general tso tofu hoisingeneral tso tofu hoisin

When the tofu is pressed, cut it into cubes and place it into a container with a lid. Once pressed, cube tofu (or slice if desired). Yes, tofu is naturally vegan. Dry ginger is used, but many recipes call for fresh ginger, which I don't usually have. Cut it into bite-size cubes and put it into a medium bowl. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves. Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe. General Tso Tofu | A Simple Vegan Takeout Copycat Recipe - The Cabin Diary I love to know what you are making! Each comment has to be manually approved before it is posted. OR put them all in and occasionally stir like lazy me for about 12-14 minutes. Sign up for our newsletter and receive a FREE Digital Cookbook of 15 of the blog's most loved recipes! I saw the video where you taste tested Pumfu (Tof) Would love to make this using it but cant find it. When you first add your tofu to the pan, youll want to cook it until its crispy. Yes, of course, you can fry the tofu in an air fryer. There are shelf stable (non refrigerated ) tofu blocks, but the refrigerated kind works best for this recipe. Your email address will not be published. Store leftovers sealed airtight for four days. You can find a few suggestions, but there is no great substitute. Was it when you were a child or were you an adult? The girls are littermates so yes, they are sisters. Ive had mine for years, and it is by far my favorite kitchen tool. You can reuse it a few more times! General Tso's Tofu - Sandra's Easy Cooking 1 teaspoon black vinegar, if you do not have it use balsamic vinegar. I like using peanut oil but use any oil that you like. teaspoon is about what you would normally have in a restaurant (3/10), but 1 teaspoon is more for the heat lover (7/10). She showcases delicious, authentic Asian recipes, especially Japanese, vegan, and vegetarian, with beautiful photography, easy-to-follow instructions, videos, and practical recipe variations. The Chinese-American Take-Out Classic but at Home! I will probably use dark when I make it again because it really has a lot of positive flavor notes that my wife and I like. General Tso's Tofu is made with crispy baked tofu covered in sticky-sweet-slightly-spicy sauce. Keep in touch for new recipes and latest posts. Whisk together to blend. Cook for 30 seconds, then stir in the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, red chili flakes, brown sugar, cornstarch and vegetable stock. Now, if youre a total spice junky, you can add a few of those whole dried chilies to your protein of choice while cooking in your wok or frying pan. General Tso's Tofu Cinnamon Society I have a feeling that you love it. General Tso's Tofu - Vegan Cocotte The sauce is the main component and made up of soy sauce, rice wing vinegar, sugar, cornstarch, dried whole red chili peppers and garlic. Skip the takeout and make this instead! Just had this recipe for lunch and it was amazing, but I was curious about how the calories were calculated. To make the sauce, simply combine everything in a bowl and set aside. Add in 2 teaspoon minced ginger and 2 cloves garlic, and red chili flakes if adding. Be sure the internal temp gets to 165 by checking multiple pieces. It is also gluten-free so if you're sensitive to corn-based products use this powder. I create delicious vegetarian and vegan recipes that are free from gluten! Baked General Tso's Tofu Recipe - MSN What is General Tso's? We are taking the same base sauce and pairing it with tofu for a vegan General Tsos that is simply amazing. Add the chicken back into the sauce and stir to coat. Here are three different ways to make your own general Tso sauce! The ingredients you will need to make General Tso Tofu should be easily available in most Asian groceries around. Always make sure to store it in a closed airtight container to retain its freshness. Put it into a medium bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder, and salt. I told you it was easy! Simmer for 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves. 1 teaspoon sesame oil. Required fields are marked *. Plus, 15 easy recipes delivered immediately! Thanks for taking time to leave a review, we appreciate that! Never miss another post! YUM!!!! In fact, General Tso's is probably the most well known Asian fried chicken recipe of all. Remove from heat and transfer the tofu into a small bowl. 