General Tso NOT Chicken

I finally found a way to prepare General Tso Chicken without the chicken! YAY!!!

While I was at Kim Phat yesterday I found a few new (to me) things and one of them was dried tofu knots. They are neat little knots made of tofu skin and then dried.

I wasn't sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised, a bit chewy but pretty good, especially with the sauce which was so perfect. My only regret was that I didn't make more sauce which would have been great with the rice too.

Anyway, on with the recipe...

General Tso NOT Chicken

For the simulated chicken:
2 cups of dried tofu knots
1.5 cups vegan chicken broth, warmed in the microwave for a minute
1/2 - 3/4 cup cornstarch
1 large plastic ziplock bag
oil for deep frying

Place the knots in a deep bowl and pour the broth over them. Let soak for about 30 minutes until softened and drain well.
Add the cornstarch to the ziplock bag and add the knots and give them a good shake to coat them well. They should be fairly dry.
Deep fry in the oil until lightly golden. Remove to a paper towel lined plate. Set aside.

For the sauce:
2 tsp. oil
1/2 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green onion, sliced
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4" piece of fresh ginger or 1/2 tsp. dried ginger
1/2 cup vegan chicken broth
4 tbs. sugar
4 tbs. rice vinegar
2 tbs. hoisin sauce
2 tbs. sesame oil
2 tsp. chili paste
2 tsp. cornstarch

In a large skillet fry red peppers, green onion, garlic and ginger until almost tender. In a bowl mix the remaining ingredients well and add to the vegetables, stir until thickened. Add tofu knots and mix well until coated with sauce. Serve with hot Jasmine rice. Bonne appetit!