Thursday 27 September 2012

TOFU PUFFS ON MIXED VEGETABLE STIR FRY


 Some people love tofu, some absolutely hate it. I belong to the tofu loving camp. What's not to like? Some don't like it's simple taste and brand it as bland. It is this simple fresh taste that makes it desirable and so versatile. It can blend in well with most dishes to add bulk, texture and nutrients.

Being Asians, we eat tofu as often as we can. The simplest way to cook it is to cut it into cubes, let it sit on kitchen paper to dry out the excess water, and fry. This can be dipped in sauces or added to stir fries. 



This recipe takes the basic fried tofu a notch higher by adding extra ingredients to mashed tofu and frying them. Although delicious on their own, they are served on stir fried mixed vegetables. The sauce enhances the flavour of the puffs. 

This is a much simplified version of the traditional Chinese dish called pipa tofu. Pipa tofu are tofu puffs much like the ones I made here but usually with a lot more ingredients. They are moulded on Chinese spoons so that they end up shaped like the Chinese string instrument called pipa. The simple ingredients make it a perfect side dish for an everyday dinner or a dinner party.


This recipe will make 4-6 servings as a side dish.

Ingredients for the tofu puffs:

200 gms. tofu
1 medium egg
2 tbsps. of corn flour
2 tbsps. green parts of spring onions, cut into thin rounds
80 gms. roughly chopped raw prawns
1 tbsp. light soy sauce
1/2 tsp. sesame oil
cooking oil for shallow frying

Method:

Mash the tofu with a fork. Transfer to a strainer to remove excess water. 

In a mixing bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients (except for the cooking oil) with the tofu.

Heat up enough oil for shallow frying in a pan. 

You will need a heatproof Chinese spoon to shape the tofu puffs.

When the oil is hot, dip the Chinese spoon in the hot oil. Fill the spoon with the mixture then invert into the hot oil. Fry for about 2 minutes on each side until golden brown and puffed.

This mixture will make 10-12 puffs.

Ingredients for the stir fry:

1 1/2 tbsps. oil
1 carrot, sliced thinly, on the diagonal
1 tsp. chopped garlic
about 8 pcs. asparagus tips, cut into 1 1/2" length, on the slant
75 gms. oyster mushrooms
1 tbsp. oyster sauce
1 1/2 tsp. corn flour dispersed in 1/2 c. water
1/2 tsp. sesame oil

Method:

Heat up a clean wok.  When hot, add the oil.

Add the carrot slices and stir fry on high heat for about 1 minute or until the carrot changes to a lighter colour. 

Add in the chopped garlic and asparagus and stir fry again for 2 minutes. 

Add in the oyster mushrooms and oyster sauce and fry for another minute.

Lastly, add the sesame oil and the corn flour dispersed in water while stirring. Cook until the sauce is thickened. 

Transfer to a serving dish and top with the fried tofu puffs. Serve hot.

All rights reserved ©Adora's Box Copyright 2011. 

Please support Adora's Box by making your Amazon.com and mymemories.com (use the code STMMMS55174) purchases from this site. Click on their respective banners to proceed to their websites. It will not cost you a single cent more but will help sustain this blog. Thank you.

You might also like 

Squid Puffs
Mapo Tofu
Beef and Shitake Mushrooms on Tenderstem Broccoli
Crab and Salmon Puffs
Thanks for dropping by. It would be nice if we could meet up on FACEBOOK or TWITTER

6 comments:

  1. Tofu is my favourite, be it steam, stir-fry, deep fried, or tofu stuffing, they are yummy to me! Here in Msia, we can get various types of tofu, round one, square soft or semi hard, egg tofu, etc. Your tofu stir fry with mixed vegetable is one for me; because I like the way the combine of tofu and other ingredients in to deep fry. Must be delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  2. looks wonderful deliciously done lovely flavourful combination

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tofu is something my whole family loves! This dish will definitely be a hit at our dinner table!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love tofu, but the hubby - not so much. However, I love the way you mashed up the tofu and fried it with onion and seasoning! I think even the hubby would love these. Love the addition of the veggies!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I like tofu especially when I'm on a diet. Its healthy and taste good. Its truly a meat substitute. This recipe is amazing.
    sydney airport transfers

    ReplyDelete
  6. Growing up in Japan, where tofu is very common food almost like rice, I didn't know there are people who dislike tofu until I came to the US. I mean, I didn't know tofu was available here first, but like you said, I wasn't sure what to dislike about. Maybe the unfamiliar and bland taste, and texture. Since everything about tofu is just ordinary food, I remembered I thought it's interesting how we feel about certain ingredients depending on how we grow up. I LOVE these tofu puffs! And the stir fry sauce with corn starch.. it always goes well with tofu. Healthy delicious food!!

    ReplyDelete

Did you like this post? I'd love to hear your thoughts...

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.