Thai Black Pepper and Garlic Tofu
Ingredients:
Tofu and Seasoning:
1 14 ounce package extra-firm tofu
1 tablespoon soy sauce (or gluten-free tamari)
2 tablespoons water
2 large cloves garlic, pressed
1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
Vegetables:
1 small onion, halved and sliced into thin wedges
1 large bell pepper, sliced
6 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
*1 1-inch ginger, minced
3 ounces shiitake mushrooms, sliced (used white mushrooms)
8 ounces kale (about 1 bunch), stems removed and leaves thinly sliced (used baby kale & spinach)
*2 cups CSA green peas, trimmed
*1/2 lb. ground pork plus 1 clove minced garlic & 1 tbsp. soy sauce
*black sesame seeds, garnish
Sauce:
1 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce (or gluten-free tamari)
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1 teaspoon sriracha or other chile sauce (or to taste)
1/2 to 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
2 teaspoons cornstarch
Cut the tofu into 1/2-inch slices. Gently press each slice between paper towels to remove some of the moisture. Then cut each slice into rectangles. Place into a ziplock bag. Combine tofu seasoning in a small bowl and pour over tofu. Seal bag and gently turn it over until tofu is completely covered in seasoning. (You can do this ahead of time and allow the tofu to marinate for a stronger flavor, but it’s not mandatory.)
Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet or dish with parchment paper. (A silicon mat will also work, but parchment on a rimmed metal baking sheet yields the crispiest tofu with no sticking.) Place the tofu on the parchment in a single layer along with the marinade. Bake for 15 minutes. Turn gently and bake for another 15 minutes. Remove from oven.
While the tofu is cooking, chop all the vegetables and combine the sauce ingredients in a small bowl. About 10 minutes before tofu is done, preheat a large, deep non-stick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Spray or rub it with oil if you wish, but this is optional. Have about a half cup of water or broth standing by. Cook ground pork until brown. Add the onion, ginger and cook for a couple of minutes until it begins to become translucent. Add a tablespoon of water or broth if it starts to stick. Add the bell pepper and stir-fry for another minute. Then add the garlic and mushrooms and cook another two minutes, adding liquid by the tablespoon if needed.
Stir in the kale, add about 2 tablespoons of liquid, and cover quickly. After a minute, stir and add liquid if necessary. Cook covered for another minute and then add the asparagus and a little more liquid. Cover and cook until asparagus is tender-crisp, about 2 minutes. Add the sauce and cook until it is heated through. Serve the vegetables with tofu on top, or stir the tofu into the vegetables and serve over rice or pasta. Garnish with black sesame seeds.
*If you ask me a few years ago if I like tofu I wouldn’t think of eating it but I realize it’s how you cook and marinate it. Just like any meat, best of all tofu soaks up everything. I added ground pork, green peas from my CSA and more sriracha because super love spicy food. enJOY!!!!
Source: Fat Free Vegan Kitchen Sinlessly Delicious
