Crispy Salt Pepper Tofu Food

CRISPY SALT & PEPPER TOFU

Steps:

• Press tofu to remove excess moisture. To do so, line a plate with several paper towels. Place tofu on paper towels and top with two or three more paper towels. Place three or four more plates on top of the tofu, making sure they're well-balanced. Drain for 20 - 30 minutes, checking occasionally to make sure plates are still balanced (toppling plates = bummer!)
• Remove tofu from paper towels. Place on cutting board and cut tofu into squares or rectangles, as desired.
• Add the vegetable or canola oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add the corn starch, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to a large plate or shallow baking dish. Mix.
• Working in batches, dredge the tofu in the corn starch mixture, turning to coat evenly.
• Carefully add tofu to hot oil in skillet. Cook over medium-high for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally to brown all sides.
• Remove tofu from pan and place on several paper towels, blotting to remove excess oil.
• Serve as desired.

SALT & PEPPER TOFU

Steps:

• Drain the tofu, wrap loosely in kitchen paper and put on a plate. Rest a chopping board on top. If you're using a light chopping board, weigh it down with a couple of cans - a heavier chopping board will be sufficient on its own. Leave for 10-20 mins until the cloth feels wet from the excess liquid. Pressing the tofu like this helps to give it a firmer texture once cooked.
• Cut the tofu in half down the centre like a book. Cut each piece into four triangles, as you would a piece of toast, then in half again to give you 16 pieces in total. Mix the cornflour, ground pepper and 1 tsp flaky sea salt on a plate. Gently turn each piece of tofu in the cornflour mix to coat.
• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok. Stir-fry the peppers and broccoli for a few minutes, to soften a little. Add the beansprouts and soy sauce. Cook for another 1-2 mins, making sure the veg still has a nice crunch. Drizzle with a little sesame oil.
• Heat the remaining sunflower oil in a large non-stick frying pan and fry the coated tofu for 5 mins on each side until crisp. Serve on top of the vegetables, scattered with the coriander.

SALT AND PEPPER TOFU

Steps:

• To make the seasoning, combine the salt, sugar, white pepper, five-spice powder and ground ginger in a small bowl, and stir to combine. Set aside.
• Place the drained tofu onto a clean kitchen towel and pat dry. Cut the tofu into ¾-inch cubes.
• Scatter ¼ cup of the cornstarch onto a large plate or sheet pan. Carefully place the tofu cubes onto the cornstarch, then scatter the remaining cornstarch on top of the tofu. Using clean hands, gently dab each side of the tofu into the cornstarch until it is coated on all sides.
• Line a large plate with a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel.
• Heat a large (12-inch) nonstick or well seasoned cast-iron skillet on medium-high. Add 3 tablespoons of neutral oil and heat until the oil shimmers. Making sure the tofu pieces are not touching each other (you may need to work in batches), add the coated tofu to the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until the tofu is golden and crispy. Remove and place on the paper or kitchen towel to absorb excess oil. Continue with remaining tofu, adding more oil as needed.
• The empty skillet should still have a small amount of oil, but if it doesn't, add 1 tablespoon more of oil. With the skillet over medium heat, add the scallions and pepper and stir-fry for 30 to 60 seconds until softened and fragrant. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on the same paper or kitchen towel.
• Transfer the tofu to a plate and sprinkle with about half of the salt and pepper seasoning. Top with scallions and pepper. Serve with rice and the remaining salt and pepper seasoning.

CHINESE SALT AND PEPPER TOFU

Steps:

• Drain the tofu: Place several paper towels on a cutting board; place the tofu on the cutting board, and then place a heavy object such as a plate or book on top.
• Drain the tofu for at least 15 minutes, changing the paper towels as required (If possible, it's helpful to tilt the cutting board so that the water drains directly into the sink).
• Cut the tofu into cubes.
• Mix together the tofu with the salt, garlic powder, and black pepper, and allow to marinate for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator.
• Toss the tofu cubes with cornstarch to coat.
• Heat oil in wok or large skillet.
• Carefully add the tofu to the wok, add fry in small batches until tofu is golden; drain on paper toweling, and serve hot.
• Serve with Asian condiments, if desired.

SALT AND PEPPER TOFU

Steps:

• With a sharp knife, cut tofu, lengthwise into thirds. Place side-by-side on an absorbent towel and cover with an additional towel. Place a heavy pot on top of the towels to get as much water out of the tofu as possible. If you can let it set like that for 20-30 minutes, great. If not, just get out as much water as you can.
• Cut tofu into 1" cubes.
• In a large bowl, combine jalapeño, garlic, ginger, salt, pepper, sugar and five-spice powder. Stir well and add tofu cubes. Toss until tofu cubes are well coated on all sides.
• In a large skillet, heat oil and add tofu (and spices). Cook on medium-low heat, 8 minutes, turning cubes every 1-2 minutes. Add green onions and cook an additional 2 minutes, until tofu is golden brown.