Deep Fried Tofu With Pineapple Sweet Chilli Basil Food

DEEP-FRIED TOFU WITH PINEAPPLE, SWEET CHILLI & BASIL

Steps:

• Split the chillies down the middle and remove the seeds. Pound the halved chillies a few times with a pestle or the end of a rolling pin (this will soften the flesh and release the flavours). Finely chop and mix with the garlic and palm sugar in a large pan. Cook until the sugar starts to boil. Add the pineapple and cook for 5 mins until the pineapple softens, and the sugar starts to caramelise and turn brown. Add the fish sauce and tamarind. Return to the boil, then take off the heat.
• Heat 5-10cm of oil in a wok and roll the tofu in the cornflour. Fry the basil leaves so that they crisp, then transfer to kitchen paper to drain. Fry about 5-6 pieces of tofu at a time until golden brown, then leave to drain on kitchen paper. Keep warm in a low oven while you fry the rest.
• Warm the sauce through. Place a few cubes of tofu on each plate, pour over the sauce and sprinkle with the basil.

HOT AND SPICY TOFU

Steps:

• Heat peanut oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Toss the tofu into the oil, and cook until browned on all sides. Once browned, toss in onion, bell pepper, chile pepper, and garlic; cook until just tender, about 5 minutes.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the hot water, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, and red pepper flakes. Pour over tofu and vegetables, toss to coat, and simmer 3 to 5 minutes, or until sauce thickens slightly.

BREADED, FRIED, SOFTLY SPICED TOFU

Steps:

• Cut pressed tofu into 1/2-inch thick slices; then cut again into 1/2-inch wide sticks. Place tofu in a bowl, and pour broth over the top. Set aside to soak.
• In a separate bowl, stir together flour, yeast, salt, pepper, sage, and cayenne.
• Warm oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Remove tofu sticks from broth, and squeeze most (but not all) of the liquid from them. Roll sticks in breading. (You may have to roll sticks twice to end up with a fairly dry outer layer of breading.) Place tofu in hot oil; fry until crisp and browned on all sides. Add more oil if necessary.