Filipino Tofu Adobo

Ingredients

• 1 lb 450g firm tofu
• 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• 6 cloves garlic (peeled and crushed)
• 1 medium onion: I recommend a red onion or shallots for sweetness
• 1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
• 2 dried bay leaves
• 3/4 Cup vegetable stock
• 3 Tablespoons light soy sauce
• 2 Tablespoons white rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
• 1 Tablespoon white sugar
• Optional: add a bit of cornflour slurry to thicken the sauce at the end
• Garnish: sliced red chili and spring onion

Instructions

1. 1

   Press the tofu to remove the extra water. Leave under a heavy object for a few minutes then slice into 1/2 inch cubes.(See above if you want crispy tofu- I am skipping the step to make it healthier.)

2. 2

   Heat a non-stick pan, add a bit of oil, when sizzling pan fry the tofu till brown and crisp (can omit)- plate

3. 3

   Add the onion, garlic, peppercorn to the same pan, fry for 3 minutes till fragrant. (Make sure not to burn the garlic- stir vigorously and watch the heat levels.)

4. 4

   Gently add in the tofu then the soy sauces (light and dark), vinegar, bay leaves, soy sauce, and vegetable stock. Simmer for 10-15 minutes or till the sauce is thick. Garnish and serve with rice!