Crimson Masala

LAY HO MA (how's it going in Cantonese)! Prepare to cancel all your plans to make this extraordinary salty, spicy, aromatic recipe! Join me in this episode and learn how to make the most amazing tofu masala recipe right in your very own kitchen! Let's begin

Ingredients:

• 1 red onion
• 1 long green chili pepper
• 1-2 pieces garlic
• small piece ginger
• 5 shallots
• 350g extra firm tofu
• 2 roma tomatoes
• 4 cardamom pods
• 1 tbsp avocado oil
• 3 tbsp chili oil
• 2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• 3 dried chili peppers
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 turmeric
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 1/4 + 1/3 cup water
• 1/2 cup tomato purée
• 1/4 + 2 tbsp coconut cream
• cilantro to serve

Directions:

1. Finely chop the red onion and long green chili pepper. Grate the garlic and ginger. Peel the shallots and chop in half
2. Pat dry the extra firm tofu with a paper towel. Then, slice into bite sized chunks. Dice the roma tomatoes. Use the butt of the knife to crack open the cardamom pods and extract the seeds
3. Heat up a sauté pan to medium heat. Add the avocado oil followed by the tofu. Sear for 4-5min to get some nice colour
4. Add the shallots and sauté for another 3-4min. Then, set aside
5. Bring the sauté pan back to medium heat. Add the chili oil followed by the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, dried chili peppers, and the seeds from the cardamom pods. Fry in the oil for a couple of minutes
6. Add the red onions and sauté for 3-4min. Add the garlic, ginger, and green chili pepper. Sauté for another couple of minutes
7. Add the sweet and smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, turmeric, salt, and garam masala. Sauté for a couple of minutes
8. Deglaze with 1/4 cup of water. Give the pan a good stir and cook for a couple of minutes. Add the roma tomatoes and cook for 3-4mins
9. Add the tomato purée and cook for a couple of minutes. Add back in the tofu and shallots. Give the pan a good stir. Add 1/3 cup water and give the pan another good stir. Then, cover and cook just under medium heat for 10min
10. Add the 1/4 cup coconut cream and stir to combine
11. Plate and garnish with some fresh cilantro and a drizzle more of coconut cream