Chop tofu in cubes. Before chopping, do press the tofu between two weights or keep a weight on top to remove excess water or moisture from it.
Dab with paper towels to remove the moisture from the tofu. Take the tofu cubes in a bowl and sprinkle 1 tbsp corn starch on them. Substitutes for corn starch are arrowroot flour or tapioca starch.
pan frying tofu
Gently toss and coat the tofu cubes with the flour.
Now heat 2 tbsp sesame oil or any oil in a frying pan.
Pan fry the tofu cubes till they are crisp and light golden.
Remove and keep aside. You can even keep the fried tofu on paper towels to remove excess oil.
making salt and pepper tofu
Now in the same pan, add 1/3 cup chopped spring onion whites or regular onions, 1 dry red chili (broken and deseeded), 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic and 1 tbsp finely chopped ginger.
On a medium flame, saute for 1 to 2 minutes or till the onions turn translucent.
Then add crushed 4 to 5 sichuan peppercorns (crushed), 1 tsp black pepper (crushed) and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes (optional). Stir well.
Then add 1 to 2 tsp soy sauce. Stir very well.
Now add the pan fried tofu.
Season with salt. Keep a check on salt as soy sauce already has salt. Stir well.
Then add 1/2 tsp rice vinegar and 1/2 to 1 tsp rice wine (optional). Stir again.
Switch off the flame and add 1 to 2 tbsp chopped spring onion greens.
Lastly stir and serve salt and pepper tofu as a starter or as side dish.