Crispy Pressed Tofu With Garlic And Mint Food

MAGIC GARLIC TOFU

Steps:

• Prepare your baked tofu according to recipe instructions.
• Meanwhile, as your baked tofu (above) is draining and later baking, prep all of your ingredients for the black pepper sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together water, soy sauce, maple syrup, black pepper, cornstarch and ground ginger until combined. Set aside.
• In a large sauté pan, heat the butter (or oil) over medium-high heat until melted. Add the red onion and jalapeño, and sauté for 4-5 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and sauté for 2 more minutes, or until fragrant, stirring occasionally.
• Slowly pour in the soy sauce mixture, and stir until combined. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches a simmer and then thickens.
• Remove pan from heat. Add in the baked tofu, and toss until it is evenly coated in the sauce.
• Serve warm, garnished with lots of toppings as desired.

THE BEST CRISPY TOFU

Steps:

• Wrap the tofu in a clean dish towel and place on top of a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. Place a heavy pan on top of the tofu and let it sit for 5 minutes to release as much moisture as possible. Unwrap the tofu and slice lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick by 1 1/2-inch-wide planks.
• Whisk the soy sauce, lime juice, agave syrup, scallion whites and sriracha together in a small bowl and set aside. Mix the panko, sesame seeds, cornstarch, garlic salt, onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper in a pie dish or shallow bowl. Press the tofu planks into the panko mixture to coat on all sides.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and cook, undisturbed, until deep golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip the tofu with a metal spatula and continue cooking undisturbed until a deep golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes more. Transfer to a platter.
• Reduce the heat to low and add the soy-sauce mixture to the pan. Cook until bubbling and slightly thicker, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour the sauce over the tofu planks and sprinkle with the scallion greens.