posted by Mimi Hiller 08-23-102 8:15 PM
Szechwan Eggplant and Tofu
3 tblsp soy sauce
2 tblsp minced garlic
1/4 cup dry sherry or Chinese rice wine
1 tblsp minced fresh ginger
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tblsp white or brown sugar
cayenne pepper to taste
1 tblsp cider vinegar
3 cakes firm tofu, cut into strips
3 tblsp cornstarch
2 tblsp peanut oil
8 scallions: greens minced, whites in strips, keep separate
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 large eggplant, cut into strips, thinly
1 bunch cilantro, minced (optional)
3/4 tsp salt
Sauce: Combine soy sauce, vinegar, sherry, sugar in a liquid-measuring cup. Add enough water to make up to 1 cup. Place cornstarch in a small bowl, pour in the liquid, pour on the liquid and whisk till dissolved. Set aside.
Heat a large wok over a high flame. Add oil and onion and stir fry for about a minute. Add eggplant and salt and stir fry for 8 to 10 minutes till the eggplant is soft. Add garlic, ginger and black pepper and cayenne. Cook a few minutes more.
Add tofu and scallion bottoms. Stir the bowl of liquid that has been set aside and add to the wok. Mix well and stir fry for another few minutes till the sauce is thickened. Remove from the heat and serve over rice topped with scallion greens and cilantro.
(Serves 4)