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Hunan smoked tofu with leeks and chilli
Xiānggān chǎo dàsuàn (香干炒大蒜): firm smoked tofu stir-fried with leek, fresh chilli and black beans
Smoked tofu (xiāng gān) hangs in strings in Hunan markets, firm and brown from wood smoke. Restaurants in Changsha usually toss it with a little pork, but leaving the meat out is common at home and in Buddhist eateries. The tofu soaks up the black beans and chillies, and the leeks go sweet and soft. Serve it with plenty of rice. Chef's tip: cut the tofu about 5 mm thick; thinner slices break apart in the wok.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 3
Ingredients
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat 2 tbsp of 2 ⅛ tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over a medium-high heat. Lay in 10 ½ oz smoked firm tofu in one layer and fry for 2 minutes a side, until the edges are crisp and darker brown. Lift out.
4 minStep 2: Add the rest of ⅞ tbsp vegetable oil and turn the heat to high. Stir-fry 3 fresh red chillies, 2 cloves garlic and 1 tbsp fermented black beans (douchi) for 30 seconds, until the black beans smell rich and the chilli skins blister slightly.
1 minStep 3: Add the white parts of 1 large leek or Chinese garlic shoots and stir-fry for 1 minute, then the green parts for another minute, until they're bright and just softening.
2 minStep 4: Common mistake: adding all the leek at once, so the greens turn limp before the whites cook through. Once both are done, return the tofu, add 1 tbsp light soy sauce, ½ tsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp water and 1 pinch salt and toss for 1 minute, until the tofu is glossy and the liquid has gone.
1 minStep 5: Taste: the black beans are salty, so add more salt only if needed. Serve straight away.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 260 kcal
- Protein
- 18 g
- Carbs
- 9 g
- Fat
- 18 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does hunan smoked tofu with leeks and chilli take?
- About 20 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 3 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it very spicy?
- It has some heat. Use less chilli for a milder version, or more if you like it hot.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
- What can I use instead of fermented black beans (douchi)?
- Kidney or pinto beans, same amount.
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