Stir-Fried Tofu and Escarole
- One 14-ounce box firm tofu, drained and cut in 1/4-inch thick, 2-inch by 3/4-inch dominoes
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar or rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey, agave nectar, or raw brown sugar
- 1/4 cup vegetable stock, chicken stock or water
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch or arrowroot dissolved in 2 tablespoons vegetable stock or water
- 2 tablespoons peanut, canola, rice bran, sunflower or grape seed oil
- 2 to 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 to 3 teaspoons minced ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or 1 minced serrano
- 1 generous bunch escarole (1 to 1 1/4 pounds), leaves separated, washed and dried
- 1 bunch scallions, white and green parts separated, chopped
- Drain and dry tofu slices on paper towels.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup combine soy sauce, vinegar, sweetener and stock or water.
- In another bowl or ramekin, dissolve cornstarch or arrowroot in stock or water.
- Separate dark outer escarole leaves from lighter inner leaves.
- Cut all of the leaves crosswise into 1-inch pieces and keep in separate containers.
- Have all ingredients within arms length of your pan.
- Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within a second or two when added to wok.
- Swirl in 1 tablespoon of oil by adding it to the sides of the wok and swirling the wok, then add tofu and stir-fry until lightly colored, about 2 minutes.
- Remove to a plate.
- Swirl in remaining oil, add garlic, ginger and chile flakes or minced chile, and stir-fry for no more than 10 seconds.
- Add dark escarole leaves and stir-fry for 1 minute, until wilted.
- Add salt, toss together and return tofu to the wok.
- Add inner escarole leaves, white part of the scallions, and soy sauce mixture.
- Stir-fry for 1 minute, until the inner leaves are crisp-tender, and add scallion greens and the cornstarch mixture.
- Stir just until lightly glazed and remove from heat.
- Serve with hot grains or noodles.
firm tofu, soy sauce, cider vinegar, honey, vegetable stock, salt, cornstarch, peanut, garlic, ginger, red pepper, generous, scallions
Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016905 (may not work)