Sweet and sour tofu is a vibrant, tangy dish featuring crispy fried tofu coated in a glossy sauce made with pineapple, vinegar, and soy. Enhanced by wood ear mushrooms, chili peppers, and aromatic ginger, this plant-based meal offers the perfect harmony of texture, sweetness, and spice.

Try this recipe from W Table.

Ingredients:

  • 1 block tofu
  • 1/4 pineapple
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 1 green chili pepper
  • 1 red chili pepper
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/2 piece ginger
  • 4 wood ear mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup glutinous rice flour
  • A pinch of black sesame seeds
  • Cooking oil as needed
  • A pinch of salt
  • A pinch of black pepper

Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup water
  • 3 tablespoons corn syrup
  • 3 tablespoons vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sugar

Thickening Mixture:

  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

(Serves 2 to 3)

Instructions:

Cut the tofu, pineapple and red onion into 2-centimeter cubes, and slice the green and red chili peppers. Julienne the garlic and ginger, and cut the wood ear mushrooms into bite-sized pieces.

Season the tofu with salt and black pepper, then pat it dry with paper towels.

Place the glutinous rice flour in a wide dish and coat the tofu evenly.

Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan to 160 degrees Celsius. Fry the tofu until golden brown, then drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

In a pot, add a little oil and stir-fry the red onion, garlic and ginger for about 3 minutes. Add the sauce ingredients along with the pineapple, wood ear mushrooms and chili peppers, and simmer for 1 minute.

Stir in the thickening mixture until the sauce becomes slightly thickened, then remove from heat. Arrange the tofu on a plate, pour the sauce over it, and garnish with black sesame seeds.

[Source: W table]