Hello friends! Sorry for my recent blogging absence. My computer decided it needed a vacation (or more like a doctor). But now I'm back and ready to post. Since it's been so long since my last post I thought I would do a recipe post extraordinaire! and post a fluffy of Asian recipes that you can try all at once. :) First up is an appetizer: Salt and Pepper Tofu with sweet and sour sauce. Second up is some mouth watering Mongolian Beef and Green Onions. Let's get cooking!
Ingredients:
1-14 oz block of tofu
4 TBS corn starch
Black pepper and salt to taste
Vegetable or canola oil
For a fancy saute:
1/2 TBS oil
2 chopped onions
1 TBS minced garlic
1 TBS minced ginger
1/2 TBS soy sauce
1/2 TSP brown sugar
Start by draining the tofu and patting it dry with a paper towel. Cut it into 1 inch cubes. Combine salt pepper and corn starch. Toss the tofu pieces in the corn starch mixture. Careful they don't fall apart.
In a pan heat up some oil. Add the battered tofu pieces and fry them on each side. Once each side is done, drain on a paper towel.
To add some extra flavor to the tofu heat up another pan on the stove with 1/2 TBS oil. Once the oil is hot add the rest of the saute ingredients, careful not to splatter. Saute for about 4 minuets or until the onions are translucent. Toss the saute and tofu together and serve along side the Sweet and Sour sauce.
Sweet and Sour Sauce
Ingredients:
3/4 Cup white sugar
1/3 Cup Vinegar
2/3 Cup water
1/4 Cup Soy Sauce
1 TBS Ketchup
2 TBS Corn starch
In a medium sauce pan place all the ingredients and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and stir it continually until it is thickened.
There, you have your appetizer. I only used about half the block of tofu seeing as it was only my husband and I for dinner. I haven't cooked with tofu before. I expected an interesting flavor beyond words, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was very mild. The saute added a nice bit of flavor to the mild salt and pepper tofu. It wasn't my favorite S&S Sauce, but try it for yourself and see if you like it.
Now on to the main course: Mongolian Beef and Green Onion
Ingredients:
2 TSP vegetable oil
1 TBS finely chopped garlic
1/2 TSP grater ginger
1/2 Cup soy sauce
1/2 Cup water
2/3 Cup dark brown sugar
1 LBS beef flank steak sliced 1/4 inch thick on the diagonal (I used a round steak, cut just as thin, and it was great)
1/4 Cup corn starch
2 bunches of green onions, cut into 2 inch lengths
Slice beef in 1/4 inch pieces and toss in a bowl with the cornstarch until coated thoroughly. Allow it to sit for ten minutes.
Heat 1 TSB of vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook ginger and garlic until they get fragrant. Pour in the brown sugar, water and soy sauce and turn the heat to medium-high. Let thicken while you stir it. Remove form heat and set aside.
Once the cornstarch has adhered to the beef strips, heat a deep sided pan with some oil over medium high. Shake excess corn starch from the beef strips and place them one at a time into the hot oil. Cook until each piece is crispy on its edges, about 2 minutes. Remove and place on a rack or paper towel to drain. Once all the beef is cooked empty the pan and return it to the stove.
Place in the pan the reserved sauce and beef. Stir to combine and add the onions. Cook for about 2 minutes or until the onions are softened and turn bright green.
Enjoy with rice and you have yourself a delicious meal. :) Today's recipes came from Sala at VeggieBelly.com, as well as NAG_GA, and VKarison at Allrecipes.com, respectfully.
Till next time! Enjoy!
