How can I make the tofu extra crispy for this black pepper sauce dish?

For extra crispy tofu, you can opt to deep fry the marinated tofu cubes instead of pan-frying them, as suggested in the recipe.

What gives the black pepper sauce its unique flavor profile?

The black pepper sauce gets its distinctive savory and slightly sweet flavor from a combination of fresh garlic, red Fresno chilis, vegan fish sauce, and sweet soy sauce.

Can I adjust the spice level of the Tofu in Black Pepper Sauce?

Yes, you can adjust the spice level by modifying the number of red Fresno chilis used in the black pepper sauce, or by removing more seeds for less heat.

What is the purpose of marinating the tofu in garlic-salt water before frying?

Marinating the tofu cubes in garlic-salt water infuses them with flavor before frying, ensuring they are seasoned throughout and not just on the surface.

How should I serve this Tofu in Black Pepper Sauce dish?

The recipe suggests serving this Tofu in Black Pepper Sauce hot with steamed white rice, garnished with thinly sliced scallions.

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Tofu in Black Pepper Sauce
[Vegan]

AJ By: Anita Jacobson

Author Bio

Vegan recipes featuring unique flavors from Indonesia, China, Japan, and other Asian countries. Cook, photographer, and... Read More

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Golden-brown pan-fried tofu cubes coated in a glossy, dark black pepper sauce, garnished with fresh green scallions and served alongside a mound of fluffy white rice.

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Tofu in Black Pepper Sauce [Vegan]

250

Dairy Free

Black pepper sauce is a savory and addicting Chinese favorite. In this recipe, cubes of tofu are combined with onions and chilies, pan fried in a garlicky sauce until golden brown, and then tossed in a spicy-sweet soy sauce. Serve over a bed of steamed white rice for a hearty... Read More

Ingredients You Need for Tofu in Black Pepper Sauce [Vegan]

For the Fried Tofu:

1 14-ounce block firm tofu, cut into bite-size cubes
1/2 cup water
3 garlic cloves, grated
1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Black Pepper Sauce:

3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 of 1 onion, diced
3 red Fresno chilis, remove seeds and diced
1 tablespoon vegan fish sauce
1 tablespoon sweet soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water
Cornstarch solution (1 teaspoon corn starch, plus 1 teaspoon water), mixed well

For the Garnish:

2 scallions, thinly sliced

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How to Prepare Tofu in Black Pepper Sauce [Vegan]

To Make the Fried Tofu:

Mix together water, garlic, and salt in a mixing bowl. Marinate tofu cubes in this solution for 20 minutes.
Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a non-stick frying pan on medium heat, fry tofu cubes until all sides are golden brown. If you prefer to deep fry the tofu, you can do so as well. Set aside.

To Make the Black Pepper Sauce:

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a non-stick frying pan on medium-high and sauté garlic, onion, and red chilis until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Season with vegan fish sauce, sweet soy sauce, sugar, black pepper, and salt. Mix well.
Pour water, mix well. Once the sauce boils, add corn starch solution to thicken the sauce, cook 1 minute.
Add fried tofu cubes into the sauce. Mix to coat the tofu cubes. Turn off heat, garnish with scallions, and serve with steamed white rice.