Marinated Tofu The Best Tofu Ever Food

MARINATED TOFU

Steps:

• While the tofu is pressing in a small bowl whisk together the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, garlic, Italian spice and Braggs and set aside. (you can also do this right in the ziplock bag????)
• Slice the tofu into approximately 1 inch cubes. Add the tofu to a large freezer bag with the marinade, making sure it is all coated. Squeeze the excess air out, seal and refrigerate for 30 minutes or overnight (longer is better but 30 minutes works great). After 30 minutes strain the tofu and reserve the marinade.
• Heat up a large non stick skillet on medium high heat with the oil. Once hot add the tofu and distribute evenly in the pan. Let cook for 3-5 minutes without touching so a crust forms. Flip and cook an additional 3 minutes or so, careful not to burn the garlic. If you find the pan to hot turn it down to medium heat.
• Remove from heat and add the reserved marinade, stirring until evaporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste (brings out all the flavour) Serve hot or cold and enjoy! For step by step photos, tips, suggestions and more cooking methods (oil free) see above post.

MARINATED TOFU (THE BEST TOFU EVER!)

Steps:

• Quick press the tofu: Cut the tofu into cubes. Place them evenly on a flat surface such as a cutting board lined with paper towels or a clean towel. Cover with a layer of paper towels, set a baking sheet on top and then something heavy, like a large book or cast iron skillet. Press like this for 15 minutes while you make the marinade.
• Make the marinade: In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, garlic and ginger.
• Marinate the tofu: Place the pressed tofu pieces in a shallow dish. (In the photos above I doubled the recipe, so I used a 9 x 13 inch dish, but for one batch you will need a smaller dish, such as an 8 x 8 inch.) Pour the marinade over the tofu. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour, covered, in the refrigerator. If you want to leave it overnight, it will be even more flavorful.
• Cook the tofu: In a large skillet, cast iron preferred, add a few tablespoons of a neutral oil, such as canola oil and heat over medium-high heat. You can omit the oil if needed, but you will need a very good non-stick pan so the tofu pieces don't stick. Remove the tofu pieces from the marinade and add to the pan. Do not discard the marinade sauce. Fry the tofu until golden brown on each side.
• Once the tofu pieces are browned, pour any leftover marinade sauce into the pan with the tofu, and stir to coat. This makes the tofu even more flavorful! The tofu will quickly absorb the sauce. Remove from heat, and serve with rice and stir fried vegetables such as baby bok choy, mushrooms and carrots.
• Store leftover tofu in a covered container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. It's also good cold, as a high protein snack or in sandwiches and salads.

PERFECT GRILLED TOFU

Steps:

• Wrap tofu in a clean dish towel and weight it with something heavy such as a large can; leave it to drain for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix together remaining ingredients in a bowl.
• Cut each piece of tofu crosswise into 6 thick slices and put it all in a baking dish. Pour marinade over tofu, turning to coat, and chill, covered, turning occasionally, at least 30 minutes or up to 48 hours. Longer is better, but shorter is totally fine.
• Preheat a gas grill on high heat (450 degrees F to 650 degrees F) 10 minutes, then reduce heat to medium (325 degrees F to 375 degrees F)--or do whatever the equivalent is if you're using charcoal. Oil grate.
• Transfer tofu from marinade (letting excess drip off and reserving marinade) to grill with a spatula. Cover grill and cook tofu, turning once, until well browned but before grill marks get black, 10 to 15 minutes total. Transfer tofu to a platter and cover with foil to keep warm.
• Bring reserved marinade to a boil in a saucepan and boil until it reduces to about 1 cup, about 2 minutes. Pour over tofu and serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.

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.

THE BEST EVER TOFU BACON

Steps:

• 1. Slice partially thawed tofu into very thin slices. In a small bowl combine nutritional yeast, oil, syrup, tamari, salt, liquid smoke, salt and garlic powder and whisk until combined as much as possible.
• 2. Pour bowl mixture into shallow baking dish. Place tofu slices in same dish so they are submerged in the liquid. Marinate for at least five minutes, but no longer than overnight. Be aware, tofu marinated too long will become delicate and easily break.
• 3.Heat sunflower oil in medium cast iron skillet and fry tofu, about three minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and serve.

MARINATED TOFU FOR MEAT-EATERS WHO HATE TOFU

Steps:

• Place the tofu (still in its packaging) into the freezer for at least 24 hours. Keeping it in there longer doesn't hurt it.
• Remove the tofu from the freezer and defrost by bringing a pot of water to a boil and placing the frozen block of tofu (still in its packaging) in the pot for 10 minutes or until defrosted.
• Remove the tofu from the packaging (finally!) and cut the block laterally in half so you have two block-sized slabs that are half the width.
• Slice each slab lengthwise into three and place on a clean dish towel or paper towels. Cover the six pieces with another dish towel and place a cutting board or baking tray or other flat object on top. Place heavy cans or books onto the board and let sit for 15-30 minutes.
• Cut the tofu lengths into cubes and place into marinade for a minimum of 30 minutes.
• Remove from the marinade and dust the tofu cubes with flour.
• Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
• Shallow fry the cubes until all sides are golden brown and crispy.
• Serve hot with rice or couscous and a puddle of the marinade as a dipping sauce.