Chinese-style home-cooked tofu

 Ingredients:

• Firm tofu – 1 block (about 400g)
• Vegetable oil – 2 tbsp (for frying tofu)
• Garlic – 2 cloves (minced)
• Ginger – 1-inch piece (finely sliced)
• Green onion (scallions) – 2 stalks (chopped, for garnish)
• Bell pepper – 1 (sliced, optional)
• Carrot – 1 small (julienned, optional)
• Soy sauce – 3 tbsp
• Dark soy sauce – 1 tbsp
• Oyster sauce – 1 tbsp (or vegetarian oyster sauce)
• Rice vinegar – 1 tbsp
• Sugar – 1 tsp
• Water or vegetable broth – 1/2 cup
• Cornstarch – 1 tsp (optional, to thicken sauce)
• Sesame oil – 1 tsp
• Chili paste or fresh chilies – to taste (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Tofu:
   
• Drain the tofu and cut it into bite-sized cubes (around 1-inch pieces).
• To remove excess moisture, gently press the tofu between paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth for about 10 minutes. This will help the tofu crisp up when frying.
3. Fry the Tofu:
   
• Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a non-stick skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
• Once the oil is hot, carefully add the tofu cubes. Fry them for about 3-5 minutes on each side until golden and crispy.
• Once cooked, remove the tofu from the skillet and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
5. Prepare the Sauce:
   
• In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and water (or vegetable broth). Stir well to mix. If you’d like a thicker sauce, you can add the cornstarch here and mix until smooth.
• Optionally, add a small amount of chili paste or chopped fresh chilies if you like your dish spicy.
7. Cook the Vegetables:
   
• In the same skillet or wok, add a little more oil if needed. Heat over medium heat.
• Add the minced garlic, ginger, and chopped bell peppers (if using). Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
• Add the julienned carrots (if using) and stir-fry for another 2 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.
9. Combine the Tofu and Sauce:
   
• Return the fried tofu cubes to the skillet with the vegetables.
• Pour the prepared sauce over the tofu and vegetables. Stir gently to coat everything in the sauce. Let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and everything is well combined.
• Add sesame oil for extra flavor, and give it one final stir.
11. Garnish and Serve:
    
• Garnish with chopped green onions and a drizzle of sesame oil for added fragrance.
• Serve the dish hot with steamed rice, or alongside other stir-fried dishes for a complete meal.

Tips:

• Tofu texture: You can also use silken tofu for a softer texture, but firm tofu holds up better in stir-fries and absorbs the sauce more effectively.
• Vegetarian/Vegan version: The dish is already vegetarian, but to make it vegan, just ensure you use plant-based oyster sauce.
• Adjust seasoning: Feel free to adjust the soy sauce, vinegar, or sugar to balance the saltiness and sweetness according to your preference.