Name: Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic Sauce
Ingredients: Extra-Firm Tofu (1 block, about 14-16 oz): The star of the show, providing a protein-rich and satisfying base. Extra-firm tofu holds its shape well during stir-frying and absorbs flavors beautifully.; Vegetable Oil (2-3 tablespoons): For stir-frying, choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. This prevents sticking and ensures even cooking.; Garlic (6-8 cloves, minced): The heart of the garlic sauce, providing pungent and savory flavor. Freshly minced garlic is key for the best taste.; Ginger (1 tablespoon, minced): Adds a warm, spicy, and aromatic depth to the sauce, complementing the garlic perfectly. Fresh ginger is recommended for optimal flavor.; Soy Sauce (1/4 cup): The umami backbone of the sauce, providing saltiness and depth of flavor. Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the salt level if desired.; Oyster Sauce (2 tablespoons): Adds a rich, savory, and slightly sweet umami flavor to the sauce, enhancing its complexity. For a vegan option, use vegetarian oyster sauce made from mushrooms.; Rice Vinegar (2 tablespoons): Provides a touch of acidity to balance the richness of the soy sauce and oyster sauce, adding brightness to the overall flavor profile.; Brown Sugar (1 tablespoon): Adds a hint of sweetness and helps to thicken the sauce, creating a beautiful glaze. Light or dark brown sugar can be used.; Cornstarch (1 tablespoon): Used as a thickening agent to create a glossy and luscious sauce that coats the tofu and vegetables perfectly.; Water (1/4 cup): Used to create the sauce base and helps to dissolve the cornstarch and sugar.; Sesame Oil (1 teaspoon): Added at the end to impart a nutty aroma and flavor, enhancing the overall stir-fry experience. Toasted sesame oil is recommended for maximum flavor.; Green Onions (2-3 stalks, chopped): For garnish, adding a fresh, mild oniony flavor and vibrant color to the finished dish.; Optional Vegetables (1-2 cups, chopped): Customize your stir-fry with your favorite vegetables. Broccoli florets, bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), snap peas, carrots, mushrooms, and baby corn are all excellent choices.

Ingredients

Extra-Firm Tofu (1 block, about 14-16 oz): The star of the show, providing a protein-rich and satisfying base. Extra-firm tofu holds its shape well during stir-frying and absorbs flavors beautifully.
Vegetable Oil (2-3 tablespoons): For stir-frying, choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. This prevents sticking and ensures even cooking.
Garlic (6-8 cloves, minced): The heart of the garlic sauce, providing pungent and savory flavor. Freshly minced garlic is key for the best taste.
Ginger (1 tablespoon, minced): Adds a warm, spicy, and aromatic depth to the sauce, complementing the garlic perfectly. Fresh ginger is recommended for optimal flavor.
Soy Sauce (1/4 cup): The umami backbone of the sauce, providing saltiness and depth of flavor. Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the salt level if desired.
Oyster Sauce (2 tablespoons): Adds a rich, savory, and slightly sweet umami flavor to the sauce, enhancing its complexity. For a vegan option, use vegetarian oyster sauce made from mushrooms.
Rice Vinegar (2 tablespoons): Provides a touch of acidity to balance the richness of the soy sauce and oyster sauce, adding brightness to the overall flavor profile.
Brown Sugar (1 tablespoon): Adds a hint of sweetness and helps to thicken the sauce, creating a beautiful glaze. Light or dark brown sugar can be used.
Cornstarch (1 tablespoon): Used as a thickening agent to create a glossy and luscious sauce that coats the tofu and vegetables perfectly.
Water (1/4 cup): Used to create the sauce base and helps to dissolve the cornstarch and sugar.
Sesame Oil (1 teaspoon): Added at the end to impart a nutty aroma and flavor, enhancing the overall stir-fry experience. Toasted sesame oil is recommended for maximum flavor.
Green Onions (2-3 stalks, chopped): For garnish, adding a fresh, mild oniony flavor and vibrant color to the finished dish.
Optional Vegetables (1-2 cups, chopped): Customize your stir-fry with your favorite vegetables. Broccoli florets, bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), snap peas, carrots, mushrooms, and baby corn are all excellent choices.

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Instructions

Prepare the Tofu: Begin by pressing the tofu to remove excess water. This crucial step ensures the tofu will crisp up nicely during stir-frying and absorb the delicious garlic sauce. Wrap the tofu block in several layers of paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Place a heavy object on top, such as a cast iron skillet or a few cookbooks, and let it press for at least 20-30 minutes. The longer you press, the firmer the tofu will become and the better it will brown. After pressing, cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes, about 1-inch in size. Uniformly sized cubes will cook evenly.
Prepare the Garlic Sauce: While the tofu is pressing, prepare the flavorful garlic sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce (or vegetarian oyster sauce), rice vinegar, brown sugar, cornstarch, and water. Whisk until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and the sauce is smooth. Set the sauce aside. Having the sauce ready beforehand will streamline the stir-frying process, as everything moves quickly once you start cooking.
Stir-Fry the Tofu: Heat vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Make sure the wok or skillet is hot before adding the tofu to prevent sticking. Once the oil is shimmering hot, carefully add the cubed tofu in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this will steam the tofu instead of stir-frying it. If necessary, stir-fry the tofu in batches. Stir-fry the tofu for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until it is golden brown and crispy on all sides. Crispy tofu is key to a satisfying stir-fry. Remove the stir-fried tofu from the wok or skillet and set aside.
Sauté Garlic and Ginger: In the same wok or skillet, add a bit more vegetable oil if needed. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and minced ginger to the hot oil. Sauté for about 30-60 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic and ginger; they should be fragrant but not browned or bitter. The aroma of garlic and ginger at this stage is incredibly enticing and sets the foundation for the delicious sauce.
Add Optional Vegetables (If Using): If you are using vegetables, add them to the wok or skillet with the garlic and ginger. Stir-fry the vegetables for 3-5 minutes, or until they are tender-crisp. The cooking time will depend on the type of vegetables you are using. Harder vegetables like broccoli and carrots will take longer than softer vegetables like snap peas and bell peppers. Stir-fry until the vegetables are cooked but still retain a slight crunch.
Pour in the Garlic Sauce: Pour the prepared garlic sauce into the wok or skillet with the garlic, ginger, and vegetables (if using). Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring constantly. The sauce will thicken quickly as the cornstarch activates. Stirring constantly prevents the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the wok and ensures it thickens evenly.
Return Tofu to the Wok: Once the garlic sauce has thickened and is glossy, return the stir-fried tofu to the wok or skillet. Gently toss the tofu to coat it evenly with the flavorful garlic sauce. Ensure every piece of tofu is nicely coated in the luscious sauce.
Finish and Serve: Cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the tofu to heat through and absorb even more of the sauce. Stir in the sesame oil for added aroma and flavor. Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped green onions. Serve immediately over hot cooked rice, noodles, or quinoa. Enjoy your delicious and satisfying Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic Sauce! Serving immediately ensures the tofu remains crispy and the vegetables are perfectly tender-crisp.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 350
Fat: 20g
Protein: 20g