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Sichuan Silken Tofu

Why order takeout when you can create classic Chinese flavors so easily at home?

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 2 to 3

Ingredients

1 cake silken or soft tofu (about 16 ounces)
3 scallions
1 cup water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon dark sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon rice vinegar, cider vinegar, or white vinegar
1 teaspoon peanut oil or vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon Chinese chili paste
1/2 cup sliced snow peas or frozen green peas (optional)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes and set aside. Chop the scallions (about 1/2 cup). In a bowl, whisk the water, cornstarch, salt, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and vinegar until well blended.

    Step 2

    Warm a skillet or saucepan on medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the oil and then the chili paste, sizzle for a few seconds, and then stir in the cornstarch-water mixture. Stir until the sauce simmers and thickens, about 2 minutes. Add the chopped scallions and the peas, if using. Gently stir in the tofu cubes and cook until heated through.

  2. Ingredient Note

    Step 3

    Silken tofu gives this dish a custardy consistency that some of us really like, but it’s a little bit tricky to work with. It’s slippery and hard to cut into neat cubes, so don’t worry if some fall apart. Soft tofu is a little easier to cut into cubes, and some people prefer the texture.

  3. Serving & menu ideas

    Step 4

    Serve the tofu on a bed of rice or udon noodles, with Pan-Asian Slaw (page 212) or a steamed green vegetable on the side.

Cover of the cookbook Moosewood Simple Suppers with a red floral motif.
From Moosewood Restaurant Simple Suppers: Fresh Ideas for the Weeknight Table. Copyright Ā© 2017 by Moosewood Collective. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC. Buy the full book from ThriftBooks or Amazon.
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