General Tao Tofu Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 block (8 oz) firm tofu
• 1 beaten egg
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 3 shallots, minced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons grated ginger
• 5 tbsp. water
• 4 tbsp. sugar
• 2 tbsp. vinegar
• 2 tbsp. soy sauce
• 2 tbsp. oyster sauce
• 2 tbsp. ketchup
• 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Preparation

• Cut tofu into 3/4" cubes. Drain well and pat dry, if necessary.
• Coat tofu in beaten egg, then in cornstarch.
• Heat vegetable oil in a skillet, then brown tofu cubes. Set aside for later use.
• Heat sesame oil in a frying pan, then sauté shallots, ginger and garlic.
• Add water, sugar and vinegar. Simmer for a few minutes.
• Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, ketchup and crushed chili pepper. Simmer a few minutes longer, until sauce is thickened.
• Add the tofu cubes to the sauce and mix well. Heat a little more until the tofu is hot.
• Serve on a bed of couscous or rice.
• Sprinkle with a few sesame seeds just before serving.