Garlic Pepper Tofu (Peeled Tofu Technique!)

Garlic Pepper Tofu (Peeled Tofu Technique!)

from thefoodietakesflight.com
Main Course
40 min
302 kcal / serving

Garlic Pepper Tofu - thin strips of tofu cooked down in a savoury sauce packed with all the garlicky and peppery goodness. I used a peeler to get thin strips of extra firm tofu that I air-fry to draw out any excess moisture and cook down in the sauce to soak up all the flavours. Adding other vegetables to the stir-fry is a great way to use up any extra produce and add in those veggies. Serve this over rice to make a delicious bowl for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

  • 10 ozextra firm tofu ( or super firm tofu (see notes
  • neutral oil
  • 1 tbspsoy sauce
  • 1 tbspveg oyster sauce
  • 2 tspdark soy sauce
  • 2 clovesgarlic (minced
  • ½ tspblack pepper
  • 1 ½ tbspmaple syrup ( or other sweetener, adjust to taste
  • 1 tbspmirin (or sake (see notes
  • 2 tbspwater
  • neutral oil
  • 6 clovesminced garlic (half for crispy garlic
  • 1green onion (chopped (green and white parts separated
  • sliced bell peppers (or other veggies of choice
  • roasted sesame oil (to finish
  • steamed rice
  • crispy garlic
  • chopped green onions (green parts
  • sesame seeds

Directions

  1. 1

    Drain the tofu from water and pat-dry or press. See notes for tips on choosing extra firm tofu.

  2. 2

    Thinly slice the tofu using a peeler. Smaller broken pieces are perfectly fine!

Air frying tofu

  1. 1

    Place the strips of tofu on your air-fryer basket. I lined mine with parchment paper.

  2. 2

    Spray or brush some oil on the tofu. Air fry for 6 mins at 350F or until lightly brown and crisp on the edges.

  3. 3

    Don’t air fry for too long since this will yield very crispy tofu that can harden when it cools. I like keeping my tofu lightly grown with white parts so they still have that nice chew and absorb sauces better when stir-frying.

  4. 4

    You may also need to cook the tofu in batches depending on the size of your air-fryer.

Don't have an airfryer?

  1. 1

    If you don't have an air-fryer, you can opt to quickly pan-fry the tofu on a non-stick pan with some oil until lightly crisp on both sides.

Prepare the sauce

  1. 1

    Meanwhile, prepare the sauce by mixing everything together. Feel free to adjust to your desired taste. Set aside

Cooking the garlic pepper tofu

  1. 1

    Heat a pan or wok with some oil. Once hot, add half of the minced garlic. Allow too cook until golden brown and crispy. Drain from the oil. Set aside.

  2. 2

    In the same pan or wok, cook the remaining garlic and white parts of the green onion. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes over medium high heat.

  3. 3

    Add in the bell peppers or any vegetables of your choice. Cook until tender.

  4. 4

    Add in the thin tofu strips. Pour over the sauce. Mix well and leave the sauce to come to a boil over medium heat.

  5. 5

    The sauce will start to thicken from the sugars. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes over medium heat or until the sauce is reduced.

  6. 6

    Taste the tofu and feel free to season with more soy sauce or sweetener, if needed.

  7. 7

    Turn off the heat. Add some sesame oil to finish. Mix well.

  8. 8

    Serve over rice. Garnish the tofu with the crispy garlic, green onions, and sesame seeds. Enjoy while hot!