Crispy Tofu and Zucchini Stir-Fry⚓︎

Based on https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/crispy-tofu-zucchini-stir-fry/

Personal rating: Not yet rated

Ingredients⚓︎

1/2 cup neutral oil, such as vegetable, plus more as needed
One (14- to 16-ounce) package firm or extra-firm tofu, cut into 3/4-inch cube and patted dry
4 spring onions or scallions, white parts cut into 1-inch pieces and green parts thinly sliced for garnish
2 medium zucchini (12 to 16 ounces total), chopped into roughly 3/4-inch cubes

2 tbsp cold water
1 tsp cornstarch or potato starch
3 cloves garlic, minced or finely grated
1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, minced or finely grated
2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp doubanjiang (Sichuan chili bean paste, see headnote), chili-garlic sauce, oyster sauce or additional low-sodium soy sauce

Line a large plate or small, rimmed baking sheet with a tea towel.
In a wok or large flat-bottomed skillet over high heat, heat the oil until it shimmers. Add the tofu in one layer — you may need to do this in batches — and fry, flipping occasionally, until lightly browned on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer to the prepared plate or baking sheet to drain.
Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the oil — reserving it for another use — and return the pan to high heat. Add the white parts of the spring onions or scallions and the zucchini, and stir-fry, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables take on color, about 4 minutes.
Make the sauce: Meanwhile, in a small bowl or liquid measuring cup with a spout, stir together the cold water and cornstarch or potato starch. Stir in the garlic, ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and the doubanjiang, chili-garlic sauce, oyster sauce or additional soy sauce.
Add the sauce to the wok, and let it come to a boil and thicken, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the tofu until well coated with the sauce. Garnish with the scallion greens and serve, with rice, if desired.

Loaded with zucchini and tofu, this stir-fry has an adaptable sauce that can swing sweet, salty or spicy. You’ll start by frying cubes of tofu until crisp. Then, stir-fry zucchini and spring onions or scallions just until they take on some color. Finally, mix together a simple sauce. Adding oyster sauce (vegan or not) will make your sauce slightly sweet. Using only soy sauce will keep it salty and savory while stirring in chili-garlic sauce or Sichuan chili bean paste (doubanjiang) will turn it spicy. If you don’t want to fry the tofu, skip that step and just stir fry it briefly before adding the vegetables.
Doubanjiang, such as the Juan Cheng brand, can also be labeled as broad bean chili sauce or fermented chili bean paste.
Where to buy: Doubanjiang (Sichuan chili bean paste, see headnote) can be found at Asian markets or online. Chili-garlic sauce and oyster sauce can be found at well-stocked supermarkets, Asian markets or online.