Lemongrass Tofu Food

LEMONGRASS TOFU - 香茅豆腐

Steps:

• To prepare the lemongrass, remove the tough outer layer, then cut the bulb off and roughly chop the white part. Reserve the upper stalk (the green part) for tea or soup stock.
• Peel off the garlic skin. Place both ingredients in a food processor (I used a hand pull processor) and chop until fine.
• To prepare the tofu, remove tofu from its packaging, drain and lightly press to remove the excess moisture. Slice into large rectangles or your desired size.
• In a large non-stick pan with oil, pan-fry tofu until golden brown on both sides. Dish out and set aside.
• Heat a wok and add in about 3 tablespoons of cooking oil, then, sauté shallots, lemongrass, garlic until fragrant or until shallots turn translucent.
• Add the Thai chilis, tofu, sauce ingredients, and toss to combine.
• Serve Lemongrass tofu with rice and garnishes.

LEMONGRASS TOFU

Steps:

• The tofu should be drained of water, and then each block cut into 3 rectangles in the longest direction. Each rectangle can then be cut on the diagonal to form 2 triangles each. Place in a shallow pan. Mix together the lime leaves, kecap manis, soy sauce, garlic, lemon juice and lemongrass. Pour the marinade over the tofu and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours, or overnight.
• Remove the tofu from the marinade, reserving the marinade. Pat it dry so it doesn't splatter in the pan. Coat the bottom of a nonstick pan with oil over medium-high heat and saute until the tofu is golden brown on both sides and barely crispy around the edges, 2 to 3 minutes. The sugars in the marinade will affect the rate of browning, so if the tofu seems to be getting dark too fast, it's ok to lower the heat to ensure that it will be hot all the way through.
• Remove the tofu and add the reserved marinade. Boil to heat through. Adjust the seasoning with chili sauce, if using, and serve over rice and alongside your favorite vegetable.

SPICY LEMONGRASS TOFU

Steps:

• Combine the lemongrass, soy sauce, chiles, chile flakes, turmeric, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Add the tofu cubes and turn to coat them evenly. Marinate for 30 minutes.
• Heat half of the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat. Add the onion, shallot and garlic and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the onions are soft, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
• Wipe the pan clean and heat the remaining oil over moderate heat. Add the tofu mixture and, using chopsticks or wooden spoons, turn so it cooks evenly, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the onion mixture and cook, uncovered, for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add half the peanuts and all the pepper leaves.
• Remove from the heat and transfer to a serving plate. Garnish with the remaining peanuts and serve immediately with steamed rice.
• Place the peanuts on a cookie tray and bake in a preheated 325 degree F oven until golden, about 20 minutes. Halfway into the baking, gently shake the tray so the peanuts roast evenly. (You can also roast the peanuts in a dry pan over low heat). Remove and set aside. Use the peanuts whole or coarsely chop them with a mortar and pestle, a food processor or a knife.
• Yield: 1 cup

SPICY LEMONGRASS TOFU

Steps:

• 1. Combine the lemongrass, soy sauce, chilies, chili flakes, turmeric, sugar and salt in a bowl. Add the tofu cubes and turn to coat them evenly. Marinate for 30 minutes.
• 2. Heat half of the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat. Add the onion, shallot and garlic and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the onions are soft, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
• 3. Wipe the pan clean and heat the remaining oil over moderate heat. Add the tofu mixture and, using chopstick or wooden spoons, turn so it cooks evenly, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the onion mixture and cook, uncovered, for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add half the peanuts and all the pepper leaves.
• 4. Remove from the heat and transfer to a serving plate. Garnish with the remaining peanuts and serve immediately with steamed rice.