Pan Fried Tofu With Green Tea And Honey Dressing Food

FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• Add the tofu cubes, tamari or soy sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper to a large bowl, mix until well combined, and let it rest for at least 5 minutes.
• Drain the tofu and transfer 1/3 of the tofu cubes into a freezer bag with 1 or 2 tbsp of cornstarch and toss to coat. Repeat this step with the remaining tofu and cornstarch. Add more cornstarch if needed.
• If you don't want to use a freezer or plastic bag, just add the cornstarch to a shallow dish, then the tofu cubes and toss to coat.
• Once the tofu cubes are coated with the cornstarch, heat the oil in a skillet or a pan and add the tofu cubes. I used extra virgin olive oil, but any oil will do.
• Cook the tofu cubes over medium-high heat until all sides are golden brown. Remove the tofu from the skillet and place it onto a plate or a wire rack.
• Serve immediately with dishes like vegetable tempura, sauteed kale, vegan stuffed peppers, or even roasted red peppers.
• Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

PERFECT PAN FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• Cut the tofu into large cubes (about 1.5″ x 2″) and pat it dry with a towel. Add the olive oil to a non-stick pan and add the tofu cubes and a few pinches kosher salt.
• Turn on the heat to medium-high. Cook 5 to 6 minutes until lightly browned on the bottom.
• Briefly remove the pan from the heat to reduce spitting. Flip the tofu with chopsticks (the easiest method!) or tongs. Return the heat to medium-high and cook additional 5 to 6 minutes until browned.
• Briefly remove from the heat again and drizzle with the sesame oil and soy sauce (watch for spitting). Return to low heat and cook an 2 minutes, then flip the and cook another 2 minutes, until the color is darkened. Serve immediately.

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 CRISP TOFU AND SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Arrange tofu pieces, cut sides down, on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Cover with another kitchen towel, and place a flat cutting board on top. If your cutting board is lightweight, stack a few cans or a skillet on top to weigh it down. Let tofu drain for at least 10 minutes (and up to 30 minutes), then transfer to a cutting board. Cut strips into 3/4-inch pieces (1-inch thick), and transfer to a medium bowl.
• In a small bowl, whisk together oil, tamari, honey and 1 teaspoon vinegar. Toss half the mixture with the tofu, then toss in cornstarch. Arrange in a single layer on a rimmed sheet pan.
• On a separate rimmed sheet pan, toss together potato wedges, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer; do not crowd the pan. If they don't all fit, arrange extra wedges on the pan with the tofu.
• Bake tofu and potatoes until browned, 35 to 40 minutes, flipping them halfway through. If the tofu sticks (and this is likely), use a thin metal spatula to carefully loosen each one before flipping. A small offset spatula is perfect here.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine scallions, 1 tablespoon vinegar and a large pinch each sugar and salt. Let sit while tofu and potatoes roast.
• To serve, toss tofu with some of the reserved tamari sauce, to taste. Serve with potato wedges, topped with scallions, cilantro and a drizzle of hot sesame chile oil or sprinkling of red-pepper flakes, and more tamari sauce. Sprinkle with peanuts if desired.

PAN-FRIED TOFU WITH GREEN TEA AND HONEY DRESSING

Steps:

• To make the dressing, first place tea leaves in a cup and pour boiling spring water over them. Cover and let steep for 1 to 2 minutes. Discard these tea leaves. Combine tea and remaining dressing ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before using. Makes 1/2 cup.
• Place tofu on a flat surface and press out excess water with a paper towel. Cut tofu into 8 equal cubes.
• Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and swirl to coat. Add tea leaves, sesame seeds, and salt, and saute until fragrant.
• Place tofu slices on top and pan-fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Turn tofu and pan-fry the other side until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Drain tofu on paper towels. Cut tofu slices to desired size.
• Toss together salad greens, pears, and tomatoes in a salad bowl. Arrange the tofu slices over the salad, and spoon the dressing on top.

TOFU AND GREEN BEANS WITH CHILE CRISP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees. In a baking dish or casserole, whisk together the chile crisp, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, honey, garlic, ginger, scallions and cilantro.
• Add the tofu slices to the dish, and coat them with the sauce, then allow to marinate for as long as it takes to heat the oven and trim the green beans.
• Add the green beans to a large sheet pan, then drizzle the neutral oil on top and toss to coat. Slide the green beans to the sides of the pan, and arrange the slices of tofu in an even layer in the center of the pan. Pour remaining marinade over the tofu, and place in oven.
• Roast until the green beans start to blister, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve immediately with rice and extra chile crisp on the side.