Spicy Shrimp and Tofu Stir-Fry with Yellow Rice
This vibrant stir-fry dish combines succulent small shrimp and protein-packed firm tofu, creating a delightful balance of flavors and textures. Seasoned with aromatic ginger, garlic, and a kick of chili, this dish is both spicy and savory, making it a perfect showcase for fresh, high-quality ingredients. Served over a bed of fluffy yellow rice, it presents a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Enjoy a taste of Asia at home with this quick and healthy recipe that's perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Shrimp
1 lb (Fresh, small size, shells removed and deveined)
Coarse Salt
5 teaspoons (For seasoning the shrimp)
Egg White
1 (Added to marinate shrimp)
Tapioca Starch
2 tablespoons + 1 tablespoon (Used to coat shrimp and thicken sauce)
Sesame Oil
4 teaspoons (For sautéing and drizzling at the end)
Granulated Sugar
1 teaspoon + ½ teaspoon (For balancing flavors)
White Pepper
1 dash (For seasoning)
Firm Tofu
16 ounces (Cut into small cubes)
Chicken Stock
1/3 cup (Or substitute with can of wonton or chicken powder)
Light Soy Sauce
1 tablespoon (For seasoning)
Rice Wine
1 tablespoon (For flavor enhancement)
Bean Sauce
1 tablespoon (Amoy Sichuan Spicy Noodle Sauce or similar)
Garlic
½ tablespoon (Chopped)
Chili Paste with Garlic
½ tablespoon
Chili Pepper Flakes
1/8 teaspoon (optional)
Scallions
2 (Sliced diagonally)
Peanut Oil
4 tablespoons (For frying)
Grated Ginger
1 tablespoon (For sautéing)
Cooked Rice
2 cups plus (Optional yellow or white rice to serve)
Instructions
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1. Begin by preparing the shrimp. Remove the shells and devein the shrimp by cutting a slit along the back. Place the shrimp in a bowl, add 2 teaspoons of coarse salt, mix thoroughly, then rinse under cold water. Repeat the process with another 2 teaspoons of salt and pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Set aside.
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2. In the same bowl, combine the rinsed shrimp with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 egg white, 1 tablespoon of tapioca starch, ½ teaspoon of sugar, 2 teaspoons of sesame oil, and a dash of white pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, allowing the shrimp to marinate.
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3. While the shrimp is marinating, cut the firm tofu into small cubes, approximately 1 to 1½ inches in size. Set aside.
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4. Clean the scallions (spring onions) and slice them on the diagonal into ½-inch pieces. Set aside.
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5. In a cup, whisk together the chicken stock, soy sauce, rice wine, bean sauce, chopped garlic, chili paste, chili pepper flakes (if using), ½ teaspoon of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of tapioca starch. Mix well and set aside.
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6. Heat a large Teflon pan or wok over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of peanut oil, and when hot, add the cubed tofu. Use a spatula to gently separate and turn the tofu cubes, cooking until they are golden brown on all sides, about 10 minutes total. Remove the tofu and drain on paper towels.
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7. In the same pan, add another 2 tablespoons of peanut oil. Once heated, toss in grated ginger and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then add the marinated shrimp and stir-fry until they're just turning pink, ensuring you don’t overcook them.
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8. Gently return the crispy tofu to the pan, being careful not to break it apart. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes, incorporating both shrimp and tofu.
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9. Re-stir the stock mixture and carefully pour it into the pan. Stir-fry everything together for another minute, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and coat the shrimp and tofu without breaking them apart.
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10. Drizzle the remaining 2 teaspoons of sesame oil over the stir-fry, then add the sliced scallions. Toss carefully to combine all the ingredients well.
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11. Serve the stir-fry over a bed of yellow or white rice arranged around the edges of a large plate, with the shrimp and tofu mixture in the center. Enjoy your delicious Asian-inspired meal!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main proteins used in this stir-fry?
The dish features small shrimp and firm tofu as the primary protein sources.
What type of tofu is recommended for this recipe?
Firm tofu is required so that it can be cubed and fried without breaking apart.
How should the tofu be prepared before cooking?
The firm tofu should be cut into small cubes, approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in size.
How long does it take to cook the tofu?
The tofu takes about 10 minutes total to become golden brown on all sides when fried in peanut oil.
What is the unique cleaning process for the shrimp?
The shrimp are rinsed twice with coarse salt and cold water to ensure they are clean and have a better texture.
How long should the shrimp be marinated?
The shrimp should be marinated in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
What ingredients are in the shrimp marinade?
The marinade consists of egg white, tapioca starch, salt, sugar, sesame oil, and white pepper.
What type of starch is used for coating and thickening?
Tapioca starch is used both in the shrimp marinade and as a thickener for the stir-fry sauce.
What are the components of the stir-fry sauce?
The sauce includes chicken stock, soy sauce, rice wine, bean sauce, garlic, chili paste, chili flakes, sugar, and tapioca starch.
What can be substituted for chicken stock?
You can use a can of wonton soup or chicken powder as a substitute for the chicken stock.
What kind of bean sauce is suggested for this recipe?
Amoy Sichuan Spicy Noodle Sauce or a similar spicy bean sauce is recommended.
How much ginger is used in the dish?
The recipe calls for one tablespoon of grated ginger.
How long should the ginger be sautéed?
The ginger should be sautéed in hot peanut oil for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant.
What oil is best for frying the ingredients?
Peanut oil is recommended for both frying the tofu and sautéing the shrimp.
How should the scallions be sliced?
The scallions should be cleaned and sliced diagonally into half-inch pieces.
When is the sesame oil added to the dish?
Sesame oil is used twice: once in the marinade and again as a final drizzle at the end of cooking.
What kind of rice is suggested for serving?
The dish is traditionally served over fluffy yellow rice, though white rice is also an option.
How is the dish presented on the plate?
The rice is arranged around the edges of a large plate with the shrimp and tofu mixture placed in the center.
Is this recipe considered spicy?
Yes, it is a spicy dish containing chili paste, optional chili pepper flakes, and spicy bean sauce.
How much coarse salt is needed for the shrimp preparation?
A total of 5 teaspoons of coarse salt is used for cleaning and seasoning the shrimp.
What is the total amount of sugar used?
The recipe uses 1.5 teaspoons of granulated sugar, divided between the marinade and the sauce.
How much peanut oil is required in total?
The recipe uses 4 tablespoons of peanut oil, divided for frying the tofu and the shrimp.
What is the primary flavor profile of this dish?
The dish is described as a balance of spicy and savory with aromatic notes of ginger and garlic.
Is the chili pepper flake addition mandatory?
No, the 1/8 teaspoon of chili pepper flakes is optional depending on your spice preference.
How long do you stir-fry the sauce once it is added?
Everything is stir-fried together for about one minute until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients.
What size shrimp should be used?
The recipe specifies using small-sized fresh shrimp.
What type of soy sauce is required?
The recipe calls for one tablespoon of light soy sauce.
How much garlic is included in the stir-fry?
Half a tablespoon of chopped garlic is used in the sauce mixture.
Is this dish suitable for a quick weeknight dinner?
Yes, it is designed as a quick and healthy Asian-inspired meal perfect for busy weeknights.
At what point are the scallions added?
The sliced scallions are added at the very end along with the final drizzle of sesame oil.