STIR-FRIED TOFU WITH CABBAGE, CARROTS AND RED PEPPERS

Stir-Fried Tofu With Cabbage, Carrots and Red Peppers image

This is a beautiful stir-fry using vegetables that are easy to keep on hand, as they all stay fresh for more than a week in the refrigerator.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

12 ounces firm tofu, sliced about 1/4 inch thick
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce (more to taste)
1 tablespoon Shao Hsing rice wine or dry sherry
2 teaspoons dark Asian sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon salt (more to taste)
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper, preferably white pepper
1/4 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons peanut oil or canola oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1 medium carrot, cut in 1/4-by-2-inch matchsticks (about 1 cup julienne)
1 medium red bell pepper, cut in 1/4-by-2-inch matchsticks (about 1 cup julienne)
1 pound cabbage, cored and shredded
1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro (optional)

Steps:

Place the tofu dominoes on paper towels. Place another paper towel on top and prepare the remaining ingredients.
In a small bowl or measuring cup combine the soy sauce, rice wine or sherry, and the sesame oil. Combine the salt, pepper and sugar in another small bowl. Have all the ingredients within arm's length of your pan.
Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok or 12-inch steel skillet over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within a second or two when added to the pan. Swirl in 1 tablespoon of the oil by adding it to the sides of the pan and swirling the pan, then add the tofu. Reduce the heat to medium and stir-fry 1 to 2 minutes, until the tofu begins to brown. Add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry for no more than 10 seconds.
Swirl in the remaining oil and add the carrots, red pepper and cabbage. Turn the heat to high and stir-fry for 1 minute, or until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the salt, pepper and sugar, toss together and add the soy sauce mixture. Stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, until the vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir in the cilantro, and serve with grains.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 260, UnsaturatedFat 13 grams, Carbohydrate 15 grams, Fat 17 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 16 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 318 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams