toona with boiled tofu
Spring ,Vegetables ····
Source: Life
Main Ingredients
- Chinese toon (Toona sinensis)
- Northern tofu (firm tofu)
Seasonings
- Sichuan peppercorns, oil, fine salt
- Chili powder (optional)
Cooking Steps
- Cut the northern tofu into small cubes. Remove the tough stems from the Chinese toon and keep the tender leaves.
- Blanch the tofu cubes in boiling water for 30 seconds, then drain and transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Blanch the Chinese toon in the same pot for 15 seconds, then drain, finely chop, and mix with the tofu cubes. Sprinkle with a little salt and toss gently. Then, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of chili powder over the mixture.
- In a cold pan, add oil and Sichuan peppercorns. Heat over low flame to slowly infuse the oil with the peppercorn aroma. Remove the peppercorns, heat the oil until hot, and pour it over the chili powder.
Tips
Both the tofu and Chinese toon need to be blanched briefly. This step removes the beany taste from the tofu and enhances the fragrance of the toon while reducing its nitrite and oxalate content, making it healthier to eat. However, the blanching time should not be too long. "Cold pan, cold oil" refers to adding oil and ingredients to the pan before heating it over low flame. This method minimizes smoke from high-temperature cooking, preserves the oil's nutrients, and reduces harmful chemical byproducts.
