Lu Rou Fan - Braised Tofu Rice Bowl '素滷肉飯'

Ingredients

• 16 oz [397g] firm tofu (pressed, drained & mashed)
• 4 oz [130g] mushrooms (chopped (used King Oyster))
• 4 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
• 2 large shallots (finely chopped)
• 3 tablespoons [18g] green onions (chopped)
• 3 cups [700ml] of water
• cornstarch slurry (mix 1 tablespoon corn starch with 1 tablespoon of water)
• oil for cooking
• salt to taste
• blanched veggies
• 3 servings cooked rice
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce/tamari
• 1/2 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 1/4 cup [60g] Chinese cooking wine (Michiu)

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat up a large non-stick pan and cook mashed tofu until slightly dry, add 2 tablespoons of oil and continue to stir fry until golden brown and crispy.

2. 2

   Push the tofu to the side of the pan, add in more oil (if needed), then sauté mushrooms and shallots until shallots turn translucent and mushrooms are fully cooked through.

3. 3

   Add in the chopped scallions and garlic and continue to cook for another 30 seconds or until garlic is aromatic.

4. 4

   Season with white pepper, 5-spice powder, and sugar, then stir to combine.

5. 5

   Add in the soy sauce, cooking wine, water and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.

6. 6

   Then continue to cook until the sauce is reduced to almost half.

7. 7

   Taste test and season accordingly. If you need more sauce, add a little more water here.

8. 8

   Finally, add the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce by stirring constantly over low-medium heat.

9. 9

   Serve warm with rice and a side of blanched veggies.