How to make easy and crisp outside, soft insides Chinese salt and pepper tofu. 

Tofu is believed to be healthy and tasteless and it is so hard to cook.  But you can’t image how Chinese loves tofu and how many ways to cook tofu in Chinese cuisine. This is the simplest one — pan-fried crispy tofu with salt and pepper. Around 1 week ago, I made a lovely batch of tofu at home and then I want to make a small ground of recipes introducing how I cook tofu in my daily cooking, ranging from soups, pan-fried tofu and this wonderful salt and pepper tofu. 

Chinese salt and pepper is slightly different from the familiar salt and ground pepper. Instead we use Sichuan peppercorn and salt. Salt and Sichuan pepper is one of the most popular and famous Sichuan style mixed spice. But you can use any other mixed spices and mix it with salt. This one is really wonderful since it not only gets a crispy shell but also a soft tender soft inside quite like the tofu puff.

Cook’s Note

• I recommend using regular tofu  (not extra-firm )to make salt and pepper tofu. Since we have a super out surface. Water content inside helps to make the inside more tender. 
• In order to get a crispy outside and soft inside pan-fried tofu, the tofu should be thicker. Thicker tofu can form a very good crispy and soft comparison and prevent taste from drying. 
• Chinese Peppercorn salt is mainly Sichuan peppercorn and salt. But you can use black pepper or make a mix based on personal preference. 

Ingredients

 Other tofu dishes

• Mapo tofu
• Steamed tofu
• Crispy sesame tofu
• Kung pao tofu
• Sweet and sour tofu
• Scrambled tofu

5 from 7 votes

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Salt and Pepper Tofu

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

15 mins

 

Sichuan pepper and salt tofu. Excellent vegan recipe. Two versions introduced.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Chinese

Keyword: Salt and Pepper, tofu

Servings: 2

Calories: 319 kcal

Author: Elaine

Ingredients

• 1 block regular firm tofu , not super soft or firm
• 3 tbsp. vegetable cooking oil
• 1 scallion , finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 3 fresh chilis , cut into small circles
• 1/2 cup potato starch

Salt and pepper mix

• 1/2 tbsp. salt , or to taste
• 1 tbsp. Sichuan peppercorn

Instructions

1. Cut tofu into small cubes and then coat with a thin layer of starch. 

2. Heat oil in wok and slowly fry the tofu blocks until crispy and slightly browned. 

3. Remove extra oil, only leave around 1 tablespoon of oil in pan, fry garlic, scallion and chili pepper until aromatic, turn off the fire. Return tofu and sprinkle salt and pepper. Toss well. 

Nutrition Facts

Salt and Pepper Tofu

Amount Per Serving

Calories 319 Calories from Fat 216

% Daily Value*

Fat 24g37%

Saturated Fat 13g81%

Sodium 1443mg63%

Potassium 98mg3%

Carbohydrates 11g4%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 19g38%

Vitamin A 100IU2%

Vitamin C 2.1mg3%

Calcium 286mg29%

Iron 3.1mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.