August 20, 2020

Easy Tofu Stir Fry

There are summer days when I just don’t have much apetite or energy to cook. I prefer to eat something light and easy but still bursting with flavour. Cabbage and pressed tofu stir fry is great because it is so versatile. It can be eaten hot or cold with just a a few minor adaptations to the recipe.

Easy Tofu Stir Fry paired with a beautiful white wine.

Cabbage and Tofu Stir Fry Recipe

Ingredients
1 small head of cabbage
2 pieces of firm tofu
2 garlic cloves, chopped
3 tablespoons of Chinese mustard pickles 榨菜
1 teaspoon of light soy sauce
Salt to taste
A few dry chili peppers (optional)
Oil for frying

Cooking Method
1. Wash and cut cabbage to bite size pieces.

Cabbage and Tofu should be cut about the same size.

2. Add cooking oil to a pan. When oil is hot, add in the 2 pieces of tofu. Fry on both sides until a little brown. Take out of the pan. Cool slightly and cut them into bite size pieces.

3. In a hot pan or wok, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of cooking oil.

4. Add garlic ( and chili), lightly fry over high heat. Add pickles.

I like using a mixture of different dried chillies. This is optional.

The mustard pickles I bought comes in a package precut. I think it is much more hygienic then buying a whole head of mustard to cut myself.

5. Add cabbage, a little at a time. Stir fry and toss the wok in a upward forward motion. You want to keep the wok very hot or the cabbage will end up steaming instead of being stir fried. Keep moving the cabbage constantly

5. When cabbage has soften but still firm, add in tofu pieces and soy sauce. Cook and toss lightly with the cabbage. Be gentle to avoid breaking the tofu.

6. Salt to taste and serve.

Easy Tofu stir fry with Cabbage. You can experiment with various firm vegetables too.

Cold Stir Fry Recipe

Cook as above. 
Cool and place in the fridge. 
When ready to eat. Remove from fridge.

Add
2 teaspoons of soy sauce,
2 teaspoons of sesame oil
2 teaspoons of sesame seeds.
1/4 cup of chopped green onion.

Toss it all together and serve.

Try this delicious crab recipe. It is delicious !   Fiery Pepper Crabs

Hints for Making a Good Stir Fry

Stir Frying is a very fast cooking method where everything is toss around in a wok. Use a big pan if you do not have a wok. If the pan is too small, the vegetable will sit on top of one another which steame the vegetables instead, making it soggy.
Always use enough oil when stir frying. By coating everything lightly with oil and cooking over high heat , it can brings out a very desirable smoky flavour and aroma.
Cutting everything the same size will ensure everything is cooked evenly.