General Tso's Tofu

Ingredients

• 14 ounces firm tofu
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• 3-4 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp oil
• 3 cloves of garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp finely chopped ginger
• 2 tbsp vegan oyster sauce
• 2 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 tsp garlic chili oil (optional)
• green onions and toasted sesame seeds for topping

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Tofu ---

2. 2

   Preheat the oven to 355 °F (180°C).

3. 3

   Press and dice the tofu. Start by wrapping the tofu in a few layers of kitchen paper towel and slightly press it to remove the extra moisture. Next, dice the tofu into 1-inch cubes and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.

4. 4

   Season it. Pour in the soy sauce and maple syrup and toss to coat. Let the tofu absorb the sauce for a couple of minutes.

5. 5

   Toss with cornstarch. Sprinkle the tofu with one tablespoon of cornstarch. Carefully toss to coat the tofu. Add another tablespoon of cornstarch and toss again. Repeat once more or until the tofu no longer appears moist. Note: The amount of cornstarch needed will depend on the type and brand of tofu used. We used 3 tablespoons.

6. 6

   Arrange on a baking sheet. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly oil it using a kitchen paper towel. Arrange the cubed tofu on the baking sheet into an even layer, leaving 1-2 inches between each cube.

7. 7

   Bake until golden brown. Bake for about 25 minutes, flipping once halfway through baking, until the tofu is golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside.

8. 8

   --- Sauce ---

9. 9

   Sauté the aromatics. Heat the oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the minced ginger and garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.

10. 10

    Add the tofu. Next, add the golden brown tofu and cook for one more minute.

11. 11

    Add the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the vegan oyster sauce, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, sugar, water, and garlic chili oil if using. Pour the sauce into the skillet.

12. 12

    Let simmer. Let the tofu and the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to coat the tofu with the sauce. The sauce will thicken after a couple of minutes.

13. 13

    Garnish. Finally, top the tofu with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve immediately with white rice or your favorite grain!

14. 14

    You can store this tofu in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.