Crispy Spicy Peanut Tofu Stir Fry Food

CRISPY SPICY PEANUT TOFU STIR FRY

Steps:

• Slice tofu block into 1/2 inch thick slices. Place several paper towels down on a cutting board, lay the slices on top, top with several more paper towels and add weight to the top. I used a cutting board, ceramic insert from a slow cooker, and added a large can of tomatoes to the insert to add extra weight.
• This can be done in advance (see notes section below recipe).
• Drain tofu for 15-30 minutes, the longer the better!
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Slice tofu into strips, then cut across them to make small cubes.
• Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, spray lightly with cooking spray and bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden and crispy.
• Set pan aside while you make the sauce.
• Whisk sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.
• Add cooked tofu to the sauce and let it marinate for about 10-15 minutes.
• Steam broccoli (and/or other veggies) and set aside.
• Drizzle a bit of sesame or vegetable oil into a large skillet or wok, and heat over MED-HIGH heat.
• Using a slotted spoon, add the marinated tofu to the skillet and stir fry for a few minutes until seared and caramelized.
• Serve over rice, vegetables, and drizzle with remaining sauce if desired.
• Use a slotted spoon to spoon tofu into the preheated pan. Add a few spoonfuls of the sauce to coat. Cook, stirring frequently for a few minutes until browned. It will stick to the pan a bit, so don't worry. Remove from pan and set aside and cover to keep warm.

PAN-FRIED TOFU WITH SPICY PEANUT SAUCE

Steps:

• Drain tofu (i pressed gently between paper towels).
• Cut into bite-sized cubes.
• Toss with cornstarch, coating the cubes.
• Sprinkle a little salt and pepper.
• Heat some oil (about 3-4 tablespoon, just ensure pan is coated).
• Fry the tofu cubes in batches, making sure all sides are lightly browned.
• Drain on paper towels, then sprinkle with salt and pepper if desired.
• Sauce: Heat the milk in small saucepan (you can make sauce in microwave too).
• Add peanut butter, stirring well.
• Add other seasonings, according to personal taste (I love spicy food, so i added LOTS of chilli flakes!). If you use coconut milk, add 1/2 - 1 tsp of lime juice too - it will be great!
• Serve hot, as a snack or appetizer. Sometimes i serve them with a sweet Chinese dessert: Green Bean Soup.

CRISPY TOFU WITH SPICY PEANUT SAUCE

Steps:

• Drain tofu.
• Cut into 4 equal lengthwise slices.
• Place on a double thickness of tea towel, cover with another double thickness of tea towel and allow to stand for 15 minutes.
• Gently pat tofu dry.
• Using large nonstick frying pan, heat oil over medium heat.
• Coat tofu with cornstarch.
• Fry in hot oil until crispy and lightly coloured (about 4 to 5 minutes per side).
• Drain on paper towel.
• Place slices on dinner plate, drizzle with peanut sauce and sprinkle with green onions.
• Serve immediately.

SPICY TOFU STIR FRY

Steps:

• Cube tofu into approximately 1 by 2 inch pieces.
• Set on top of paper towels and press (not too hard, you don't want to mash the tofu) on the top with more paper towels to rid the tofu of excess moisture.
• Mix: chili garlic sauce, minced garlic, 1 T sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, rice wine, ginger, and chicken/veg stock.
• Add tofu into chili sauce mixture. Make sure all pieces are in contact with the liquid. Let soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Put frying pan over med-high heat. Once pan has heated, add 1 T sesame oil.
• Put marinated tofu in pan, brown all sides.
• Remove tofu and set aside.
• Add cornstarch slurry to remaining marinade, mix. (Add a few more tablespoons of soy sauce or rice wine or vinegar if necessary--you want this to be enough to eventually coat the vegetables as a light sauce).
• Put mushrooms and peppers into frying pan. Stir constantly over high heat for 2 minutes.
• Add green onion and napa cabbage. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes.
• Pour leftover marinade over vegetables, stir. Add browned tofu and chopped cilantro. When heated through, remove from heat.
• Serve with rice.