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce 1 teaspoon sriracha 3 tablespoons rice vinegar 1 tablespoon sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons water)/ you can use any other sauce thickener. Lightly salt the tofu then add 1 Tablespoon of corn starch and toss. Crispy General Tso's Tofu - Allrecipes General Tsos Tofu is tasty, beautiful, and incredibly easy to make. Meanwhile, combine cornstarch and water and mix until smooth in texture. Hi! Add the cooked tofu to the pan and toss to cover in sauce. If you do not want to fry the tofu you can bake the tofu without cornstarch. Step one, regardless of which of the above four methods you choose, is to press your tofu block. General Tso sauce is a mixture of a few simple ingredients that make up the tangy, savory and sweet flavor of one of the most iconic Americanized Chinese recipes. I live in Philly and would drive across the bridge to purchase it..Thx, Try using their store locator here: https://foodiesvegan.com/product-locator Now the delicious General Tso's Tofu is ready for you to taste and enjoy, Easy and Best One-Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe, General Tso's Tofu is a sweet, sour, and spicy Chinese dish. On the day I made the video I was cooking for someone who does not like spicy so I left them out. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. It is your responsibility as a consumer to read all labels to make sure the ingredients fit your dietary needs as well as calculate your own nutritional information as a double check. To save oil I used a 1/4 inch of oil but to save time you could deep fry them. I am only going to suggest eating it right away. This method helps the tofu to get super crispy outside and tender, chewy on the inside. Coat the chicken and shake off the excess topping. Add remaining marinade sauce and bring to a simmer. Serve with sides of rice and steamed vegetables. Cast iron holds a higher temperature so turn the heat just a bit down if you are using a cast-iron skillet. Allow the mixture to boil for 1 to 2 minutes, Now add corn starch slurry and mix well until the sauce thicken, Now add the fried Tofu pieces into the General Tso's Sauce and mix until the sauce coats well on tofu pieces, Finally, sprinkle some sesame seeds and give a final stir. Sign up below to receive our monthly newsletter with fresh delicious recipes. In a shallow bowl, combine the cornstarch, soy sauce and ginger. I want to see! What a great product on the press - I'm sure that helps a ton and cuts down on a bunch of prep time! The calorie count may change if you change, substitute, or alter any of the ingredients. Even though there are three versions of this sauce, there are also common thread ingredients that appear throughout the variations. You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. Easy crockpot beef stew recipe (without wine), Delicious homemade soft and fluffy dinner rolls. (Note: This section contains affiliate links. Cant wait to try this one. To thicken the sauce, you will need to make a cornstarch slurry. If youre a vegan in California and miss In-N-Out, or if youve never had one and want to know what all the hoopla is about,, With some CRISPY EDGES, a SOFT RUNNY YOLK, and some EGGY FLAVOR thanks to BLACK SALT, now we can enjoy a vegan fried EGG! Hoisin sauce. General Tso chicken is really good. Garnish with the toasted sesame seeds and slices of green onion. So I took bits from one recipe, and bits from another. This easy to make General Tso Sauce is perfect for those nights youre craving delivery, but need the loving touch of a home cooked meal. General Tso's Tofu - Nora Cooks The EZ Tofu Press has a pretty important job in this recipe. A must make! Although it is probably some basis in standard Chinese fare, it is not a traditional Chinese dish. Mix the rice vinegar, soy sauce, hoisin sauce and brown sugar together in a bowl and set aside. Thatll probably be enough for most people. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I think the sauce was good, better than other recipes Ive tried, but it did not taste like the restaurant style General Tsos which was what I was hoping for. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before cooking, if possible, to improve adhesion. When the oil is hot add the vegetables/ aromatics. Next, stir in the red bell peppers and Shaoxing wine. Smoky Bacon, Sweet BBQ Sauce and Crispy Onion Rings are, Read More Vegan Western Bacon CheeseburgerContinue. General tso sauce will keep refrigerated for up to 1 week. Required fields are marked *. I am learning a new way of thinking about food. Top with optional diced green onions and sesame seeds. To make marinade, in a small bowl, add soy sauce, hoisin, rice wine vinegar, chili paste and sesame oil. