Name: Deep-fried tofu with stir-fried lettuce and bacon
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 100 gm bacon, thinly sliced; 25 gm ginger, cut into julienne; 1 garlic clove, thinly shaved on a mandolin; ½ tsp Sichuan peppercorns, coarsely ground in a mortar and pestle; 2 baby cos lettuces, cut into wedges; 1 tbsp each Shaoxing wine and light soy sauce; 2 tsp oyster sauce; ½ tsp red bean paste (optional; see note); To serve: steamed jasmine rice; Deep-fried tofu; For deep-frying: vegetable oil; 200 gm plain flour (1⅓ cups); 1 tsp each sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper; 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, finely ground in a mortar and pestle; 600 gm silken tofu, cut into 16 pieces

Deep-fried tofu with stir-fried lettuce and bacon

Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for Deep-fried tofu with stir-fried lettuce and bacon

Serves 4

Cook

30M

Ingredients

2 tbsp vegetable oil

100 gm bacon, thinly sliced

25 gm ginger, cut into julienne

1 garlic clove, thinly shaved on a mandolin

½ tsp Sichuan peppercorns, coarsely ground in a mortar and pestle

2 baby cos lettuces, cut into wedges

1 tbsp each Shaoxing wine and light soy sauce

2 tsp oyster sauce

½ tsp red bean paste (optional; see note)

To serve: steamed jasmine rice

Deep-fried tofu

For deep-frying: vegetable oil

200 gm plain flour (1⅓ cups)

1 tsp each sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, finely ground in a mortar and pestle

600 gm silken tofu, cut into 16 pieces

Method

Main

1.For deep-fried tofu, heat oil in a large saucepan to 180C. Combine flour, salt, pepper and Sichuan peppercorns in a bowl. Coat tofu in flour mixture to coat, then deep-fry, turning occasionally, until golden (2-4 minutes; be careful as hot oil will spit). Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on absorbent paper.

2.Meanwhile, heat oil in a wok until smoking. Add bacon, stir-fry until golden (1 minute), add ginger, garlic, Sichuan peppercorns and lettuce and stir-fry until lettuce just wilts (20 seconds). Add remaining ingredients (except rice), toss to combine and serve with tofu and steamed rice.