Pan Fried Tofu Food

PERFECT PAN FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• Start by prepping the tofu. If you have a tofu press, you can use that.* Otherwise, wrap the tofu in a dish towel and place it on a rimmed plate or baking sheet. balance a large skillet or pan on top of the tofu block and weigh it down with something heavy (I usually use a couple of cans). Make sure that it's evenly pressing down on the tofu and not lop sided. Press for 15 minutes.
• Pat the tofu dry and cut it into 1/2-1 inch cubes. Mine usually end up about 2/3 of an inch thick on all sides. If you're not planning to toss this in the sauce, you can now toss the tofu with a bit of salt and pepper and any other spices that will go well with your dish.
• In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add in the tofu in a single layer. Watch the tofu but do not touch it for at least 5 minutes. The bottom will form a nice crust after about 5 minutes at which time you can flip it and continue to cook it on all sides, about 10 more minutes. In my skillet a few pieces on the edges stuck a little but most turned out perfect. Continue to cook until you reach your desired level of crispiness.
• While the tofu cooks, whisk together all of the sauce ingredients. Toss the sauce into the skillet with the tofu and cook for a couple of additional minutes until thickened a bit and heated through.
• Serve and ENJOY!

PAN-FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• Slice tofu into 1/4-inch slabs.
• Place nutritional yeast on a plate. Mix in garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Roll tofu slices in the nutritional yeast mixture until evenly coated.
• Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over low to medium heat. Add tofu slices; cook until golden brown and crispy, 3 to 5 minutes per side.

SIMPLE PAN-FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• Place tofu onto a plate and place another plate on top. Set a 3 to 5 pound weight on top. Press tofu for 20 to 30 minutes; drain and discard the accumulated liquid.
• Cut tofu into 2x4-inch strips about 1/4-inch thick.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium-low heat. Cook tofu strips in the oil until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Stack tofu strips horizontally in a dish with sloping sides, like a teacup saucer.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in the same skillet. Add green onions; cook and stir until fragrant, 10 to 20 seconds. Spoon green onions over tofu while they are still sizzling. Coat with soy sauce. Let sit until tofu soaks up flavors, 3 to 5 minutes.

THE BEST PAN-FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• Take your block of tofu and wrap it in several layers of paper towels.
• Gently press the tofu with your hands or against the counter top to release the liquid. This will take about a minute.
• Slice the tofu into pieces about 1/2 an inch thick.
• Set tofu aside.
• If you are using a non-stick pan heat it slightly on medium-high heat (about 30 seconds) before adding oil.
• If you are using a cast iron pan, please heat for about 1 minute to 1 1/2 minutes on medium-high heat. Cast iron is very thick and you want the pan to be heated evenly before adding the tofu.
• Add oil to heated pan.
• Gently spread oil over the entire surface of the pan.
• Set the tofu pieces in the pan, leaving ample room between them. They should sizzle when placed in the oil. Sprinkle the tops with salt and a little cayenne pepper.
• Now, the MOST IMPORTANT step is -- LEAVE THEM ALONE for about 6 or 7 minutes. Just gently shake them to make sure they don't stick to the pan. Do NOT turn them or agitate them in any other way. When you see a golden crust beginning to creep its way up the sides of the slices, turn them and spice the other side. Add more oil if the pan seems too dry.
• The second side will only take about 4 minutes to cook.
• When they are evenly browned take them out of the pan and place them on paper towels to drain.
• These are very simply seasoned and basic and can now be used any way you like. I like these with steamed broccoli and peanut sauce -- or in a sandwich with grilled peppers and mushrooms and aioli -- or just eaten with ketchup:-).

SHEET PAN FRIED RICE WITH TOFU

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and ginger in a medium bowl until just combined. Set aside. Combine the rice, tofu and vegetables in a large bowl. Add the sauce and gently fold together with a rubber spatula until the rice is fully coated. Spread the mixture on the prepared baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until slightly browned, another 12 to 15 minutes. Garnish with the scallions and serve with hot sauce, if desired.

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.

PAN-FRIED TOFU WITH SPICY PEANUT SAUCE

Steps:

• Drain tofu (i pressed gently between paper towels).
• Cut into bite-sized cubes.
• Toss with cornstarch, coating the cubes.
• Sprinkle a little salt and pepper.
• Heat some oil (about 3-4 tablespoon, just ensure pan is coated).
• Fry the tofu cubes in batches, making sure all sides are lightly browned.
• Drain on paper towels, then sprinkle with salt and pepper if desired.
• Sauce: Heat the milk in small saucepan (you can make sauce in microwave too).
• Add peanut butter, stirring well.
• Add other seasonings, according to personal taste (I love spicy food, so i added LOTS of chilli flakes!). If you use coconut milk, add 1/2 - 1 tsp of lime juice too - it will be great!
• Serve hot, as a snack or appetizer. Sometimes i serve them with a sweet Chinese dessert: Green Bean Soup.

FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• Lightly grease a non-stick pan with oil.
• Put tamari (soy sauce) in a bowl.
• In another bowl mix yeast and spices.
• Slice tofu into 1/4-inch slices.
• Dip tofu in the tamari and then in the yeast mixture.
• Fry until golden; flip and brown the other side.
• Add a bit of oil if necessary.