Fried tomatoes with tofu stuffing

Ingredients: serves 5 people

-             6 large size fresh ripe tomatoes

-             Sufficient vegetable oil for frying

-             50-100 g coriander leaves for garnishing, chopped

For tofu stuffing:                     

-             1 firm tofu

-             2 dried wood ear mushrooms, 2 inches in diameter

-             1 small bunch of bean thread noodles (50g)

-             20 g cornstarch

-             1 egg, beaten

-             3 cloves of garlic

-             3 stalks of scallion ( green onion)

-             1 teaspoon granulated sugar

-             1 tablespoon fish sauce

-             1 teaspoon ground white pepper

Preparation:

-                Tomato: wash and drain. Cut tops from tomatoes. Cut tomatoes into half , using a spoon to remove core and pulp. Keep them fresh under cool temperature in the fridge.

-                Scallion: wash and drain. Use the green part only and mince.

-                Garlic: peel and mince.

-                Coriander: wash and well drain. Finely chop and set aside in a small bowl.

-                Dried wood ear mushroom: soak in hot water about 20 minutes, drain and cut thinly.

-                Bean thread noodles: soaked in boiled water about 20-30 seconds, scoop them out before they are too soft  and set in in a colander to dry completely. Then rinse under cool running tap water. Drain the remaining water and cut  in 2 inch length.

-                Prepare the tofu stuffing: In a bowl, mash tofu and combine with mushroom, noodles, garlic, scallion, fish sauce, sugar, pepper. Use chopticks to toss until the sugar have dissolved. Then add the beaten egg and cornstarch . Stir gently so the mixture binds well together.

-                Use a spoon to stuff each tomato half with tofu stuffing, place them in a plate and prepare for frying.

Cooking:

1.      In a large frying pan (non-stick frying pan is the best choice) over high heat, pour in vegetable oil. When oil is hot, carefully add tomato halves with the stuffed side down.

2.      Fry in hot oil for about 5 minutes. Then adjust the heat to low and simmer for another 5-7 minutes.

3.      Turn off the heat and prepare for serving.

Serving:

-                Transfer fried stuffed tomatoes to a serving plate and garnish with chopped coriander leaves and some fresh lettuce leaves.

-                Sprinkle with ground pepper.

-                Serve hot with  hot sweet and sour soy sauce.

Posted in: Tofu,Vegetables