Black Pepper Tofu with Bok Choy

Black Pepper Tofu with Bok Choy – a simple tofu stir-fry that can be made in under 30 minutes! Flavorful, Vegan and Gluten-Free! 

Laugh because that is the purest sound. – Hafez

This Black Pepper Tofu with Bok Choy is a quick and easy weeknight dinner that can be made in under 30 minutes. And even though this tofu stir fry is easiest made in a wok, don’t let this stop you if you don’t happen have one. Half the time I make this in my cast iron skillet. Either way, it’s a super tasty way to serve up tofu and the vibrant baby bok choy.

As with most stir-fry recipes, my best advise is to make sure to prep all the ingredients beforehand and place them close to the stove, ready to go.  The cooking part goes very quickly and it’s all to easy to burn things when you are not constantly stirring.

So always chop and prep before you turn on the pan.

This recipe is perfect for two.

Brian and I normally eat this without rice or noodles, but feel free to add if you like.

Although it has a fair amount of crushed black peppercorns, the Black Pepper Sauce is not overwhelming. It perfectly accentuates the tofu and the bok choy, and the dish feels balanced.

And keep in mind, I’ve simplified this recipe quite a bit to prevent you from having to make an extra trip to the Asian Market for specialty items.

The baby bok choy turns a vibrant green in the wok and gets lightly wilty.

And even though the dish tastes flavorful and saucy, it also tastes very clean.

I’m not sure if it is just my imagination, but the natural water element of the bok choy feels very healing and restorative to the body.

A  simple easy recipe to whip up when days are full and time is short. Give this Black Pepper Tofu with Bok Choy, a try this coming week and let me know what you think!

Have a great holiday weekend.

xo

Black Pepper Tofu with Bok Choy

★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

A simple delicious recipe for Black Pepper Tofu with Bok Choy – a tasty vegan meal that can be made in under 30 minutes!

• Author: Sylvia Fountaine
• Prep Time: 15
• Cook Time: 15
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 2
• Category: Vegan, Gluten Free, Main
• Method: Stir fry
• Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

• 8-12 ounces firm tofu, cut into 1 inch cubes ( or sub chicken, see notes)
• corn starch for dredging
• 2 tablespoons wok oil ( high heat oil like peanut, coconut or vegetable)
• 5 finger pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoons fresh cracked peppercorns
• —–
• 1 fat shallot, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, rough chopped
• 6 ounces baby bok choy ( about 4) quartered lengthwise ( or if very thick, in half again)

Black Pepper Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce ( or Gluten-free Liquid Aminos)
• 2 tablespoons Chinese Cooking Wine ( Shaoxing Rice Wine) or sub dry white wine, pale sherry,  or rice wine.
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar ( or sub palm sugar, coconut sugar or agave)
• ½ teaspoon fresh cracked peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon chili paste (optional)

Instructions

Cut tofu into cubes and blot dry with paper towels

Make the wok sauce, stirring ingredients together in a small until most of the sugar dissolves. Place it by the stove.

Prep the shallots, garlic and bok choy.

Dredge the tofu in a light coating of cornstarch (cornstarch is optional, but provides a crispier texture)

Heat oil in a wok or large cast iron skillet over medium high heat and add the salt and crushed peppercorns to the oil, swirling it around until fragrant, about one minute. Add the tofu to the seasoned oil, and sear on all sides until golden and crispy, turning heat down if need be. Be patient and take your time, it will take about 5-6 minutes.

Set the crispy tofu aside on a paper towel-lined plate, and wipe the pan out.

Heat another teaspoon or two of oil over medium heat, and add shallots, garlic and bok choy. Stir continuously until bok choy begins to wilt and shallots become golden, about 3-4 minutes. It will smell amazing.  Add the wok sauce to the pan, careful to get all the sugar that may have settled in the bowl.

Simmer for a couple minutes, or until bok choy is just tender. Ad the very end, toss the tofu back into the pan with the bok choy and sauce. Taste for salt and heat, adjusting to your preference.

Serve immediately, diving between two bowls.

Notes

Feel free to sub chicken breast cut into cubes, and prepared the same way.

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