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SZECHUAN SPICED VEGETABLES AND TOFU


This Szechuan spiced dish is a wonderful combination of vegetables and Tofu.  The dried reddish- brown berries which I have used in this dish are known as Szechuan peppercorns.  They are not related to black pepper or chilli peppers.  This peppers has a spicy-woodsy fragrance that has made it popular in all regions of china for centuries.  Szechuan peppercorns are one of the traditional ingredients in the chinese spice mixture five spice powder.  Not only in china it is also used in Nepali, tibetan and Bhutanes cookery of the Himalayas. 




How to use Szechuan peppercorns??

Toast the Szechuan peppercorns in a dry skillet over medium heat until they begin to smoke.  Do not worry even if few blacken slightly.  Then grind them in a spice grinder. Store the excess powder in the jar.  

The Szechuan (seasoned oil) oil is used as a dressing for many Chinese salads.  



 


SZECHUAN SPICED VEGETABLES AND TOFU

 Ingredients:

Baby corn - 1 cup (canned)
Bok Choy - 2 cup cut to 1/2 inch thick slices
Fresh shiitake mushroom - 1 cup (sliced)
Tofu - 300 gm (pressed tofu)
Onion - 1/2 sliced
Fresh Ginger - 2 tsp
Garlic - 1 tsp minced
Scallions - 2 tbsp sliced






For the Sauce:

Vegetable stock - 3/4 cup
Light or dark soy - 2 tbsp
Black bean sauce or paste - 1/2 tbsp
Dry sherry - 1 tbsp
Chilli paste - 2 tsp
Corn starch - 1 tbsp
Sugar or brown sugar - 1/2 tsp
Szechuan pepper corns - 1/4 tsp (Prepare as I have told above)
Oil - 1 tbsp
Salt as needed 






Method:

1. Heat oil in the pan.  Add ginger and garlic.
2. Now add baby corn, bok choy and onion.  Stir fry until the bok choy is slightly wilted. 
3. Now combine all the ingredients listed under the sauce.
4. Whisk and add to the pan.  Boil by stirring until it is thickened.  It takes just 1 minute or couple of minute.
5. Now add the cubed tofu. Heat through for 2 to 3 minutes.
6.  Garnish with Scallions!!! Serve hot with Jasmine rice.



Note:

1.  Use Szechuan peppers as specified.  Too much of pepper will be over powering.  

divya  – (October 22, 2012 at 11:00 AM)  

Just drooling here, irresistible.

Spice up the Curry  – (October 22, 2012 at 2:23 PM)  

looks really yummy. From where did you buy szechuan peppers? I am looking for it for long time.

lubnakarim06  – (October 22, 2012 at 2:25 PM)  

Perfect combination of flavours, aroma and taste. Love the pics....

Nandita SS  – (October 22, 2012 at 3:45 PM)  

Oh gosh!! this combo meal looks so delectable and comforting. Pass on a bowl to me Pavithra :)

chef and her kitchen  – (October 22, 2012 at 9:39 PM)  

loving the colors and the dish totally...

great-secret-of-life  – (October 22, 2012 at 9:50 PM)  

love the color and looks so yummy
Great-secret-of-life.blogspot.com

Poornima Nair  – (October 23, 2012 at 12:10 AM)  

Love the flavor of szechuan peppers, this is one yummy dish!

Jeyashris Kitchen  – (October 23, 2012 at 12:48 AM)  

Very nice and tempting dish with tofu

Priya Suresh  – (October 23, 2012 at 4:14 AM)  

Wow,such a flavourful stir fry, wish to have with a bowl of rice.

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