Ottolenghi’s Black Pepper Stir-fry

Directions

  1. 1Pour enough oil into a large frying pan or wok to come 0.2 inches up the sides and heat.
  2. 2Pour enough oil into a large frying pan or wok to come 0.2 inches up the sides and heat.
  3. 3Pour enough oil into a large frying pan or wok to come 0.2 inches up the sides and heat.
  4. 4Cut the tofu into large cubes, about 1.2 x 0.8 inches.
  5. 5Cut the tofu into large cubes, about 1.2 x 0.8 inches.
  6. 6Cut the tofu into large cubes, about 1.2 x 0.8 inches.
  7. 7Toss the tofu cubes in some cornstarch and shake off the excess.
  8. 8Toss the tofu cubes in some cornstarch and shake off the excess.
  9. 9Toss the tofu cubes in some cornstarch and shake off the excess.
  10. 10Add the tofu to the hot oil and fry, turning them around as you go, until they are golden all over and have a thin crust.
  11. 11Add the tofu to the hot oil and fry, turning them around as you go, until they are golden all over and have a thin crust.
  12. 12Add the tofu to the hot oil and fry, turning them around as you go, until they are golden all over and have a thin crust.
  13. 13As the tofu pieces are cooked, transfer them onto kitchen paper.
  14. 14As the tofu pieces are cooked, transfer them onto kitchen paper.
  15. 15As the tofu pieces are cooked, transfer them onto kitchen paper.
  16. 16Remove the oil and any sediment from the pan.
  17. 17Remove the oil and any sediment from the pan.
  18. 18Remove the oil and any sediment from the pan.
  19. 19Add the butter to the pan and melt it.
  20. 20Add the butter to the pan and melt it.
  21. 21Add the butter to the pan and melt it.
  22. 22Add the shallots, garlic, and ginger to the pan.
  23. 23Add the shallots, garlic, and ginger to the pan.
  24. 24Add the shallots, garlic, and ginger to the pan.
  25. 25Sauté on low to medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the ingredients have turned shiny and are totally soft.
  26. 26Sauté on low to medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the ingredients have turned shiny and are totally soft.
  27. 27Sauté on low to medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the ingredients have turned shiny and are totally soft.
  28. 28Add the soy sauces and sugar and stir.
  29. 29Add the soy sauces and sugar and stir.
  30. 30Add the soy sauces and sugar and stir.
  31. 31Add the crushed black pepper.
  32. 32Add the crushed black pepper.
  33. 33Add the crushed black pepper.
  34. 34Add the tofu to warm it up in the sauce for about a minute.
  35. 35Add the tofu to warm it up in the sauce for about a minute.
  36. 36Add the tofu to warm it up in the sauce for about a minute.
  37. 37Finally, stir in the spring onions.
  38. 38Finally, stir in the spring onions.
  39. 39Finally, stir in the spring onions.
  40. 40Serve hot, with steamed rice.
  41. 41Serve hot, with steamed rice.
  42. 42Serve hot, with steamed rice.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs extra-firm tofu
  • 2 lbs extra-firm tofu
  • 2 lbs extra-firm tofu
  • Neutral oil for frying
  • Neutral oil for frying
  • Neutral oil for frying
  • Cornstarch to dust the tofu
  • Cornstarch to dust the tofu
  • Cornstarch to dust the tofu
  • 11 tbsp butter
  • 11 tbsp butter
  • 11 tbsp butter
  • 12 oz shallots, thinly sliced
  • 12 oz shallots, thinly sliced
  • 12 oz shallots, thinly sliced
  • 15 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 15 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 15 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 3 tbsp chopped fresh root ginger
  • 3 tbsp chopped fresh root ginger
  • 3 tbsp chopped fresh root ginger
  • 3 tbsp sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
  • 3 tbsp sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
  • 3 tbsp sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
  • 3 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 4 tsp dark soy sauce
  • 4 tsp dark soy sauce
  • 4 tsp dark soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 3 tbsp ground pepper
  • 3 tbsp ground pepper
  • 3 tbsp ground pepper
  • 16 small and thin spring onions, cut into 1.2-inch segments
  • 16 small and thin spring onions, cut into 1.2-inch segments
  • 16 small and thin spring onions, cut into 1.2-inch segments

Equipment

large frying panwokkitchen paper

Tips

  • Fry the tofu in batches to prevent stewing.
  • Serve hot with steamed rice.