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Theres not much to say about this dish other than its friggin amazing and comforting. General Tsos is probably the most well known Asian fried chicken recipe of all. After the sauce comes to a boil add the tofu and keep tossing until the tofu soaks up most of the sauce. Add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and toss to coat the tofu. Simply prep your tofu as started above, then cook at 370 degrees F for 12 minutes. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Then remove and let thaw completely before adding it to a tofu press to drain (see below). General Tso Tofu Recipe. Required fields are marked*. Most likely, what we now know as General Tsos Chicken originated in New York City in the 1970s, but there are many conflicting claims about who and where. Learn moreabout the award-winning team behind the site. Well, that depends on how sweet you like it, right?! Let the tofu sit while heating up 1/4 inch of cooking oil in your pan. Then for some of the saucy goodness we'll need some sesame oil, arrowroot powder, salt, ginger paste, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, coconut sugar, Shaoxing wine, and water. Firm tofu cubes are the perfect alternative for a vegan version. After the sauce comes to a boil add the tofu and keep tossing until the tofu soaks up most of the sauce. The pressing can be achieved in 15 minutes or less. Thats right more than probably, the roots of the dish stem from a Chinese chef, Peng Chang-kuei, who is said to have created an original dish using typical Hunanese flavors. Ive never had a problem with it getting frost bite or anything. Ive had mine for years, and it is by far my favorite kitchen tool. Combine soy sauce and sesame oil together and add over the cubed tofu. General Tsos chicken: probably not an homage to his favorite dish . This General Tso Tofu is the adapted version of chicken and it delivers a perfect taste and flavor similar to most Asian or Chinese take-out. Top with scallions and sesame seeds if desired. The Best General Tso Sauce | Pickled Plum I have prepared the dish from scratch that involves making homemade Tso sauce, frying the tofu, and stir-frying them in the sauce. The third issue is ketchup, some have gluten, so read the labels. This does the math for the ingredients for you. This baked General Tso's tofu is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside and coated in a sweet and spicy sauce that is mouthwatering. We use thistofu pressbecause its easy to use and works great. General Tso's Tofu recipe is easy and so tasty. This post contains affiliate links, at no additional cost to you! Its looks and taste delicious. You could also experiment with using a bit of crushed, However, curiously, the dish weve come to know as General Tso chicken in the West has, So to recap General Tso: real person. The Hoisin sauce is needed, and do not skip it. General Tso sauce is made with soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger, red chili flakes, and sugar. To the nonstick pan on medium heat add 1/2 Tablespoon of oil. You will want to use firm or extra firm tofu, so it holds up to pan frying and yields "meatier", crispier chunks. Your recipes are easy and the extra work you do with the pictures is really helpful. Use 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger for each teaspoon of ground ginger. This vegan tofu recipe is an at-home twist on the classic Chinese tofu recipe, and is becoming one of my favorite firm tofu recipes. Jump to: Why this recipe works List of Ingredients Step by Step Recipe Tips and Substitutions More Vegan Recipes General Tso's Tofu Since the fried tofu will soak up lots of liquid we need 1/2 cup vegetable stock. This flavorsome favorite is served on top of a fluffy bed of white rice with steamed broccoli. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. General Tsos chicken: probably. It is the modified version of Tso's chicken made with vegetarian or vegan-friendly ingredients. It's awesome marinated and baked. Brown the chicken in a large skillet or wok in hot oil in one or two batches. The information shown is Edamams estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. The Hoisin sauce provides a vinegar flavor for this dish, but you may want to add a small amount of rice wine vinegar. Cook the chicken: Heat the canola in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Well, that depends on how sweet you like it, right?! For my sweet version of this General Tso sauce, I use three tablespoons of sugar for every finished cup of sauce. TheCabinDiary.