My first ever dinner in P.F Chang's was an absolute flop. DH took me in saying this is the best dine in place for Chinese food. And it turned out to be a nightmare for both of us. We were welcomed as the last customer for the night, asked to order. Ma PoTofu and some sort of veggie noodles that I don't remember were served with a couple of sauces. Who the hell on earth new that these accompaniments would spoil our dinner? We pounced on the white sauce which seemed too good to mix. Our entrees were pungent ever since we did that... And that was the last time I ever went into a P.F Chang or even thought about it when tempted for oriental food.
A friend of mine unwillingly took me in again for a farewell lunch (I was so hesitant cos I was paying for the lunch!). Oh Lord, we had a sumptuous lunch that day. Lettuce wrap, snap peas, asparagus stir fry for the appetizer, and went on with the entrees.
Lettuce wrap was something that hit me straight with its slightly sweet, slightly sour, toasted tofu filling in it. I have tried many versions of it but been unsuccessful mostly. Today I pushed myself to make this dish yet again in a slightly varied method by varying the cooking time and marinade recipe.
Marinade:
1. Soy sauce - 3 tsp
2. Sugar - white/brown - 1 tsp
3. Salt - to taste (Soy sauce is a li'l salty, take that into consideration)
4. Lime juice - 1/2 a lime
5. Garlic - 3 cloves finely chopped
6. Ginger - 1 inch finely chopped
7. Sesame oil - 1tsp
8. Red crushed pepper/flakes - 3 tsp
Mix all the above ingredients as is in a dish.
Firm tofu (1/2 of one single pack) - squeeze excess water using paper towel. Cut them into cubes of desired size.
Soak all the tofu cubes in the above marinade for 15 minutes.
Stir fry ingredients :
1. Onion - 1/4th of red, yellow or preferably french onion or scallion ( 4 stems)
2. Bell pepper - Red or yellow for the color, thin slices.
3. Sprouts - 1/2 a cup
4. Peanut oil
5. Salt to taste
In a saute pan/wok, heat some peanut oil, add the marinated tofu - just dump the entire stuff into the wok. Saute it in high heat for 5 minutes, when the garlic seems like browning, just go slow on the heat but continue sauteing for another 15 mins!!! Yes, stir it often to avoid burning. Stop when you think that the tofu is nicely browned and seems a little crunchy on the outside. Place this cooked stuff aside. In the same wok, heat 4 tsp peanut oil, add the onion, and the veggies. Stir fry on high heat for 5 minutes. Add some salt just for the veggies if you need. Add the already fried tofu to it, let it blend well until about 2 minutes. The filling is all set.
Serve this stuffing in a cold lettuce leaf for a healthy snack. You might end up eating much more than you actually thought you would!
A friend of mine unwillingly took me in again for a farewell lunch (I was so hesitant cos I was paying for the lunch!). Oh Lord, we had a sumptuous lunch that day. Lettuce wrap, snap peas, asparagus stir fry for the appetizer, and went on with the entrees.
Lettuce wrap was something that hit me straight with its slightly sweet, slightly sour, toasted tofu filling in it. I have tried many versions of it but been unsuccessful mostly. Today I pushed myself to make this dish yet again in a slightly varied method by varying the cooking time and marinade recipe.
Marinade:
1. Soy sauce - 3 tsp
2. Sugar - white/brown - 1 tsp
3. Salt - to taste (Soy sauce is a li'l salty, take that into consideration)
4. Lime juice - 1/2 a lime
5. Garlic - 3 cloves finely chopped
6. Ginger - 1 inch finely chopped
7. Sesame oil - 1tsp
8. Red crushed pepper/flakes - 3 tsp
Mix all the above ingredients as is in a dish.
Firm tofu (1/2 of one single pack) - squeeze excess water using paper towel. Cut them into cubes of desired size.
Soak all the tofu cubes in the above marinade for 15 minutes.
Stir fry ingredients :
1. Onion - 1/4th of red, yellow or preferably french onion or scallion ( 4 stems)
2. Bell pepper - Red or yellow for the color, thin slices.
3. Sprouts - 1/2 a cup
4. Peanut oil
5. Salt to taste
In a saute pan/wok, heat some peanut oil, add the marinated tofu - just dump the entire stuff into the wok. Saute it in high heat for 5 minutes, when the garlic seems like browning, just go slow on the heat but continue sauteing for another 15 mins!!! Yes, stir it often to avoid burning. Stop when you think that the tofu is nicely browned and seems a little crunchy on the outside. Place this cooked stuff aside. In the same wok, heat 4 tsp peanut oil, add the onion, and the veggies. Stir fry on high heat for 5 minutes. Add some salt just for the veggies if you need. Add the already fried tofu to it, let it blend well until about 2 minutes. The filling is all set.
Serve this stuffing in a cold lettuce leaf for a healthy snack. You might end up eating much more than you actually thought you would!
