Japanese Tofu with Mince Pork

I was craving for the Japanese Tofu that my mum used to cook back home. But she'll be here only 2 weeks later. Just like a pregnant woman, I MUST have means I MUST have. So, I took things into my own hands. I googled Japanese Tofu and out came a few recipes. I made my choice of decision, and fortunately, it was a smart pick! ;)

I stumbled upon Hochiak! Delicious Asian Food: Recipes for home-cooked food and reviews for Malaysian Food and found my Japanese Tofu with Minced Pork recipe! Delighted, I checked if I had all ingredients and started cooking without any hesitation. Hip hip hurray!

Here's the result:


Ingredients

• 1 tube of Japanese Tofu
  
• 50 grams minced pork
• 1 teaspoon of chopped garlic
  
• Sliced carrots (optional)
• 3 pieces of Chinese dried mushrooms (Pre-soaked and cut into small pieces)
• Corn starch (Mix 1 tablespoon corn flour with 5 tablespoons water)
• 2 tablespoons of Corn flour
• 100 ml warm water
• Sufficient oil for deep frying (Palm oil preferred)

Marinade (for minced pork)

• 2 teaspoons light soya sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce
• A few dashes of white pepper powder
• 1 teaspoon of corn flour

Seasoning

• 1/2 tablespoon or more of dark soya sauce
• 1 heaped teaspoon of oyster sauce
• Salt and white pepper powder to taste

Method

Step 1: To prepare tofu, cut across the tofu tube in the middle. Gently push the tofu out of the tube from the closed end. Cut tofu across at not more than 2 cm thick. Dust the tofu lightly with corn flour.

Step 2: Heat oil in wok. Deep fry the tofu till golden brown, remove and set aside on paper towel to absorb excess oil. Place fried tofu on a serving plate.

Step 3: Remove oil from wok leaving about 2 tablespoons in it. Add mushrooms and stir fry for 1 minute or longer till aromatic. Add minced pork and stir well. When minced pork is half-cooked, add carrots. Continue to stir fry till minced pork cooked / seared on the outside. Add seasoning followed by warm water and allow to boil for 1 minute.

Step 4: Thicken gravy to your liking using a teaspoon of corn starch at a time. Pour gravy over the tofu and serve hot with steamed white rice.

Yay! I edited the recipe a tad bit, because I cooked only for 2 people. And I did not add carrots in because my brother don't take vegetable. For the original recipe, don't hesitate to click HERE. :)

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This contest is ending on the 31st of August 2008 at midnight and after that, all entries will be listed down for people to vote! The voting will last for a week. I'll notify you guys when it's time to vote, and please please vote for me alright? The winner will win $100 so support me yeah! Wootza! :D