Crispy Tofu Yums Food

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.

CRISPY TOFU YUMS

Steps:

• Place 2 layers of paper towels on a flat work surface; arrange tofu slices on top. Cover tofu slices with a baking sheet. Place cans, jars, or book on top of the baking sheet. Press tofu for 15 minutes. Remove weights and discard accumulated liquid.
• Mix lemon juice, tamari, and garlic together in a bowl.
• Place tofu slices on the baking sheet; pour lemon juice mixture on top. Let tofu marinate for 15 minutes.
• Preheat a large skillet over medium heat; pour in olive oil. Add tofu slices in a single layer. Cover and cook until golden brown on the bottom, 5 to 7 minutes. Flip tofu and continue to cook, covered, until golden brown on the second side, about 5 minutes more. Remove lid and cook uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes. Repeat with remaining tofu.

CRISPY TOFU

Steps:

• Drain the tofu, wrap in 4-5 sheets of kitchen paper, put on a plate and put something heavy over the top, like a wooden chopping board, or a tray with a few tins on it. Leave for 20 mins to drain the excess moisture from the tofu.
• Mix the cornflour, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Unravel the tofu from the paper, cut in half through the centre, then cut into triangles, cubes or strips.
• Toss the tofu pieces in the spiced cornflour to coat all over. Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. Fry the tofu for 2-4 mins on each side until golden, crunchy and browned at the edges. Smaller cubes will take 2 mins each side, larger triangles will take 4 mins. Cook in batches if you need to, adding a little more oil if the pan gets dry.
• Drain the cooked tofu on kitchen paper and season with a pinch more salt before serving.

CRISPY TOFU YUMS

Steps:

• Place 2 layers of paper towels on a flat work surface; arrange tofu slices on top. Cover tofu slices with a baking sheet. Place cans, jars, or book on top of the baking sheet. Press tofu for 15 minutes. Remove weights and discard accumulated liquid.
• Mix lemon juice, tamari, and garlic together in a bowl.
• Place tofu slices on the baking sheet; pour lemon juice mixture on top. Let tofu marinate for 15 minutes.
• Preheat a large skillet over medium heat; pour in olive oil. Add tofu slices in a single layer. Cover and cook until golden brown on the bottom, 5 to 7 minutes. Flip tofu and continue to cook, covered, until golden brown on the second side, about 5 minutes more. Remove lid and cook uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes. Repeat with remaining tofu.

TOFU YUM-YUM RICE BOWL

Steps:

• Place tofu on a rimmed baking sheet layered with paper towels; top with several more paper towels and press gently to squeeze out excess liquid. Transfer tofu to a shallow baking dish.
• Give garlic, soy sauce, chili paste, cilantro, and ginger a whirl in a blender, scraping down the sides as needed, until smooth, about 3 minutes (consistency will be similar to ketchup). Pour over tofu and turn to coat. Chill at least 2 hours.
• Do ahead: Tofu can be marinated 12 hours ahead. Cover and keep chilled.
• Place rice in a sieve and rinse under cold running water, rubbing with your fingers, until water runs clear. (This yields fluffy grains that won't clump.) Let drain 5 minutes.
• Transfer rice to a medium saucepan; cover with 3 cups water and season with salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, 12-15 minutes.
• Remove saucepan from heat and fluff rice with a fork. Cover with a kitchen towel, then replace lid. Let sit 10 minutes for steam to absorb.
• Pour oil into a medium pot to a depth of 2" and fit pot with thermometer. Heat oil over medium-high until thermometer registers 350°.
• Place cornstarch in a shallow bowl. Working in batches, remove tofu from marinade (do not scrape it off) and toss in cornstarch; shake off excess. Working in batches, fry tofu, turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet; let drain.
• Divide rice among bowls. Make a small well in the center of each and nestle a poached egg inside. Top with fried tofu, then kimchi, cilantro, basil, scallions, peanuts, and sesame seeds.