Sichuan Spiced Mince with Crispy Tofu
This flavour-packed Sichuan Spiced Mince with Crispy Tofu using Kikkoman UK Soy Sauce is the perfect dish to celebrate Chinese New Year. Using the hugely popular Chinese flavours from the Sichuan province, it’s full of garlic, ginger, Sichuan peppercorns and bird’s eye chillies, so it certainly packs a punch! Ready for the whole family to dig in it also includes one of our favourite additions, Kikkoman Soy Sauce. Made with simple, natural ingredients it is the ideal flavour enhancer for plant-based cooking, and we use it ALL the time in our recipes! Check out the recipe below!
Serves
Ingredients
For the Crispy Tofu
<item-todo-done>280g block of firm tofu<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1 tsp ground sichuan pepper<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>50g cornflour<item-todo-done><item-todo-done> salt and pepper to taste<item-todo-done><item-todo-done> vegetable oil for frying<item-todo-done>
Sticky Sichuan Mince
<item-todo-done>280g block of firm tofu<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>250g chestnut mushrooms<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>2 tbsp vegetable oil<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>2 cloves of garlic<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>2 inches of ginger<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1 tsp Chinese 5 spice<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>½ tsp ground sichuan pepper<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>3 tbsp Kikkoman Soy Sauce<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1 tbsp sugar<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>10g chives<item-todo-done>
To Serve
<item-todo-done>5g chives<item-todo-done><item-todo-done> crispy onions<item-todo-done><item-todo-done> sesame seeds<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1 red chilli<item-todo-done>
Before you start
Frying pan | Box Grater | Small mixing bowl
Prepare the tofu
- Open, drain and cut the tofu into 2cm cubes
- Add the tofu to bowl, add the powdered sichuan peppercorns and cornflour to a bowl and stir to combine
- Pour the sichuan cornflour over the tofu and toss to combine, making sure the tofu is all really well covered
Cook the tofu
- Warm 1cm vegetable oil in the frying pan, add the tofu and fry, turning with tongs constantly until the tofu is golden in colour and really crispy
- Transfer the tofu cubes to the plate lined with kitchen paper and set to one side
Prepare the Sichuan Mince
- Use the wide side of the box grater to grate the tofu and the mushrooms
- Peel and grate the garlic and ginger
- Warm the oil in a frying pan over medium heat
- Add the tofu and mushrooms to the pan and fry for 3-5 minutes to release a good amount of the moisture
- Add the garlic and ginger to the pan and fry for 1 minute until really aromatic
- Add the chinese five spice, sichuan peppercorns, Kikkoman Soy Sauce and sugar to the pan and stir for 2-3 minutes
- Add a splash of water to loosen the mince if needs be
- Finely slice the chives and fold into the mince
Time to serve
- Finely slice the red chilli and chives
- Spoon the sichuan mince onto a large serving plate and top with the crispy onions and sesame seeds
- Pile on the tofu cubes, garnish with the chives and red chilli and serve immediately