Black Pepper Tofu

Tofu is so versatile, you can make it as a savory dish or you can use to make a sweet dish. It can really hold flavors very well.
Black pepper provides a different kind of heat than chile peppers, but people who are sensitive to spices may still find this too hot, so start with lesser amount of black pepper and add more later if required. Those of you who like fiery dishes may want to increase the chillies, but try not to overpower the black pepper. We love spice in our food, and here is the perfect recipe for one who loves tofu and black pepper. 

This Recipe will serve  2-3 people

Ingredients:

• 2 blocks of extra firm tofu (I use the organic one from Trader Joe's)
• Corn flour, to dust the tofu
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• Unsalted butter (1 stick)
• 2-3 small shallots (350g), peeled and thinly sliced
• 3-4 red chillies, thinly sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tbsp chopped ginger
• 2 tbsp crushed black peppercorns
• 2-3 tbsp sweet soy sauce
• 1-2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1-2 tsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
• 6 small thin spring onions, cut into segments about 3cm long
• Jasmine rice for serving

Method:

1. Cut the tofu into 3cm x 2cm blocks and toss them in corn flour, shaking off the excess.
2. Pour in enough oil to come up the sides of a large frying pan, and bring up to frying temperature.
3. Shallow Fry the tofu in batches in the oil, turning the pieces as you go.
4. Once they are golden all around, and have a thin crust, transfer to a paper towel.
5. Remove the oil and any sediment from the pan and throw in the butter. 
6. Once it has melted, add the shallots, chillies, garlic and ginger, and saute for about 10 minutes on low-medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the contents of the pan are shiny and totally soft.
7. While you wait, crush the peppercorns, using a pestle and mortar or a spice grinder. They should be quite coarse.
8. When the shallots and chillies are soft, add the soy sauces and the sugar, stir, then stir in the crushed pepper. 
9. Warm the tofu in the sauce for about a minute, then add the spring onion and stir thoroughly. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Note: cut down on the sauces and crushed black pepper if you don't like it too spicy, adjust your taste.