Black Pepper Tofu

Although most people find vegetarian dishes to be unfilling and bland, this recipe will prove them wrong. It is a tofu-based dish that is loaded with several varieties of soy sauce and thus is very intense and salty (note: if you don't have all of them, just use whatever you have on hand). The most difficult part of preparation is slicing all the shallots. I found this on Serious Eats originally and adapted it to include bell peppers. Serving it over quinoa provides some variety over the traditional rice.

Ingredients

• 1 pound firm tofu, cut into large (1-inch square) cubes and well-dried with paper towels
• Cornstarch to dust the tofu
• 6 tablespoons neutral oil
• 8-12 shallots (approximately 6 ounces in total), thinly sliced
• 4 fresh or dried red chiles, thinly sliced
• 12 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger
• 3 tablespoons sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
• 6-7 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons coarsely crushed black peppercorns (use a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder)
• 1-2 bell peppers, any color.
• Cooked quinoa or white rice for serving.

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, sprinkle the tofu with the cornstarch and toss well to lightly coat.
2. Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high heat until almost smoking. Add the cubes of tofu and cook, turning the pieces occasionally, until golden and crisp all over. Transfer to a sheet pan lined with paper towels and set aside.
3. Wipe out the skillet with a paper towel and add 3 tablespoons of the oil. Heat the skillet over medium then add the shallots, chiles, garlic, and ginger. Cook, stirring often, until completely soft.
4. Add the soy sauces to the skillet, along with the sugar and peppercorns. Stir until the sugar is dissolved, then add the tofu back to the skillet and stir to coat it well. Taste for a balance of sweet and spicy, adding sugar or more peppercorns as needed. 
5. Add the bell peppers and cook a few minutes, until the peppers just start to soften.
6. Turn off the heat, stir well until the sauce thickens slightly, and then serve with quinoa or white rice.

Serves 4. Eat and enjoy.