Salt and Pepper Tofu (Jiao Yan Dou Fu, 椒盐豆腐)

Name: Salt and Pepper Tofu (Jiao Yan Dou Fu, 椒盐豆腐)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2 serving
Ingredients: 12 oz tofu, firm or medium-firm, at room temperature; 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoon cornstarch; ½ teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt and pepper seasoning; neutral cooking oil; 2 tablespoon minced shallot; 2 tablespoon minced chili pepper; 2 tablespoon minced garlic; 1 talk scallion; ½ teaspoon salt and pepper seasoning; 1 teaspoon whole Sichuan pepper; ½ star anise; ½ teaspoon sesame seeds; ¼ teaspoon fennel seeds; 4 teaspoon salt

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Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings
2
Calories
317 kcal
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
Chinese

Salt and Pepper Tofu (Jiao Yan Dou Fu, 椒盐豆腐)

Iris Warren

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Tender tofu with a golden, crispy crust and super aromatic seasonings, salt and pepper tofu can be made to perfection at home.

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Ingredients

Servings

For the tofu

12 oz tofu, firm or medium-firm, at room temperature
2 tablespoon all-purpose flour aka plain flour (see note 1)
2 tablespoon cornstarch or potato starch/tapioca starch
½ teaspoon baking powder optional, see note 2
½ teaspoon salt and pepper seasoning shop-bought or homemade (see recipe below)
neutral cooking oil for shallow frying or air-frying

For stir-frying

2 tablespoon minced shallot or onion
2 tablespoon minced chili pepper
2 tablespoon minced garlic
1 talk scallion finely chopped
½ teaspoon salt and pepper seasoning shop-bought or homemade (see recipe below)

For homemade salt and pepper seasoning (optional)

1 teaspoon whole Sichuan pepper remove the black seeds if any
½ star anise
½ teaspoon sesame seeds
¼ teaspoon fennel seeds
4 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

Fry the tofu

Cut tofu into cubes (about 1 inch/2½ cm each side).
Sift flour, starch and baking powder into a large plate. Add ½ teaspoon of salt and pepper seasoning then mix well.
Use a clean kitchen towel or kitchen paper to pat dry the tofu cubes then put them into the flour mixture. Evenly and thinly coat all sides. Use hands to remove excess flour.
Heat up oil in a wok/pan over medium-high heat (the oil should be generously covering the entire surface). Gently put in tofu (Don’t overcrowd. Fry in two batches if necessary). You should see bubbles appearing around the tofu straight away, otherwise, the oil isn’t hot enough yet.
Use chopsticks or tongs to flip the tofu several times to ensure each side is evenly fried. Transfer out to a plate lined with kitchen paper (to soak excess oil) when all sides are nicely golden.

Combine the dish

Remove most of the oil leaving about ½ tablespoonful in the wok/pan. Add shallots, chili pepper and garlic. Fry over medium heat for about 1 minute.
Add the fried tofu cubes, chopped scallions and ½ teaspoon salt & pepper seasoning (or to taste). Toss briefly to season evenly. Dish out and serve immediately.

Make the salt & pepper seasoning (optional)

Put Sichuan pepper, star anise, sesame seeds, fennel seeds and salt into a pan. Toast over low heat while stirring from time to time.
Once the salt darkens slightly and the spices become very fragrant, remove from the heat then grind in a mortar or a spice grinder (see note 3).

Notes

If you wish to make this dish gluten-free, you may replace the flour with starch.
Baking powder helps to brown the tofu while frying and it increases the crispiness slightly. Please feel free to skip it if unavailable.
The quantity suggested produces much more salt and pepper seasoning than what you need for this recipe. Keep the leftover in an airtight jar for later use.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Serving 1serving Calories 317kcal (16%) Carbohydrates 17g (6%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 28g (43%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 18g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Trans Fat 1g Sodium 4760mg (198%) Potassium 68mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 0.2g (0%) Vitamin A 62IU (1%) Vitamin C 4mg (4%) Calcium 91mg (9%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 317 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving	1serving
Calories	317kcal	16%
Carbohydrates	17g	6%
Protein	2g	4%
Fat	28g	43%
Saturated Fat	2g	10%
Polyunsaturated Fat	18g	106%
Monounsaturated Fat	6g	30%
Trans Fat	1g	50%
Sodium	4760mg	198%
Potassium	68mg	1%
Fiber	1g	4%
Sugar	0.2g	0%
Vitamin A	62IU	1%
Vitamin C	4mg	4%
Calcium	91mg	9%
Iron	1mg	6%