Low Oil General Tso's Take-out Made at Home with Ingredients YOU KNOW!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: Baked Tofu, Chinese, Low Oil, Take Out, Vegan
Author: Jen Horton
Equipment
Cutting Board
Knife
Tofu Press or items to press tofu(papertowel, kitchen towel, heavy items to sit on top)
Cookie Sheet
Mixing Bowl, Pyrex Bowl or Gallon Size Zip Loc Bag
Large Sauce Pan
Whisk
Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
Baked Tofu
2blocksExtra Firm Tofu, pressed
2tbspsoy sauce
2tbspcorn starch
1tbspoil - I use Avocado OilOther High Smoke Point Oils: Sesame, Coconut or melted Vegan Butter
Sauce
3tbspsoy sauce
2tbsphoison sauce
3tbsptomato paste
1tbspchili garlic sauceI like Huh Fong Foods brand
1tbspsesame seeds
2tbsprice vinegarI use Brown Rice Vinegar
1tbspcane sugar
Instructions
Press Tofu: Take Tofu out of package & Rinse. Either Press with a Tofu Press OR Use These Instructions
Lay a paper towel on a kitchen towel.
Place tofu on one end of the paper towel and fold over...
then fold over the kitchen towel.
Next I find a few heavy items that I can balance on this small rectangular towel. We want to create a pressure so the water from within the tofu presses out without smooshing the tofu to pieces. For me, I like placing a small cutting board on top then balancing a heavy pan, pot, bananas and even a wine bottle. Press for at least 30 minutes...longer is better. Check on it periodically to make sure it doesn't start to lean to a side too much. Re-balance.
Bake Tofu
Preheat Oven to 400 degrees then Cut Tofu in to CubesIn a large bowl or gallon size zip loc bag, add Soy Sauce and Oil, whisk together.Add cubed tofu to bowl. Stir gently until all pieces of tofu are evenly coated.Sprinkle Corn Starch on tofu. Shake bag or gently stir again until all pieces are coated. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, baking mat or nonstick spray. Spread tofu out on the cookie sheet. Bake in the oven for a total 30-35 minutes. Turning once, half way through.
Sauce
When Tofu has 5 minutes left in the oven, turn a large sauce pan on medium heat. Add ALL sauce ingredients. Whisk well & often for 5 minutes.Tofu should be done & cooling.Add vegetables(if using); stir to coat--another 5 minutes.Add tofu; stir to coat.Serve warm.
Notes
Serve along with Rice, Vegetables or Rice NoodlesI added Red Bell Pepper and Green Onions in to the sauce; allowing to warm for 5 minutes and steamed Broccoli when plated. Traditionally, I have only seen this served with steamed broccoli. The vegetables you choose are what you choose. Make it your own!