Friday, August 29, 2008

Kung Pao Tofu

There are some restaurants and foods from the Bay Area that I miss terribly. One of them is Eliza's in San Francisco, which serves amazing Chinese food. Especially the Vegetarian Kung Pao with Tofu.

I thought of calling and asking for the recipe and telling them that I needed it to remain sane! :) But they are known for their rudeness and I wasn't sure they would speak to me for very long!

So I searched the Web and decided to put this recipe together on my own, trying to remember the ingredients that went into it.


Kung Pao Tofu and Broccoli
1 package Extra-Firm Tofu, sliced into bite-sized pieces
5-6 pieces of Broccoli, steamed but still firm
2 cloves Garlic, sliced
2 Spring Onions, chopped fine, green and white parts separated
1/4 cup Roasted Cashewnuts
8-10 dried Red Chillies, broken in half
1 tbsp Oil

Sauce:
Now this is the important part. I combed about 20 recipes and finally decided on Rasa Malaysia's sauce for Kung Pao Chicken.

1.5 tbsp light soy sauce
1 t dark soy sauce
1 t sugar
1/4 t black vinegar
2 T water
1 t corn starch

Toast the tofu pieces in a pan without oil, or bake in a 180 deg C oven for about 10-15 minutes until browned on all sides.


Heat about a tablespoon of peanut oil in a wok or wide pan until smoking hot. Add the garlic and give it a quick stir. Add the whites of the spring onion, stir once. Add the chillies and stir until you get a spicy aroma. Now add the cashewnuts and the broccoli. Another quick stir.

Now add the tofu and stir for a bit until everything is completely combined. Finally add the sauce. Stir until everything is coated and the sauce has thickened. Garnish with the spring onion greens.


It turned out to be great. Home made Kung Pao. I served it with steamed rice and a quick stir-fry of bok choy and sliced mushrooms.


This is off to Sia @ Monsoon Spice for JFI: Soya.

23 comments:

Ranjani said...

That looks really good!

I worked out this morning, and am ravenous now, and even though it's nowhere close to lunch time I want to chow down on that!

Unknown said...

You made me salivating,It looks so tempting Arundhati.

Arundathi said...

Ranjani - would love to send some over, sweetie.

Pearlsofeast - thank you!

Anonymous said...

oh my!! this looks awesome.....i just wonder when i will get down to making it!!

Unknown said...

Looks too good Arundathi..

Unknown said...

Looks too good Arundathi..

Pavani said...

Thats a yummy looking tofu dish. Sounds simple to make..

Deepthi Shankar said...

looks really good

Bharti said...

That looks perfect Arundathi! Next time I'm in the mood for Asian, I'll make this instead of my thrown in anything sauce.

Bhavani said...

Just had Kung Pao Tofu for lunch y-day :) I so would like to make your recipe but being the lazy bug I am, I just hop to Hangen :) ;) Yours looks good too.

Laavanya said...

That looks absolutely delicious arundathi - I am bookmarking this and trying it soon.

Arundathi said...

thanks everyone.

Bhavani, next time, forget Hangen and drive to Eliza's! :D

A_and_N said...

Hey this looks so good! :) Will try this!

Cham said...

That looks yummy with rice

Jayashree said...

I really like the fact that it sounds so easy to make.

amna said...

ahh now i know what to do with that block of tofu lying dormant in my fridge :)

Alexa said...

Arundathi,
Awesome recipe. I have to bookmark it... my husband will love it. We are always looking for new tofu recipes. Thanks!

Arundathi said...

Thanks!

Nags, do let me know how it turned out...

Siri said...

How are you lady? long time no see.:). Hope you are doin gud! the tofu dish sounds yummy Anu..:)

Hugs,
Siri

Rajani said...

will love to try this out when i get back to dubai. right now in a reasonably remote part of kerala enjoying things au natural!

Arundathi said...

Siri - Thanks babe - yeah its been a really long time - should catch up!

Rajani - How nice! Kerala is so beautiful!

my icecream does not melt said...

Hi,

Can you tell me what t means (1 t corn starch). I am a total novice in cooking but I enjoy good food.

Arundathi said...

@ my icecream does not melt - t means teaspoon and T means tablespoon. I hope that helps. Thanks for stopping by.