General Tso's Tofu

Simple
Simple
Simple
Simple
timer
0:25 m
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18
Ingredients
eco
4073
kcal

This is our plant-based take on the classic Chinese takeaway dish, General Tso's Chicken. It's named after Qing dynasty statesman and military leader, Tso Tsung-t'ang, though no one knows why as it seems unlikely that he ever tasted the dish, which is a shame because it's delicious! Crispy, sticky and sweet, this is tofu at its finest. For an extra nutty flavour, you could toast the sesame seeds briefly in a dry pan before sprinkling over the dish. This recipe is super budget-friendly as it's from our latest book BOSH! On A Budget.

Start cooking ➞

Serves

4

Ingredients

For the tofu

<item-todo-done>3 tbsp soy sauce or tamari<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1 tbsp apple cider vinegar<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>4 tbsp cornflour<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>4 tbsp vegetable oil<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1 x 280g block of firm tofu<item-todo-done>


For the jasmine rice

<item-todo-done>1 tsp fine sea salt<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>150g Jasmine rice<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>300ml cold water<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1 Jasmine tea bag - or jasmine flower<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1 star anise<item-todo-done>


For the sauce

<item-todo-done>1 tbsp cornflour<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>2 tbsp apple cider vinegar<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1 tbsp Chinese rice vinegar<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>4 garlic cloves<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>2 tbsp cane sugar - or coconut or brown sugar<item-todo-done>


To serve

<item-todo-done>1 tbsp sesame seeds<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1 tsp dried Szechuan Chillies - or chilli flakes<item-todo-done><item-todo-done> chives garnish<item-todo-done>

Before you start

Non-stick frying pan | Medium saucepan with a lid | Plate lined with kitchen paper

Marinate the tofu

  • Cut the tofu into 2cm cubes and put it in a bowl with the soy sauce and apple cider vinegar
  • Toss to coat
  • Set aside for 10 minutes

Meanwhile, make the jasmine rice

  • Rinse the rice under cold water for 1 minute
  • Tip into the saucepan and pour over the water
  • Add the tea bag or jasmine flower, star anise and salt
  • Cover and bring to the boil
  • Turn the heat down to the lowest setting and leave covered for about 12 minutes while you fry the tofu

Fry the tofu

  • Drain the tofu, setting the marinade aside for the sauce
  • Put the tofu in a clean bowl with the cornflour and toss to coat
  • Place the frying pan over a medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil
  • Fry the cubes in the hot oil until golden brown, then transfer to the plate lined with kitchen paper
  • Turn off the heat and leave the hot oil in the pan

Make the sauce

  • Peel and finely slice the garlic and add it to the tofu oil in the pan (it should sizzle and start to go brown)
  • Measure all the other sauce ingredients into a bowl
  • Pour in the leftover marinade
  • Whisk until smooth
  • Spoon a couple of large spoonfuls of starchy water from the top of the rice pan into the bowl
  • Turn the heat on to medium and pour in the sauce
  • Stir until it starts to thicken
  • Toss in the tofu and stir to coat

Serve

  • Fluff up the cooked rice with a fork and spoon it into bowls
  • Top with the tofu
  • Sprinkle over the sesame seeds and dried Szechuan chillies or chilli flakes, snip over the chives and serve
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