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5.0 from 60 votes

Celery Black Pepper Tofu

Spicy celery black pepper tofu stars crisp, baked tofu in a celery black pepper sauce. Perfect for easy dinners and for meal prep! (gluten-free, nut-free with soy-free and oil-free options)

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 2
Calories: 340 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian

Ingredients

For the Black Pepper Tofu
  • 14 ounces firm tofu cubed (1.5 cups) - no need to press
  • 3 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoon cornstarch or other starch
For the Sauce
  • 2 teaspoons oil
  • 6 to 8 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 inch ginger finely chopped
  • 2 dried red chilies chopped or broken into 2 pieces. Use 1 for less heat. I like arbol or cayenne or Indian chilies in this. Use milder chile like california red for less heat
  • 1 to 1.5 cup chopped celery
  • 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper or onion
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper optional
  • 1 teaspoon coarsely crushed black pepper preferably ground/crushed with a mortar pestle, or more, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce , use tamari for gluten-free
  • 1 tablespoon Maple or sugar
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 2-3 tablespoon water
  • Green onion for garnish

Instructions

Baked tofu.
    Cup of Yum
  1. Chop the tofu and add to a bowl. Add soy sauce and toss to coat. Mix the spices in cornstarch and add to the bowl. Toss to coat. If the tofu is too dry, add a few drops of water to help almost all of the cornstarch to stick to the tofu.
  2. Alternatively: Make a thick batter of soy sauce through cornstarch. Add a teaspoon more water, if needed, but don't add too much, as the tofu will add its own moisture when you mix it in. Immediately add tofu and mix to coat. If you leave the batter to sit, it will solidify in a few minutes and you will need extra moisture to be batter again.
  3. Bake: Preheat the oven to 400° F / 200º C. Spread the tofu cubes on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or longer until crisp.
  4. Pan fry: Or pan fry in oil on a skillet over medium high heat. Once hot, add the coated tofu, let sit for 2 minutes, then flip. Repeat until golden on most edges. Keep aside
Make the sauce while the tofu bakes.
  1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, reduce heat to medium low. Add garlic, ginger and red chilies and cook until garlic is golden, 2 to 3 minutes.
  2. Add the celery and peppers. Increase heat to medium. Mix and cook for 2 minutes. Stir once in between.
  3. Add the baked tofu, black pepper, soy sauce, maple, vinegar and water and mix. Cook for half to 1 minutes or so to bring the sauce to a boil and slightly thicken. Serve hot with rice or quinoa or in lettuce wraps.

Notes

  • This recipe is naturally gluten-free and nut-free. For soy-free, use pumpkin seed tofu  or chickpea tofu.
  • To make oil free: Cook the garlic, ginger and chili in a tbsp or so broth until golden and proceed. Variations: You can also use meat subs like beyond meat strips at the last step instead of tofu for a black pepper chikin.
  • Add half the black pepper, if you are unsure about the heat level, and mix in the rest later to preference.

Nutrition Information

Calories 340kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 35g (12%) Protein 22g (44%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 7g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Trans Fat 0.01g Sodium 842mg (35%) Potassium 542mg (15%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 11g (22%) Vitamin A 841IU (17%) Vitamin C 85mg (94%) Calcium 325mg (33%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 340

% Daily Value*

Calories 340kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 35g 12%
Protein 22g 44%
Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7g 41%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Trans Fat 0.01g 1%
Sodium 842mg 35%
Potassium 542mg 12%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 11g 22%
Vitamin A 841IU 17%
Vitamin C 85mg 94%
Calcium 325mg 33%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.