Friday, August 2, 2013

Tofu Manchurian

Guys, if you are asking me about the history of Tofu Manchurian or even Manchuria, I really can't say much. But I sure know that Manchuria was the puppet state of the Empire of Japan in Northeast China and inner Mongolia, and Manchurian cuisine seemingly has taken a strong influence in India (Indian Tofu Curry). Why, how and what, please don't ask me. Yet I am aware that somehow Manchurian recipes (Chicken Kebab & Hakka Noodles) have been tweeted to the local tastes in India and one of the most prominent is definitely Gobi Manchurian (Cauliflower Pakora) and I must include Tofu Manchurian as well. Regardless, my Tofu Manchurian is an outcome of my thinking, though I did refer to a couple of recipes which really confused me. Thus, to keep my Tofu Manchurian as my invention, I went ahead and cooked it as how we would appreciate a tofu dish to be (Tofu Green Beans Stir Fry, Tofu Scrambled Eggs & Spinach Tofu Stir Fry). Of course we must not discount spices and chillies for Manchurian dishes? Precisely the ingredients that were cooked alongside tofu and since I had some French beans, I added them as well. The outcome? This mouthwatering burst of Tofu Manchurian (Tofu Katsu & Chinese Tofu Soup).
Ingredients
1 block of white firm tofu - cut into small squares.
15 French beans/kacang buncis  - remove strings and slice to 1/4 inch length. 
4 shallots - chopped
1/4 inch ginger - chopped
1 1/2 tsp curry powder (any type)
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 cinnamon
3 cloves 
1 star anise
2 sprigs coriander leaves - sliced
4 tbsp oil
Salt for taste

Method:
In the heated oil, gently fry the tofu squares, just to brown them on both sides.
Remove and keep aside.
In the same oil, fry ginger, shallots and spices for 1-2 mins.
Add curry powder and beans.
Stir in and sprinkle some water.
Cook till beans are softened.
Add in fried tofu squares, salt and coriander leaves.
Stir all together and remove from heat.









32 comments:

  1. Lovely write up Nava, i think all of us are sailing in the same boat. Love the beans and tofu combo very very lovely and yummy...

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  2. I sure can relate to that Nava *chuckle* My boys love having tofu this way. I haven't added beans before but tender beans will taste so good!! Your white dishes make the ingredients stand out! Lovely!

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  3. We all food bloggers do the same :) Love the combo of beans and tofu, looks delicious.

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  4. Never tried tofu. But this looks amazing

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  5. Nava, I always wanted write about this,it's take times to do "one blog post" as a food blogger 100% we all relate to it " I laugh my self right now about the sink full with dirty dishes" LOL, yes it is,need to be wash soon :)
    I have full time jobs about 50 hrs/week and I'm still blogging no $$ from my blog,but it's my passion,my diary of cooking and recipes,I love to share with family,friends,neigbors and blogger.
    About the dishes,tofu or whatever you made, I'm a Big fan :)

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  6. different combos...looking yummmy...

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  7. love to read your write ups. love the combo , looks so delicious.

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  8. my type vegetable.. Looks so yummy and rich in protein

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  9. Lol...good "intro". Your other half also very understanding.

    I asked myself too why am still blogging. Getting lazier by the day. Started as a "diary" of j growing up n niw turning into food blog. Not sure if I likevyhe direction but if not, have not much idea on what to write

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  10. Nava, what u write there is also happen to me everyday, thats our bloging life. haha....
    Love your dish, may be i should try out this recipe. sound good.

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  11. I love this post Nava. . Its the same thing here. Hence I decided to do cooking for the blog mostly over the weekend and then post it in the coming week. . Trust me its less hassle :) the dish looks delicious and healthy too. .

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  12. Nava, you spoke the words from my mouth. Although I don't work for someone but working for my husband and being a business partner takes lot of time on top of that I cook three meals. And then we are very socially active. I often have to find time to write. also I love my sleep and reading habit. Sometimes I wonder, too why I started blogging?

    I really love that just like me you post the dishes that you cook for your family and not what you cook for the blog. I don't make tofu more often but when ever I do I cook it in a scrambled way or in stir fry, just the way you did.

