Quick and Easy Stir-Fried Tofu with Peppers and Black Beans

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Quick and Easy Stir-Fried Tofu with Peppers and Black Beans

Stir-fried tofu with peppers and black beans is a simple yet incredibly delicious dish. Although it's vegetarian, it packs a protein punch and is bursting with flavor!

A Restaurant Experience

I first enjoyed this dish at a vegetarian restaurant in Shenzhen, and the taste has stuck with me ever since. I’ve tweaked the recipe a bit to suit my personal preferences. In my version, I add garlic and a bit more black beans. I love using long peppers because I’m a fan of spice, but feel free to replace them with any type of pepper you prefer, even mild sweet peppers!

Introducing Pressed Tofu

If you’re not familiar, pressed tofu is a firmer, drier type of tofu that has been squeezed to remove moisture. It has a chewier texture than regular tofu, making it perfect for stir-frying. This type of tofu is often labeled as “seasoned tofu” because it’s usually simmered in soy sauce and spices before being dried.

How to Make Pressed Tofu at Home

If you can’t find pressed tofu (which is often available in the refrigerated section of Asian grocery stores), you can easily make your own at home. Start with a block of firm tofu (readily available in supermarkets), press it, simmer it, and then dry it in the oven. This process takes about a day, but it doesn’t require much preparation on your part.

Recipe Variations

This seasoned tofu stir-fry has been a staple at my family’s dinner table for decades. Sarah and Kaitlin grew up with this dish, and I’ve used it for countless meals over the years! The version I’m sharing is quite basic, but there are several variations you can try, such as: Stir-Fried Seasoned Tofu with Ground Pork, Garlic Stir-Fried Tofu with Vietnamese Balm, Five-Spice Tofu Stir-Fried with Vegetables, and Vegetarian Moo Shu.

How to Make Stir-Fried Tofu

Start by heating a pan over medium-high heat, adding oil, garlic, and black beans, and stir-frying for about 30 seconds. Next, add the sliced tofu and stir-fry for another 2 minutes.

Now, add the peppers, Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, sesame oil, white pepper, and sugar. Stir-fry for a few minutes until everything is well combined. Finally, season with salt to taste and enjoy!

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons cooking oil (such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or avocado oil)
• 2 cloves garlic (sliced)
• 2 tablespoons fermented black beans (rinsed)
• 8 ounces pressed tofu (sliced into thin strips)
• 4 ounces long peppers (seeds removed and sliced)
• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon sesame oil
• ¼ teaspoon white pepper
• ¼ teaspoon sugar
• Salt (to taste)

Nutritional Information

Each serving contains approximately 164 calories, 5g of carbohydrates, 7g of protein, and 13g of fat. Plus, this dish offers a wealth of essential vitamins and minerals for your body.

Are you ready to try this dish? It’s not only tasty but also super easy to make, perfect for a vegetarian meal or simply a quick snack!

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