Forbidden City Sweet and Sour Tofu (紫禁城糖醋豆腐)

紫禁城糖醋豆腐 (Forbidden City Sweet and Sour Tofu) is a classic dish from Chinese Imperial Cuisine, known for its delicate balance of sweet and sour flavors.

Forbidden City Sweet and Sour Tofu (紫禁城糖醋豆腐)

Ingredients

  • 1 block of firm tofu, cut into cubes
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup water
  • Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch to make the sweet and sour sauce.
  2. Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat, then add the tofu cubes and cook until golden brown on all sides. Remove the tofu from the pan and set aside.
  3. In the same pan, add the garlic, onion, and bell peppers. Sauté until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
  4. Pour the sweet and sour sauce into the pan with the vegetables. Add water and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.
  5. Add the cooked tofu back into the pan and toss to coat with the sauce.
  6. Transfer the Forbidden City Sweet and Sour Tofu to a serving dish, garnish with sesame seeds, and serve hot.

Cooking & Preparation

Preparation time:
20 minutes
Cooking time:
15 minutes
Total time:
35 minutes
Cooking method
Stovetop

Nutritional facts per 1 serving

Calories
200 per serving
Protein
15g
Fat
10g
Carbohydrates
18g

Supplies

Frying pan Cutting board Knife Bowl Whisk

Tools

Spatula Measuring cups and spoons

Serving suggestions

Serve the Forbidden City Sweet and Sour Tofu over steamed white rice for a complete meal.

Tips & tricks

For extra flavor, marinate the tofu in the sweet and sour sauce for 30 minutes before cooking.

Cost

$10