Crispy General Tso's Tofu Delight
Indulge in this deliciously crispy General Tso's Tofu Delight, a vegetarian twist on the classic Chinese takeout dish. Perfectly marinated firm tofu is coated in a crispy shell and sautéed to perfection, sautéed with flavorful aromatics like ginger and garlic, and tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds. Served on a bed of fluffy rice and vibrant steamed broccoli, this recipe not only satisfies your hunger but also makes for a beautiful presentation. Enjoy this one-dish meal that's perfect for both weeknight dinners and gatherings with loved ones.
N/A
Servings
180
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Firm tofu
16 ounces (Drained, pressed, and cut into 1-inch cubes)
Egg
1 (Beaten with water)
Cornstarch
3/4 cup (For coating the tofu)
Vegetable oil
As needed (For frying and sautéing)
Green onions
3 (Chopped)
Minced ginger
1 tablespoon (Freshly minced)
Minced garlic
1 tablespoon (Freshly minced)
Vegetable stock
2/3 cup (Low-sodium recommended)
Soy sauce
2 tablespoons (Low-sodium recommended)
Sugar
4 tablespoons (Granulated)
Red pepper flakes
To taste (For spice)
Sherry wine
1 tablespoon (optional) (For added flavor)
White vinegar
1 tablespoon (For acidity)
Steamed broccoli
As needed (Steamed for serving)
Instructions
1
Begin by draining the tofu and pressing it between paper towels to remove excess moisture. Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes. For a firmer texture, you can freeze the tofu overnight and then thaw it for use.
2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg with 3 tablespoons of water until well blended.
3
Dip each tofu piece into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated.
4
Sprinkle cornstarch evenly over the coated tofu, ensuring each piece is completely covered and set aside.
5
In a large skillet or frying pan, heat enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add the tofu pieces in a single layer and fry until they are golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the tofu from the pan and drain on paper towels.
6
In the same pan, drain excess oil, leaving about 3 tablespoons for the sauce. Heat the oil over medium heat and add the chopped green onions, minced ginger, and minced garlic. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring continuously to prevent the garlic from burning.
7
Add the vegetable stock, soy sauce, sugar, red pepper flakes, vinegar, and optional sherry wine to the pan. Stir well to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
8
In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of water with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch until smooth, then pour this mixture into the pan and stir to thicken the sauce for an additional minute.
9
Gently fold in the crispy tofu, ensuring each piece is well coated with the sauce.
10
Serve the General Tso's Tofu hot over steamed broccoli and your choice of rice, garnished with extra green onions if desired.
Nutrition Information
9g
Fat
20g
Carbs
8g
Protein
2g
Fiber
7.5g
Sugar
300mg
Sodium
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crispy General Tso's Tofu Delight?
It is a vegetarian twist on the classic Chinese takeout dish featuring crispy fried tofu in a sweet and spicy sauce.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is explicitly described and tagged as a vegetarian dish protein-rich meal.
What type of tofu should I use?
The recipe specifies using 16 ounces of firm tofu.
How should I prepare the tofu before cooking?
You should drain the tofu, press it between paper towels to remove excess moisture, and cut it into 1-inch cubes.
Can I improve the texture of the tofu?
Yes, for a firmer texture, you can freeze the tofu overnight and then thaw it before use.
How is the tofu coated?
The tofu is first dipped into an egg and water mixture and then sprinkled evenly with cornstarch for a crispy shell.
What is in the egg mixture?
The mixture consists of one egg whisked with 3 tablespoons of water until well blended.
How much cornstarch is needed for the coating?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of cornstarch to ensure each tofu piece is completely covered.
How do I fry the tofu?
Fry the tofu in a large skillet with vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a single layer.
How long does it take to fry the tofu?
It takes about 4-5 minutes per side until the pieces are golden brown and crispy.
What aromatics are used in the sauce?
The sauce features chopped green onions, minced ginger, and minced garlic.
How do I prevent the garlic from burning?
Cook the aromatics for about 2 minutes while stirring continuously to prevent the garlic from burning.
What liquids are used to make the General Tso's sauce?
The sauce includes vegetable stock, soy sauce, white vinegar, and optional sherry wine.
Is there sugar in the sauce?
Yes, the recipe requires 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar.
How is the sauce thickened?
It is thickened using a slurry made of 2 tablespoons of water and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.
What makes the dish spicy?
Red pepper flakes are added to the sauce according to your taste for a spicy kick.
What is the recommended serving suggestion?
Serve the tofu hot over steamed broccoli and your choice of rice.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving of this recipe contains 180 calories.
How much protein is in this dish?
There are 8 grams of protein per serving.
What is the fat content of the recipe?
The dish contains 9 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in the recipe?
There are 20 grams of carbohydrates in each serving.
Does the recipe contain fiber?
Yes, there are 2 grams of fiber per serving.
What is the sugar content per serving?
There are 7.5 grams of sugar per serving.
What is the sodium content per serving?
The dish contains 300mg of sodium per serving.
How many ingredients are required in total?
The recipe uses 14 ingredients to create the complete meal.
Is sherry wine mandatory?
No, the 1 tablespoon of sherry wine is optional for added flavor.
What type of vinegar is used?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of white vinegar for acidity.
Are there specific recommendations for the stock and soy sauce?
The recipe recommends using low-sodium versions of both vegetable stock and soy sauce.
What oil is recommended for frying?
Vegetable oil is recommended as needed for frying the tofu and sautéing the aromatics.
Can I garnish the dish?
Yes, you can garnish the final dish with extra green onions if desired.