Black Pepper Tofu, "Clay Pot" style

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil (plus 4 Tbsp for the sauce; see below)
• 3 shallots, diced
• 3 green onions / scallions, diced
• 2 tsp fresh ginger, minced
• 1 large carrot, sliced
• 1 small Savoy cabbage, cut into approx. 1 inch squares
• 2 packages firm tofu, cut into bite-sized rectangles
• 1/4 cup black peppercorns, crushed with a mortar and pestle.
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch
• 6 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 3 Tbsp oyster sauce
• 3 Tbsp mirin (sweetened rice wine)
• 4 Tbsp vegetable oil