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. YUM! Add chicken to the egg mixture and stir to coat. Glad you liked it! My husband and I enjoyed it so much that I decided to share this simple and easy recipe. Add the remaining sesame oil to a large frying pan and add the garlic, chilis, and ginger paste. Wait until the tofu releases from the pan before browning the next side; the underside of the tofu should be golden-brown. Serve with Fried Rice or Oven Baked Rice. To the nonstick pan on medium heat add 1/2 Tablespoon of oil. A healthier version of a favorite takeout dish, this recipe is easy, quick and crave-worthy. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Adds wonderful nutty flavor to the marinade. Freeze the tofu in the store packaging. General Tso Sauce - Chili Pepper Madness General Tso's Tofu - Simple Vegan Blog If youre following Meatless Mondays then, hey, this is quite the perfect dish to make for you and your family. 10.5 Griddle, 8 Skillet, 10.25 Skillet, 10.25 Dutch Oven, and 10.25 Lid, Tap here for more amazing meatless recipes, 1 cup chicken broth (alt. Saute for 30 seconds. Sign Up For My Newsletter Today! The three sauces here are going to turn out essentially the same from a texture and viscosity standpoint. Baked General Tso's Tofu Recipe - Tasting Table When the chicken is brown and 165, remove the chicken from the skillet. Add to a sauce pan or pot and heat 3-5 minutes over medium high heat, or until the sauce thickens. Brown sugar adds sweetness to the sauce but can be cut in half without much effect. This dish is tofu based so soy is in the main ingredient but you could swap the tofu for something else like mushrooms, jackfruit, or cauliflower. The magic of this recipe lies in our version of General Tsos sauce, which is a sweet and salty combination of ingredients like honey, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Does cooking vegetarian food feel like a mystery to you? Whisk together 2 egg whites or one whole egg, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Makes me excited about food again. How to make General Tso Tofu. Deliciously garlicky with a hint of spice. I mean its fried chicken in a super decadent sauce, so thats not a huge shocker. Just a comment about the ginger. Recipe by Soup Loving Nicole Published on July 6, 2020 Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 10 mins If frying in batches, let the tofu rest on a wire rack. When the chicken is done, transfer it to a bowl and decrease the heat to medium-low. To give a chewy texture to the tofu takes some planning ahead. Thank you Roger, theres lots more coming up! Simple meatless dishes always hit the spot. Key Ingredients Here's a quick rundown of the essential ingredients needed to make General Tso's Tofu. I love that it's baked instead of fried because it's so much healthier that way." Instead of pan frying you can cook your tofu in the air fryer. Comments that are abusive, vulgar, offensive, or personal attacks of any kind, will not be tolerated. Mince 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 Tablespoon ginger, 2 stalks green onion, 1/2 cup bell pepper. While this isnt a requirement, we highly recommend doing it this way. Make the cornstarch dredge by whisking everything together in a shallow bowl or plate. Set aside. Whisk together to blend. Often times, if your store has a natural section you can find it there. For my sweet version of this General Tso sauce, I use three tablespoons of sugar for every finished cup of sauce. Turning the knobs tighter every few minutes. Crispy Fried Tofu slathered in a Sweet & Spicy Sticky Sauce is a winner! Most people agree that breaded chicken bits tossed in a sweet, tart, savory and sometimes spicy glaze probably isnt all that authentic when it comes to actual Chinese food. General Tso chicken, have a look at my baked recipe here, Japanese Restaurant Style Ginger Salad Dressing, Classic Kimchi Fried Rice (Kimchi Bokkeumbap), How To Make Onigiri - (4 Easy Recipes! All content and photographs are copyright protected by us or our vendors. I added half a zucchini matchsticked and three green onions, chopped, used 1/4 c brown sugar, added a little sesame oil and some garlic powder and served It over fresh pasta. While oil is warming up, cut tofu into cubes. And lastly, you can cook the chicken in several batches to not crowd the pan. Optional ingredients are not supposed to be included in count, but it looks like broccoli was. Thank you for sharing your recipes and your experiences. It should not smoke so allow it to just heat. Recommendations for Kitchen Gear, Spices & Pantry Items, or what I use for my Photos and Videos, are HERE! Bubble until you have a