Panfried Tofu With Oriental Garlic Sauce Food

PANFRIED TOFU WITH ORIENTAL GARLIC SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut the tofu crosswise into 4 slices and let the slices drain between a double thickness of paper towels for 20 minutes.
• While the tofu is draining, in a small bowl dissolve the cornstarch in 1/4 cup of the water and stir in the remaining 3/4 cup water, the soy sauce to taste, the vinegar, the Scotch, the sugar, and the salt. In a heavy saucepan heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil over moderately high heat until it is hot but not smoking and in it stir-fry the garlic until it is pale golden, being careful not to let it burn. Add the gingerroot and stir-fry the mixture for 30 seconds. Stir the soy sauce mixture, add it to the garlic mixture, stirring, and bring the sauce to a boil, stirring. Simmer the sauce for 2 minutes, stir in the sesame oil, and keep the sauce warm.
• In a non-stick skillet heat the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over high heat until it is hot but not smoking and in it brown the tofu on all sides, turning it with tongs and transferring it as it is browned to paper towels to drain. Divide the tofu between 2 plates and spoon the sauce over it. Sprinkle the scallion over each serving and serve the tofu with the rice.

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.

PANFRIED TOFU WITH CHINESE BLACK BEAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Rinse the tofu, then cut crosswise into 6 slices. Put slices between several layers of paper towels and let drain while making the sauce. (You'll likely have to replace the paper towels at least once.)
• Prep the seasonings for the sauce: Peel the garlic cloves and the ginger, then quarter the ginger. Turn on your food processor and drop the garlic and ginger through the feed tube; they'll be minced in no time. Stop the machine and the black beans in a small sieve until the water runs clear. Add them to the food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped.
• For the liquid portion of the sauce, stir together the water, soy sauce, Sherry, maple syrup, vinegar, and the cornstarch until the cornstarch is evenly suspended. Now you're ready to cook the sauce!
• Generously film the bottom of a heavy 2-quart saucepan with the vegetable oil and heat over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Stir-fry the seasonings until fragrant, less than a minute. Stir the cornstarch mixture and add it to the pan. Whisk the sauce occasionally while bringing it to a boil and simmer 1 minute. Then set the sauce aside while you fry the tofu.
• Generously film the bottom of a 12-inch nonstick skillet with vegetable oil and heat over high heat until hot but not smoking. Blot up any excess moisture on the tofu with a paper towel before laying in the skillet. Fry the slices on all sides (forgo the short ends), turning them only when the undersides are golden and crisp, 5 to 8 minutes total. (You may need to lower the heat as the frying progresses.) Give the tofu one last flip on a paper towel to sop up any stray oil and reheat the sauce.
• Serve with rice and broccoli, pouring sauce over all.