{"id":5074,"date":"2011-03-14T15:23:57","date_gmt":"2011-03-14T22:23:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/?p=5074"},"modified":"2020-08-29T14:18:51","modified_gmt":"2020-08-29T21:18:51","slug":"kung-pao-tofu-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/kung-pao-tofu-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Kung Pao Tofu"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Kung<\/a><\/p>\n

I first made this deliciously spicy, sweet, savory Kung Pao Tofu last year when I decided to get on board with the Meatless Monday<\/a> movement and cut out meat once a week.<\/p>\n

Did you know that cutting out meat just one day a week can reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease while saving precious resources like fresh water and fossil fuel? Think about it: by reducing your meat consumption by 15%. you not only improve your personal health, but the health of the planet as well AND, it will challenge you to venture into the vegetarian or vegan realm and get creative.<\/p>\n

Go to MeatlessMonday.com<\/a> for more information, recipes, and to find out what health institutions, the media, chefs like Mario Batali, celebs like Oprah, and movers and shakers such as Michael Pollan and Wendy Murdoch (Rupert’s better half) have to say.<\/p>\n

How to Make Kung Pao Tofu<\/h2>\n

Start with Oven-Crisped Tofu<\/h3>\n

But first, are you ready to put the\u00a0POW<\/strong><\/span> on some tofu? Check out my vegetarian take on a classic Chinese favorite: Kung Pao Tofu! This dish takes a bit more preparation because it calls for crisping the tofu first, but it’s totally worth it. It’s also important to have all your ingredients in place because, as with any stir fry, once you heat the wok or skillet the cooking part goes lightning fast!<\/p>\n

\"Kung<\/a><\/p>\n

Kung Pao Tofu Recipe<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/div>
\n\t
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\"Kung<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\tPrint<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t
Kung Pao Tofu<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tCourse:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tMain, Main Dish\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tKeyword:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tKung Pao, tofu\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\tAuthor<\/span>: Adapted from The Passionate Vegetarian\u00a0<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t
Ingredients<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTbsp<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvegetable oil, preferably peanut oil<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tred pepper flakes<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTbsp<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tginger, finely chopped or zested*<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttsp<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tgarlic, minced<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1\/2 <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpound <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tgreen beans<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1\/2<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcup<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twater<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbunch<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tscallions<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1\/3 <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcup<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tpeanuts*<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t \t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
    Kung Pao Sauce<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2\/3<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcup<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tlow sodium vegetable stock<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTbsp<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttamari or low sodium sauce*<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTbsp<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmirin (Japanese rice wine) or dry sherry<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTbsp<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\thoney<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTbsp<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcorn starch<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOven-baked Tofu (see below)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t \t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      Oven-baked Tofu<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t12<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tounces <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfirm tofu<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcloves<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tgarlic, crushed<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTbsp<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmirin (Japanese rice wine) or dry sherry<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTbsp <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tcorn starch<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdash of salt and several grinds of pepper<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t \t \t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t
        Instructions<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        1. \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

          As the tofu bakes, combine the stock, soy sauce, mirin, honey, and cornstarch and whisk to break up lumps.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

        2. \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

          Prepare all the ingredients\u00a0and place next to the stove.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

        3. \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

          Place the vegetable oil in the seasoned wok or skillet over high heat. Let it get very, very hot \u00a0- it will be fragrant with a glazed, swirly look on top. Add the red pepper flakes and stir-fry for one minute.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

        4. \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

          Add the ginger and garlic, and stir-fry for 10-20 seconds. Add the green beans or asparagus, stir-fry for 10 seconds, then add the water and immediately put the lid on. Let steam over very high heat until veggies are crisp-tender and the water has almost evaporated - 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the lid, allow any remaining water to boil off. Toss in the green onions, stir-fry for 2o seconds.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

        5. \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

          Stir the sauce mixture to re-blend and pour into the hot pan. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce becomes a clear, thick glaze - about 30 seconds. Add the oven-baked tofu and honey roasted peanuts. Serve immediately, over rice (preferably brown rice)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

        6. \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

          Stir the sauce mixture to re-blend and pour into the hot pan. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce becomes a clear, thick glaze - about 30 seconds. Add the oven-baked tofu and honey roasted peanuts. Serve immediately, over rice (preferably brown rice).<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ol>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
          For the Tofu:<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
          1. \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

            The tofu can be prepared the day before, but at least one hour before you plan to bake the tofu, combine the ingredients in a bowl, stirring well. \u00a0Slice the tofu cake into quarters, cut into \u00bd inch wide strips, then cut those in half. Place in bowl with sauce and toss to coat. \u00a0Let stand for at least 40 minutes at room temperature.<\/p>

            Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray.<\/p>

            Lay the marinated tofu on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake until browned and lightly crisped on the bottom, 10-15 minutes. Turn pieces and bake another 5-10 minutes. While the tofu is baking, prepare the ingredients for Kung Pao Tofu below.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ol>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

            \n\t\t
            Recipe Notes<\/div>\n\t\t

            *Notes: For even less sodium, I use Coconut Aminos which can be found at Whole Foods or other natural food stores. I use a microplane to zest ginger - it's quick and leaves you the fresh ginger minus the fibrous texture. I made my own honey-roasted peanuts by tossing them with a tablespoon of organic honey and roasting in the oven after removing the tofu. Turn the oven off and roast in the remaining heat, check after about 5 minutes, turn the nuts and roast for\u00a0 5-10 more minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

             <\/p>\n

            \"honey<\/a><\/p>\n

            Great to snack on too! Add a little sriracha or hot sauce to the honey for sweet & spicy.<\/p>\n

            \"Kung<\/a><\/p>\n

            For best results when stir-frying – have everything cut and ready to go! Mise en place<\/em>\u00a0is both a French term and a method. \u00a0It means “put to place” and is the arrangement of all the prepared ingredients in bowls on the counter or on a tray so that they are ready to go.<\/p>\n

            \"Kung<\/a><\/p>\n

            Published in 2002, the Passionate Vegetarian<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/em>, by Crescent Dragonwagon, is one of my go-to cookbooks and a sentimental favorite as Crescent was an exciting restauranteur and person of influence in my hometown during the 80’s and 90’s. The Passionate Vegetarian is a bountiful cookbook whose 1000+ pages will captivate you with engaging storytelling and healthy, exciting, imaginative, and deeply satisfying vegetarian cuisine.<\/p>\n

            \"Kung<\/p>\n