thick, glossy sauce. I buy a small stalk of it, usually available in any grocery store or Asian store. Its cubed tofu cooked in a sweet & delicious lightened-up version of classic General Tsos sauce. All of these go in at the same time so I put them all on the same plate and have them ready in the cooking area. Vegetables/aromatics for the dish 2 cloves of roughly minced garlic. In fact, General Tsos is probably the most well known Asian fried chicken recipe of all. Learn how your comment data is processed. Transfer to the serving dish. Mix the General Tso sauce with Hoisin sauce, ketchup, and other seasonings. The tofu should be a light golden brown. You want to use an extra firm block of tofu for this recipe . Its cubed tofu cooked in a sweet & delicious lightened-up version of classic General Tsos sauce. Many of them are packed in water and need to be pressed but super firm tofu has already been pressed and is usually shrink wrapped with just a little bit of water. Garnish: 2 green onions, sliced . My family likes that recipe so I wanted a similar experience including flavor and texture. It needs a few hours to freeze all the way thru. While the chicken is cooking, start the sauce Whisk cornstarch into cup of water. Yes tofu is naturally gluten-free. This recipe will also work with firm tofu if needed. Add crispy tofu to the sauce and coat it well. The tofu should sizzle upon contact when you place it in the hot oil, if not wait for a few seconds until it heats up properly. Thanks! Sprinkle over half of the cornstarch, mix, add the second half, and mix. Add back the cooked tofu and add the sauce. Saut for 30-60 seconds until they are golden and fragrant. But for dishes like General Tso's tofu, where we're replacing fried chicken, I my go-to method is to dredge the tofu in cornstarch and shallow fry it in some oil. . It has a spicy, tangy sweetness that I am just drawn to in a big way. Add the soy sauce, salt, and white pepper, and gently mix. It smacks your lips delicious, that is. Easy peasy! Put it into a medium bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder, and salt. General Tso chicken is generally a sweet and somewhat spicy deep-fried chicken dish served in most North American Chinese restaurants. Hello! Once all tofu is fried, carefully add the oil to a metal bowl, and save the oil! Serves 4 as part of a multi-course meal. General Tso's chicken is a popular choice at most North American Chinese food restaurants. These will print and be saved for your next visit. I cant remember the last time I had General Tso Tofu, but I do remember always feeling just a little heavy after eating it. Home Recipes Tofu General Tso's Tofu, Published: December 30, 2021 by Sangeetha Vel | Updated: June 1, 2023 Leave a Comment. You can pick up your own on Amazon. This Tofu version is also made with the authentic Tso Sauce and is usually served over rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Ready in 5 minutes from start to finish! I love to create cozy recipes that bring the warmth of a log cabin right into your kitchen. See them for more similar recipes. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves. Spread the marinated tofu in a big pan. The tofu should be crispy and browned on all sides. Thank you for sharing it as my family did enjoy the meal. Your email address will not be published. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. The pressure cooker one used dry ginger, but the taste wasnt good. 1 teaspoon sesame oil. to press my tofu before I cook it. I add cut up red peppers when I add the garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes. . Put half the corn our into a food bag, add the tofu cubes and toss to coat, then add the remaining corn our and toss again. Heat up the frying oil in a large skillet to 350 F / 175 C. Carefully add the tofu cubes to the pan, you may need to do it in batches, make sure you don't crowd the pan. One of the most popular Chinese American dishes, were making vegan! teaspoon has minimal heat (1/10) but some pleasant taste. Whisk together. This press is unique in that it is made from BPA free plastic and stainless steel so it wont rust and will keep pressing for years to come. Set aside for 5 minutes to become slightly tacky. Check them out on Facebook to learn more. The press is substantially faster than spring based tofu presses. THAT is definitly a favorite recipe for me. You could also add a side of steamed vegetables (like broccoli) or traditional takeout sides (like dumplings). We were a strict meat and potatoes family. Or chop up some chicken tenders. 2 stalks of chopped green onion. Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon of arrowroot powder with the . Read our, 135 pages | 51 Recipes | Pantry Essentials | Cooking Essentials | Conversion Charts | Bonus 7 NEW and never published Recipes. General Tso's Tofu is crispy tofu cubes tossed in a sweet and savory Asian sauce. 1/2 Tablespoon roughly minced ginger. In a small bowl mix together cornstarch, hoisin sauce, coconut aminos, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, sesame seed oil and lime juice. On those nights, if were ordering Chinese, Ill usually go for General Tso tofu. I don't see this freezing well. "I love meals I can throw together in less than 30 minutes and this one sure scores high on the flavor scale. If you wish to use store-bought General Tso's Sauce, you are more than welcome. Let sit 15 minutes or refrigerate for up to 1 day. Yep still in the plastic with the water. This press is unique in that it is made from BPA free plastic and stainless steel so it wont rust and will keep pressing for years to come. 1 pound extra-firm tofu; 2 cups broccoli florets; . Ready in 30 minutes, this healthy alternative to takeout only has 269 calories and 4 grams of fat per serving. VEGAN GENERAL TSO'S TOFU INGREDIENTS: Below are notes about the main ingredients before we get into the full recipe located lower in this post on how to make this vegan tofu dish: Tofu - The star of the show! Let the tofu marinate for at least half an hour, the longer the better. Remove the tofu. The spiciest of the three General Tso chicken sauce recipes calls for three teaspoons of sriracha and three chopped Chinese dried red chilies per finished cup of sauce to really bring the fire. Second, let the coating set on the chicken for 5-10 minutes before cooking. While oil is warming up, cut tofu into cubes. General Tso's Tofu (Easy + Oil-free) - No Sweat Vegan This dish tastes great when served warm as soon as it is prepared. My all time favorite would be. This should take 1-2 minutes. Continue to stir over low heat until sauce thickens then remove from heat. This step can be done ahead of time. Toss again and then lay it out on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. General Tso's Sauce The Ingredients Here's what you'll need to make this sauce: Sesame oil, hoisin sauce, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and water. It's sweet, spicy, tangy, sticky, and absolutely irresistible! Lay out in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. And you could also find this recipe in a story format. Heat the sunflower oil in a wok or frying pan over a high heat and cook the tofu for 12 minutes on each side until golden brown. The whites are used to continue the "lighter" theme by decreasing the fat. Make sure the sauce is at room temperature, then place into a freezer safe container or bag. There are several stories concerning the origin of the dish, as well a number of variant names it goes by. *Sauce will thicken quickly at the end, be sure to remove quickly when it starts to thicken.*. Your email address will not be published. Then, use a tofu press to get the water out. Whisk together 2 egg whites or one whole egg, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.. Add the chicken back into the sauce and stir to coat.Transfer to the serving dish. Hi, I'm Sangeetha Vel! Alternatively, you could oven baked this tofu as well. Hoisin is commonly available in most markets and is worth buying for this recipe. General Tso refers to the sauce rather than the dish itself this sweet sticky sauce, usually served with chicken, is a staple of North American Chinese restaurants. How to make General Tso's tofu - Step by step Place the tofu cubes in a bowl or shallow dish ( Add the marinade ingredients (2 tablespoon of tamari and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar), stir and let rest for at least 5 minutes, preferably overnight ( photo 2 ). Also will be using a flat no-stick pan to bring everything together. If youre interested in reading more about this epic food journey, this article by Fuchsia Dunlop should sate your intrigue in a much more in-depth and historically accurate way. Yes! To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used. Would love your thoughts, please comment. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I'm not a vegetarian but this is the best General Tso's dish I've had. Stir occasionally until it begins to thicken. This recipe is best served over rice. Instructions. General Tso's Tofu - My Darling Vegan The short and quick answer is that there was a 19th Century, Qing Dynasty military leader named Zuo Zongtang from Hunan Province.