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  13. Nava,I have often thought I might be having time management issue when I struggle to take the post off my head and spend long hours in the editing part.I can see I have lot of company here :)))

    Love the tofu dish.

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  14. You are absolutely right and on the dot on everything that goes beyond the scenes Nav. It's hard work and the best part is we love the process.
    The beans and tofu looks so fresh and tasty. The pics have come out so good.

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  15. Hey girl, i must say its a beautiful article, specially the intro...
    I can understand how difficut it is to take pics, i do the sane spend hours clicking and if i ask someone to take pics for me, i end up itritating that person..
    About the recipe, irs vegetatian and i love it...
    Waiting for the ans of the question u left unanswered...

    Keep in touch,
    www.beingbeautifulandpretty.com
    http://instagram.com/beingbeautifulpooja

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  16. Simple and satisfying dish.. I was smiling all the way while I was reading your intro... You spoke for all of us bloggers :)

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  17. Haha 'my poor hungry other half'. So true. So true. It becomes such a production doesn't it? Our very own 'lights, camera, action' where the stage is filled with food instead of actors and we play the part of writer, director, casting agent and critic.

    I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to just go 'BAM' here's the recipe, I"m too exhausted to figure out a funny story for it. There's only so many ways you can say 'This food is yummy. Cook it!'

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  18. Love your intro part.. Tofu is one of the ingredient I never played with.. after seeing your recipe, I am planning to buy tofu..

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  19. Looks great....

    xoxo
    justbymee.blogspot.com

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  20. little different combination, I have tried tofu with carrot, will try this combo...

    On going event Julie's Flavors of cuisines - "Turkish"

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  21. love the combo ...healthy stir fry and it looks so good..

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  22. ivy sew http://simplybeautifulhealthyliving.blogspot.comAugust 3, 2013 at 11:47 PM

    Hi Nava,
    In fact all your photos are very well captured. As for me, I don't have time to decorate this and that, aim for the right angle for the best shot, etc.... I just captured there and then as I am always in a hurry after the cooking. Usually it is a very rush hour as I need to get the lunch or dinner ready for my girls who are also rushing off to school or tuition. Then, when comes to blogging, sometimes I can only afford to have 1 post in a week. If time permits, one post daily, no fix schedule. That's life for a working mum and wife :) By the way, your masala tofu with french beans is yummy as both are my favourites :)

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  23. Yes I take long time to post a single post, I always admire people who post everyday. I can't do that with two little ones, I am happy What I can. Yes every foodbolgger can relate to what you said.
    Lovely masala tofu with french beans.

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  24. A healthy protein meal! Quite simple to make and certainly very tasty!

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  25. Hi Nava, great posting. You are right to the dot about blogging. Because we enjoyed it so much, we don't mind the tedious work we have to go thru. Taking pictures before eating is like a ritual to us. LOL

    I can't afford to post so often. I often have to plan ahead and my photography itself took me more than an hour. And I practically turn my kitchen and living room upside down. I salute some bloggers can post up to 3 to 4 postings within 24 hours or one posting everyday.

    I like your this tofu and french bean combination. Very appetizing. Regards.

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  26. Haha, so very true.. I too go thru the same process every time.. But still something holds us back to the blogging world.. There are times that I have thought I shud take a break ;) By the way a simple & healthy dish to be had with rice.. Looks nice :)

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  27. Congratulations! Your dedication to providing healthy recipes to others has gotten our attention. We like your awesomeness and invite you to share your culinary creations on our new recipe index site dedicated to recipes such as these, which help to promote health and longevity. For more information please visit our site: www.healthyrecipeverified.com .

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  28. Haha i absolutely agree Nava... Its tons of work right from thinking of a recipe to make, to get the ingredients, make it, click pics, cleaning, editing pics, writing a story and finally publishing it... LOL... but you are doing terrific... I love your blog, you know that! :) This dish here looks terrific

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  29. Loving this very much Navanitham...with rice will rock

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  30. Lovely write up,I take a long time to post recipes,specially editing parts etc...the dish looks delicious.

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