Vegan Peipa Tofu (Chinese Fried Tofu Ballls)

Prep Time: 20m | Cook Time: 20m | Servings: 4

Ingredients

Tofu Balls

• 300g firm tofu, patted dry
• 240g vegan pork mince
• 2 stalks spring onion (green onion), diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 pieces dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated in 1 cup hot water (keep water), stems cut out, diced
• 1/4 carrot, finely diced
• 1 chunk ginger, grated or finely diced
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tbsp shaoxing wine
• 1 tbsp vegan oyster sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tbsp mushroom seasoning (or veggie stock powder)
• 1/2 tsp white pepper

Enoki Mushrooms Sauce

• 100g enoki mushrooms, separated and roughly chopped
• 1 tsp mushroom seasoning (or veggie stock powder)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp vegan oyster sauce
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 cup mushroom water (from rehydrating shiitake mushrooms) or water

To Thicken

• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp water

Other

• Neutral oil for deep frying (canola, sunflower, vegetable, rice bran, or peanut)
• Hot white rice, to serve
• Steamed broccoli, to serve

Instructions

Prepare the Tofu Ball Mix: Pat the tofu dry and mash it in a large mixing bowl. Add all other tofu ball ingredients and mix well. Form the mixture into football-shaped balls and place them onto an oiled plate.

Make the Sauce: Place all sauce ingredients (except the mushrooms and cornstarch slurry) into a small saucepan.
Cook over medium heat until hot, then add the mushrooms and cook for a few more minutes. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and continue stirring until the sauce thickens.

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then set aside.

Fry the Peipa Tofu: Heat a few inches of oil in a wok or large pot to 170ºC-180ºC for deep frying. (To test the oil temperature, dip a wooden chopstick into the oil - the wood should start fizzing when it’s hot enough.) Fry the tofu balls in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.

Serve: Plate the fried tofu balls with steamed broccoli and hot white rice. Pour the enoki mushroom sauce over the tofu balls and enjoy!