Glazed Tofu With Chile And Star Anise Food

GLAZED TOFU WITH CHILE AND STAR ANISE

Steps:

• Place the tofu blocks between paper towels and press gently to remove excess liquid.
• In a large skillet or cast-iron pan, warm the oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Season both sides of the tofu with salt and place in the pan; sear without moving until the contact side is browned, about 4 minutes. Turn the pieces over and sear the other side until browned, about 3 minutes. Transfer the tofu to a plate.
• Carefully add 1/2 cup water, the sugar and star anise to the pan. (The mixture will sputter and steam.) Cook, stirring, until the syrup is reduced and turns deep amber, 4 to 5 minutes. Pour in the stock carefully (again being mindful of sputtering), Shaoxing, soy sauce, garlic, ginger and chile and cook, stirring frequently, until reduced, syrupy and glossy, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Use your fingers to break the tofu into 1/2-inch pieces, return to the pan and add the scallion whites. Toss to coat with the sauce and cook until warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and discard the star anise and dried chile. Garnish with scallion greens and serve immediately with steamed rice.

GLAZED TOFU

Steps:

• Place the tofu in a resealable container so all the pieces lie flat in a single layer. In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, sugar, ginger, garlic, cayenne, black pepper, and ground chile. Then pour enough of the sauce over the tofu to completely coat it. Cover and refrigerate the tofu for at least 6 hours or overnight. If you have any extra marinade, cover and refrigerate it, too.
• Remove the tofu from the marinade, reserving the marinade. Heat a nonstick skillet over low heat. Pour about 1/4 of the marinade in the skillet and, once it starts to sizzle, add about 1/2 the tofu, taking care not to crowd the skillet. Pour a little more marinade from the container into the skillet so the tofu is covered. Cook the tofu, occasionally spooning the marinade over the tofu, until it's nicely glazed and caramelized, 6 to 8 minutes. Carefully flip the tofu and cook on the other side, occasionally spooning marinade over the tofu, until it's warmed through, 4 to 6 minutes more. If a more robust flavor is desired, continue to cook the tofu until the glaze simmers and reduces slightly. Repeat with the remaining marinade and tofu.
• Divvy the tofu among plates, drizzle with the sesame oil, if desired, and serve alongside steamed rice.

CRISPY ASIAN-GLAZED TOFU (5 INGREDIENTS)

Steps:

• Slice tofu width-wise into 6 slabs. Use a kitchen towel to gently press each slice to remove excess liquid; cut into 1-inch cubes.
• Combine hoisin, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, and vinegar in a small bowl; stir with a whisk.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add tofu and cook, untouched, for 3 minutes, until bottom of cubes are golden-brown. Toss and cook 5 extra minutes, tossing occasionally, to brown all sides. Add Asian glaze and cook 2 more minutes, stirring often, until tofu absorbs glaze and becomes caramelized. Remove from heat and serve.

CHILI GLAZED TOFU WITH SUGAR SNAP PEAS

Steps:

• Use a paper towel or cheese cloth to press out any extra moisture from the tofu. Season with salt and pepper. Cut into one inch cubes.
• Meanwhile, mix together the brown sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and Sriracha. Set aside.
• Heat the sesame oil over medium high heat. Add the sugar snap peas, cabbage, and carrots. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until tender but still crisp. Remove and set aside.
• Add half the vegetable oil to the pan. Add the tofu in one layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until browned and crisp. Remove and repeat with remaining tofu. Add the already cooked tofu to the pan along with the soy sauce mixture. Turn to coat. Stir in vegetables and cook until warm.

BUTTERMILK FRIED TOFU WITH SMOKY COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add collards and water; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and wilted, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vinegar, paprika and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover to keep warm.
• Meanwhile, cut tofu crosswise into 8 equal pieces. Blot with paper towels to remove excess water. Whisk buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne in a 7-by-11-inch baking dish. Add the tofu and turn to coat. Let stand, turning once, for 5 minutes.
• Place panko on a plate. Dredge the tofu in the panko, coating both sides.
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and cook until brown and crispy on one side, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the tofu over and drizzle in the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Cook until browned on the other side, about 4 minutes more.
• Sprinkle the tofu with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and serve with the collards and hot honey, if desired.

BROWN SUGAR AND SOY GLAZE

Steps:

• Combine the agave, mirin, molasses, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaf, chile and star anise in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer and reduce to a glaze, 10 to 15 minutes. Strain, discarding the solids.
• Use as a glaze for baked ham, or when cooking lamb, chicken or pork. Warm before using, so the glaze coats the meat evenly.

INSTANT POT PHO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Toss pad Thai sauce with tofu in a bowl and marinate for about 10 minutes. Spread tofu in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes.
• While the tofu is baking, cook noodles according to package instructions in a pot of boiling water. Drain and set aside.
• Add oil to the Instant Pot and set to saute for 8 minutes. Add onion, ginger, cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, coriander seeds and black pepper, stirring occasionally.
• Add vegetable broth, water and soy sauce. Secure the lid and make sure the valve is set to sealing. Change the setting to manual pressure for 15 minutes.
• Allow the Instant Pot to release pressure for 10 minutes before using the quick valve to release the remaining steam.
• Once pressure is released, carefully open lid strain and discard solids from the broth. Taste and season with salt as necessary.
• Divide noodles evenly between bowls. Add noodles and tofu to a bowl and pour broth over top. Top with desired toppings.