Bean Curd and Mixed Vegetables!

I've posted this in the past but not in a while so I thought I would re-post it. This is one of my favorite Asian recipes. It is really easy to make and really delicious (and nutritious, too). The only difference in the recipe pictured and the one written below is that I used a variety of vegetables (instead of just broccoli) and didn't blanch them before stir-frying. Anyhow if you are a carnivore you wont even miss it not having meat (well, maybe).

Broccoli and Bean Curd with Ginger, Garlic, and Hot Peppers

Yield: 4 servings

4 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

1 tablespoon sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

4 heads broccoli, cut into florets

12 ounces firm tofu, sliced into 1-inch pieces

1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)

1 small onion, sliced

1 red bell pepper, julienned

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon minced ginger

1 teaspoon crushed hot pepper

1-1/2 cups chicken broth

In a small bowl combine the soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch. Mix to dissolve the cornstarch and set aside. Par-cook the broccoli boiling water, then drain it and cool it under cold running water. Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Carefully add the tofu and cook it on both sides until golden brown. Remove the tofu and transfer to absorbent paper. Carefully pour most of the oil into a separate pan (or other safe container), leaving just enough oil to stir fry in. Heat the pan and add the onion and bell pepper. Sauté the vegetables until they begin to caramelize. Add the garlic, ginger, and hot peppers. Sauté for another minute or two. Stir in the chicken broth; bring it to a boil, than stir in the soy-cornstarch mixture. Bring it to a simmer, then add the broccoli and bean curd. Stir and toss it to evenly coat it with sauce. Continue to heat the pan just until the broccoli is heated throughout.

Urban Simplicity.