Chinese Salt And Pepper Tofu Recipe The Curry Mommy

If you are a vegetarian and want to try a Chinese tofu dish, then give this Salt and Pepper Tofu recipe a try! It’s spiced with peppers, onions, and of course salt. The end result is a delicious 5 spice Chinese tofu recipe that is finger-licking good! I highly recommended trying this delicious crispy tofu recipe with fried rice or noodles to make it a complete meal. It also pairs well with cold beverages. A great dish to take to gatherings or enjoy on a weekend with your loved ones.

Ingredients

corn starchChinese 5 spicewhite pepper black peppersaltwhite onionjalapeno peppergarlicextra firm tofu, patted dry - (Trader Joe’s Sprouted Tofu is a great choice)green onion (scallions)

Instructions

Make the corn starch mixture by mixing the corn starch, Chinese 5 spice, black pepper, and salt together. Set it aside. Pat the tofu dry using kitchen towels or paper towels. Remove as much excess water as possible from the extra firm tofu. Then cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces and coat them in the corn starch and 5 spice mixture. Deep fry the tofu for about three minutes or until it is crisp. I love using my HexClad pans to fry in. In another pan, heat a little oil and saute the chopped white onion and jalapeno until al dente. Add the grated or chopped garlic, salt, black pepper, green onion, and white pepper. Mix quickly and then add the fried tofu pieces. Saute for about 2 minutes and serve warm.

Equipment Needed

Substitutions

Extra Firm Tofu - substitute with chicken, shrimp, or cauliflowerJalapeno- bell pepper for a less spicy versionWhite Onion- substitute with red onion

Variations

Gluten Free- This recipe is naturally gluten-free. If Celiac, be sure to use gluten-free labeled ingredients to prevent contamination.Air Fry- I do not recommend air-frying this recipe.Garlic- can used minced, chopped, or blended garlic but fresh is recommended.

Storage and Reheating

Freezer Friendly- the fried tofu pieces may be frozen for a few months Reheating- Simply air fry the fried tofu pieces until they are heated through. Then toss it with the onions, jalapenos, and spices.