Crispy Pork and Tofu Delight

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) pork belly, cut into bite-sized pieces 500g (1.1 lb) pork belly, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 400g (14 oz) firm tofu, cut into cubes 400g (14 oz) firm tofu, cut into cubes
• 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup vinegar 1/4 cup vinegar
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns, crushed 1 teaspoon black peppercorns, crushed
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 30g, 10g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 2g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine soy sauce, vinegar, minced garlic, crushed black peppercorns, sugar, and salt. Mix well to create the marinade.
2. 2.
   Add the pork belly to the marinade and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for a more intense flavor.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, place the tofu cubes and pour boiling water over them. Let them sit for 5 minutes to remove excess moisture. Drain and pat dry with a paper towel.
4. 4.
   Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or pot over medium-high heat.
5. 5.
   Fry the marinated pork belly until golden and crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel.
6. 6.
   In the same pan, fry the tofu cubes until golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel.
7. 7.
   Serve the crispy pork and tofu together on a plate and serve with a dipping sauce made from vinegar, soy sauce, onions, and chili.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pork belly — For extra crispy pork, pat the pork belly dry with a paper towel before marinating. This will help remove excess moisture and ensure a crispy texture.
• Tofu — To achieve a crispy exterior, make sure to drain the tofu well after pouring boiling water over it. This will remove excess moisture and allow the tofu to crisp up during frying.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of flavor, add a splash of calamansi juice to the dipping sauce.
• If you prefer a spicier dish, add chopped chili peppers to the marinade or the dipping sauce.
• Serve the crispy pork and tofu with steamed rice for a complete meal.
• Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying to ensure a crispy texture.
• To save time, you can marinate the pork overnight for a more intense flavor.

Serving advice

Serve the Crispy Pork and Tofu Delight as a main course with steamed rice and a side of pickled vegetables. Garnish with chopped green onions for added freshness.

Presentation advice

Arrange the crispy pork and tofu on a platter, placing the tofu cubes on top of the crispy pork for an appealing visual contrast. Serve the dipping sauce in a small bowl on the side.