Black Pepper Tofu

Add brown rice, 1 cup water, and a pinch of salt to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until water is absorbed and grains are tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork. (4-serving meal: use 2 cups water)

Add tofu and cornstarch to a large bowl and toss. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu and cook, tossing occasionally, until browned in places, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer crispy tofu to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt. (4-serving meal: use 4 tbsp vegetable oil) TIP: If needed, work in batches for the 4-serving meal.

Return the large nonstick skillet to medium heat and melt the butter. Add garlic, ginger, shallot, and just 1 tsp bird’s eye chile. Cook until shallot softens, 1 to 2 minutes. In a small bowl, combine tamari and brown sugar and whisk until sugar dissolves. (4-serving meal: use 2 tsp bird’s eye chile) TIPS: Add more bird's eye chile if you prefer; keep remaining bird’s eye chile for your own use.

Add tofu, tamari mixture, scallion, celery, and 1½ tsp pepper to the skillet with aromatics. Cook until tofu is heated through, 3 to 4 minutes. (4-serving meal: use 1 tbsp pepper) TIPS: Do not wash the skillet; we’ll use it again in the next step. Add more pepper if you prefer more spice.

Divide the rice between bowls and top with the black pepper tofu. Return the large nonstick skillet to high heat and add gai lan and ¼ cup water. Sprinkle with salt and cook until gai lan is crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve Chinese broccoli on the side. Enjoy!