Black Pepper Tofu Recipe (with Video)

Preparing the Tofu
1. Pat dry the tofu with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. Then, cut it into cubes and coat the tofu cubes evenly with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
Preparing the Stir-Fry Sauce
1. In a small bowl, mix together the ingredients for the stir-fry sauce: 2 tablespoons of light soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of dark soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of coarse grind black pepper.
2. Set aside.
Frying the Tofu
1. Heat 1/4 cup of neutral oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Once the oil is hot, add the coated tofu cubes and fry them until they turn golden brown on all sides.
3. Once fried, transfer the tofu cubes onto a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
4. Set aside.
Preparing the Aromatics
1. In the same skillet with the remaining oil, add the sliced shallot, minced garlic, minced ginger, scallion whites, and sliced red chili peppers.
2. Stir-fry for a few minutes until they become fragrant and slightly softened.
Adding the Sauce and Thickening
1. Pour the prepared stir-fry sauce into the skillet with the aromatics.
2. Bring the mixture to a light simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
3. In a small bowl, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water to create a cornstarch slurry.
4. Add the slurry to the skillet and stir well to combine.
5. Allow the sauce to simmer until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Finalizing the Dish
1. Once the sauce has thickened, add the fried tofu cubes back into the skillet.
2. Gently toss the tofu cubes in the sauce until they are evenly coated.
3. Garnish the black pepper tofu with chopped scallion greens.
Serving the Dish
1. Serve the black pepper tofu hot with steamed rice or veggies.