General Tso’s Tofu

General Tso's Tofu

Prep time: 

Cook time: 

Total time: 

Serves: 4

Ingredients
  • 1 package of extra firm tofu
  • 1 egg
  • ¾ cup water
  • ¼ cup AP Flour
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch
  • 3 tablespoons neutral oil
  • 2 tablespoons minced ginger
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup Mirin
  • ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
  • Oil for frying tofu
  • 2 tablespoons roughly chopped toasted peanuts, for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, for garnish
  • Zest of one orange, for garnish
Directions
  1. Combine egg, AP flour and ½ cup water to make batter for frying tofu. Season batter with salt and hot sauce. It should be thin batter.
  2. Drain water from tofu package and then remove excess water from tofu by putting it between two baking sheets covered with paper towels and weighing it down with cans or a heavy pan. Then cut into ½ inch dice.
  3. Heat oil for frying in a frying pan until hot enough for frying. Coat diced tofu with batter and deep fry in hot oil in 2 to 3 batches, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer tofu to paper toweled lined plate.
  4. Combine soy sauce and corn starch, and make smooth slurry. Set aside.
  5. In a wok, heat 3 tablespoons oil until shimmering on medium high heat. Add ginger and garlic, and sauté them until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add sugar and let it caramelize until light golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Deglaze pan with mirin and vinegar. Let everything cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
  6. Add corn starch slurry and ¼ cup of water. Keep stirring and let sauce thicken, 2 to 3 minutes.. If sauce is too thick add more water. Add fried tofu and stir to coat with sauce. Let tofu cook with sauce for 3 to 4 minutes.
  7. Garnish with peanuts, orange zest and cilantro before serving. Serve with steamed rice and broccoli.