Thai Style Chili Tofu
Thai food was something I ate first after coming to US. And I liked it for the similarities with Indian food. I tasted tofu for the first time and it was love at first site. If I remember correctly it was in the Tom Yum or one of those soups. I started buying it immediately. I used it in chapati dough, in palak tofu instead of paneer), in kababs, in soups. I even experimented with Thai curries for a little while and then stopped as I did not want to buy every little sauce and fill up my pantry. But I kept making tandoori tofu and fried rice.
We recently visited our dear friend Anil and he made his signature dish for us. I watched him make it from start to finish. It was simple and very easy to make. I think chopping takes more time that actual cooking. After coming back I experimented with it and turned out great. Here is what I did -
We recently visited our dear friend Anil and he made his signature dish for us. I watched him make it from start to finish. It was simple and very easy to make. I think chopping takes more time that actual cooking. After coming back I experimented with it and turned out great. Here is what I did -
1 block Organic Extra Firm Tofu
1 large Red Bell Pepper
1 large Green Bell Pepper
1 large Red Onion
4-5 cloves Garlic
2 tsp Red Chili Flakes (adjust according to taste)
3-4 tbsp Soy Sauce
2 tbsp Oil
1 cup Thai Basil leaves (packed)
salt per taste
Preparation -
Cut the tofu block into 1"X0.5"X0.5" sized pieces.
Remove stem and seeds of bell peppers and cut in large pieces.
Cut onion in thick slices.
Crush and chop garlic.
Now spread 1 tbsp oil in a flat thick bottom pan. Heat it and arrange cut tofu in a single layer. Let one side cook for 5-7 minutes on medium heat. Carefully turn over and cook the other side.
Remove tofu to a plate and set aside.
Heat remaining oil and add choped garlic. Let it sizzle. Then add sliced onion saute it on high heat until the onion is translucent while stirring constantly.
Add cut bell peppers and fry them for few minutes. Now add tofu and lower the heat and add chili pepper flakes and soy sauce. Tore the basil leaves and add it to the pan too.
Now mix it well and saute for 3-4 minutes. Taste and adjust salt.
Serve warm with steamed rice.
Tips -
Remove stem and seeds of bell peppers and cut in large pieces.
Cut onion in thick slices.
Crush and chop garlic.
Now spread 1 tbsp oil in a flat thick bottom pan. Heat it and arrange cut tofu in a single layer. Let one side cook for 5-7 minutes on medium heat. Carefully turn over and cook the other side.
Remove tofu to a plate and set aside.
Heat remaining oil and add choped garlic. Let it sizzle. Then add sliced onion saute it on high heat until the onion is translucent while stirring constantly.
Add cut bell peppers and fry them for few minutes. Now add tofu and lower the heat and add chili pepper flakes and soy sauce. Tore the basil leaves and add it to the pan too.
Now mix it well and saute for 3-4 minutes. Taste and adjust salt.
Serve warm with steamed rice.
Tips -
- All the vegetables should be crunchy and partially cooked
- You can use thick soy sauce and chili paste if you wish.
- You can also use Thai peanut sauce as my friend did. I did not put any.
That's pretty much how I make my stir frys with tofu, except I add some chili sauce and sometimes a tomato.
ReplyDeleteIt is funny that you have a tofu post today. I just uploaded one, much simpler one. But more than that I think you will like the earlier one, where I made tofy at home from soybeans! I still can't believe I did it!
Mind reader, I tell ya.
ReplyDeleteThis week's CSA bag netted a huge bunch of Thai basil. Wanted something something beyond the coconut-curry type thingy!
Thanks!
hmm quite simple..can go well as starters too. can rename as our indian chinese style Tofu chili ;)
ReplyDelete