Chinese Recipe : Tofu with Sliced Chinese Mushrooms and Dates

This is a wonderful dish, very high in protein. The tofu is fried first and then drained several times before the sauce is added.

Ingredients:

• 8 large cubes of Soybean Curd / Tofu
• 1 Cup (2 dl) dried Chinese mushrooms
• 1 Cup (2 dl) pitted dried Chinese dates
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 small piece of ginger, minced
• ¼ Cup (2 fl oz / ½ dl / 65 ml) vegetable oil
• 1-2 Tbsp rice wine
• 1-2 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1-2 Tbsp oyster sauce
• 1-2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp corn starch

Directions:

1. Soak the mushrooms in one container and the dates in another container  for 2-3 hours. Drain the mushrooms and slice them julienne. Drain the  dates, cut in half and remove the pits.
2. Cut the Soybean cakes into smaller portions i.e. cut in half and then slice each half to make thinner portions. In a large wok, heat about ½ cup vegetable oil and fry the tofu slices 2-3 at a time until golden brown, set aside on a platter.
3. In a large wok, heat the vegetable oil, add the freshly minced garlic and ginger and cook for about ½ minute. Add the sliced mushrooms and dates, add about 4 Tbsp of water and 2 Tbsp cornstarch and heat through. Add the rice wine, soy sauce, and oyster sauce heat through.  Drain the liquid off of the fried Soybean Curd and top with the mushroom-date sauce. Serve.