Sweet Hot Tofu

I am buying tofu at least every other week now. I really like tofu but I have never got past frying or baking it. I really want to branch out and try it in other forms because it is such a versatile product.

This is another tofu recipe that I made just tonight. Again it starts with frying the tofu. It then tosses it in a great sauce that is sweet and sour sauce with a kick (I love the flavor of Hoisin sauce). It was nice and sweet, but I would turn up the "hot" a little bit on the next run. Maybe two dashes of crushed peppers.

This sauce would make a really nice stirfry sauce too. Just saute some veggies with the tofu and then toss everything with the sauce. Hmm... that sounds like supper tomorrow night.

INGREDIENTS

2 tsp. canola oil

1 14-oz package firm tofu, cut into 1-inch cubes

2/3 cup vegetable broth

1/4 cup hoisin sauce

1 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 tsp cornstarch

2 tsp soy sauce

1 tsp honey

1/2 tsp sesame oil

Dash of crushed red pepper

2 tsp minced ginger

2 tsp minced garlic

1/3 cup green onions, thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS

Press the tofu to remove excess water.

Combine broth and next 7 ingredients (including pepper) and whisk well. Set aside.

Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu; cook until lightly browned. Remove from skillet.

Put ginger, garlic, and onion into the same skillet; saute 30 seconds. Stir in broth mixture; cook 1 minute or until sauce is thickened slightly. Add tofu and cook 30 seconds, stirring gently to coat the tofu.

Makes 4 servings (1/2 cup each)