Description
A Chinese-American dish served at take out restaurants substitutes chicken with tofu for a protein-packed meal. Serve with rice to gather the sweet sauce.
Ingredients
Crispy Tofu:
- Firm or Extra-firm Tofu – 1 16oz. pkg, drained
- Low sodium Soy sauce – 2tsp
- Rice Vinegar – 2tsp
- Rice Wine (or Mirin) – 1tsp
- Oil – 1tsp
- Garlic – 1 cloves, finely minced
- Ginger – ½” piece, finely grated
- Cornstarch – 1tbsp
For the Sauce:
- Low sodium vegetable broth – ½cup
- Sugar – 2tbsp
- Low sodium Soy sauce – 1½tbsp
- Rice Wine (Mirin) – 4tsp
- Rice Vinegar – 2tsp
- Sesame Oil – 2tsp
- Corn Starch – 2tsp
- Tomato paste – 1½tsp
- Sambal Oelek chili paste – ½tsp (optional)
- Oil – 2tsp
- Green Onions – 4, green parts chopped
- Garlic – 1 clove, finely minced
- Grated – ½”, finely grated
Accompaniments:
- Broccoli – 2cups
- White or Brown Rice – 2cups (I made Shanghai Fried Rice)
Instructions
To make Crispy Tofu:
- Cut tofu into 2 slabs. Wrap tofu slabs in paper towel and place between 2 cutting boards. Put some weight like soup cans or cast iron pan, on top of the cutting board and press for 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours).
- In a resealable container, combine soy sauce, vinegar, mirin, oil, garlic and ginger. Add tofu and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Sift cornstarch over tofu and turn to coat evenly. Spread tofu on baking sheet.
- Baking 30~40 minutes or until firm and crispy, turning several times to brown all sides.
To make General Tso’s Sauce:
- Whisk together broth, sugar, soy sauce, mirin, vinegar, sesame oil, corn starch, tomato paste, sambal oelek (if using) in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Heat 1tbsp oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add green onions, garlic and ginger, stir fry 1 minute. Add broth mixture and cook for 1 more minute, or until thickened.
- Stir in tofu. Mix well and cook for 1~2 minutes.
- Serve with steamed broccoli and rice.
- Category: Main
- Cuisine: Vegetarian, Chinese-American