Main Ingredients:
Tofu: 1 block; Green peas: 10 pieces.
Additional Ingredients:
Salad oil: 2 tbsp; Barbecue powder: 1 tbsp; Five-spice powder: 1/2 tbsp; Ground Sichuan peppercorn: 1/5 tbsp; MSG: 1/5 tbsp; White sesame seeds: 1/2 tbsp; Ground cumin: 1/5 tbsp; Light soy sauce: 1 tbsp; Lao Gan Ma chili sauce: 1 tbsp; Salt and pepper mixture: 1/2 tbsp; Sweet bean sauce: 1/5 tbsp.
Flavor: Spicy; Cooking Method: Baking; Time: 45 minutes; Difficulty: Easy.
Detailed Steps for Making Baked Tofu in the Oven
Line a baking tray with aluminum foil. Brush several layers of salad oil. Place the tofu, cut into pieces and dried, on the tray. Brush a layer of salad oil on top of the tofu. (Cut the tofu evenly – too thick won’t absorb flavors well, too thin will fall apart easily.)
Place a green pea in the center of each piece of tofu. If you find this step troublesome, you can skip it.
Mix five-spice powder, ground cumin, barbecue powder, and ground Sichuan peppercorn. Add MSG, white sesame seeds, and mix into a dry powder. Stir well. Use a bit more barbecue powder for a stronger flavor. If you like it spicy, add dry chili powder in this step.
Mix light soy sauce, sweet bean sauce, and Lao Gan Ma chili sauce to make a sauce. For a darker color, use dark soy sauce instead of light soy sauce. For a lighter color, stick with light soy sauce.
Sprinkle the dry powder evenly on each piece of tofu. Pour the sauce evenly over the tofu. If you have time, let it marinate for 20 minutes for better flavor.
Preheat the oven to 180°C for five minutes. Place the tofu in the oven. Bake at 180°C for 30 minutes.
After 20 minutes, when you hear sizzling inside, remove the tofu with the baking tray. Brush a thin layer of oil to prevent it from drying out. Continue baking for another ten minutes.
Transfer the tofu on the baking tray to a serving plate. Sprinkle with salt and pepper if desired, but do not use table salt.
