Home-style Tofu is a classic everyday dish. The tofu is pan-fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, then cooked with wood ear mushrooms, green peppers, and carrots in a rich, savory sauce. It’s simple to make but incredibly satisfying.
🌴 Ingredients:
· 1 block firm tofu (about 400g, cut into thick slices)
· A few wood ear mushrooms (soaked, torn into small pieces)
· 1 green bell pepper (cut into chunks)
· 1/2 carrot (sliced)
🌴 Aromatics:
· 3-4 cloves minced garlic
· A small piece of minced ginger
· 1 stalk chopped scallion
🌴 Seasonings:
· 2 tbsp light soy sauce (about 20ml)
· 1/2 tbsp dark soy sauce (about 5ml, for color)
· 1 tbsp oyster sauce (about 10ml)
· A pinch of sugar (to enhance flavor)
· 1 tbsp cornstarch (about 10g, mixed with water)
· Salt, to taste
· Cooking oil, as needed
🌴 Instructions:
- Pan-fry the Tofu
Cut the firm tofu into thick slices and pat dry with paper towels. Heat oil in a pan, add the tofu slices, and pan-fry over medium heat until golden on both sides. Remove and set aside. ⚠️ Note: Make sure to dry the tofu thoroughly, or the oil will splatter. I’ve tried it without drying, and I got burned by the oil. - Stir-fry the Vegetables
Add a little oil to the pan, sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant. Add the wood ear mushrooms, carrots, and green pepper, and stir-fry over high heat for 1 minute. ⚠️ Note: Soak the wood ear mushrooms beforehand and tear them into small pieces for better flavor. - Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, mix the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and salt. ⚠️ Note: Don’t skip the sugar; it’s the key to the flavor. - Combine and Serve
Add the fried tofu back to the pan, pour in the sauce, and stir well. Add a little hot water, cover, and simmer for 2 minutes. Thicken with cornstarch slurry, sprinkle with scallion, and serve. ⚠️ Note: Tofu breaks easily; use the back of your spatula to push gently. I’ve tried stirring too hard, and the tofu fell apart.
💡 More Savory and Satisfying Tofu Dishes:
If you enjoy this home-style tofu, you should also try my [Mapo Tofu] for another incredibly flavorful and crowd-pleasing dish.
Want to explore more? Check out my full [Home-style Dishes] category!
💡 Tips:
The key to Home-style Tofu is “crispy outside, tender inside, rich savory sauce.” Dry the tofu thoroughly before frying to prevent splattering. Pan-fry until golden for a crispy exterior. Use the back of your spatula to push gently to avoid breaking the tofu. Thicken the sauce for a rich, glossy finish.
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