posted by RisaG 07-23-99 6:31 PM 
8 oz regular tofu -- drain/cut 1/2" cubes 
1/4 cup vegetable stock 
1 tsp cornstarch 
2 tsp red chile paste -- from Asian markets* 
2 tsp brown sugar 
1 tbsp soy sauce 
1 tsp peanut oil 
4 tbsp safflower oil, divided 
3 cups mushrooms -- stemmed & sliced 
1 tbsp fresh ginger -- peeled & minced 
2 cloves garlic -- minced 
2 tbsp serrano chile -- minced** 
1/2 cup red bell pepper -- sliced 
1/2 cup scallions -- sliced 
freshly cooked rice 
Place a double layer of paper towels in a colander. 
Place the tofu cubes on the towels to drain for at least 25 minutes. 
Combine the vegetable stock and cornstarch in a bowl until the cornstarch 
is dissolved.
 Whisk in the chile paste, brown sugar, soy sauce 
and peanut oil. 
Set the mixture aside. 
Heat two tablespoons of the safflower oil in a wok (or large pan) over 
high heat. 
Add the tofu and stir-fry until it is light brown. 
Remove the tofu from the wok and place on a plate, using a slotted spoon. 
Put the rest of the safflower oil in the wok and continue to heat on
 high. 
Add the mushrooms first, and stir-fry for about 5 minutes. 
Next, add the rest of the ingredients, including the tofu, and stir-fry
 for about another minute. 
Last, stir the broth-cornstarch mixture into the wok and bring to a boil. 
Divide the rice onto plates and top with tofu-vegetable stir-fry. 
Heat Scale: Medium