Skillet Seared Tofu Food

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:-).

SEARED TOFU WITH MISO SAUCE

Steps:

• Drain the tofu then slice it crosswise into 6 pieces. Heat a cast iron or non-stick skillet. Add the tofu, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook over medium-high heat until golden. At first it will twitch around as the water in the tofu turns to steam, but then it will settle down. (Note: Tofu has fat in it so it will brown without adding more oil.) Once the first side is browned, turn and cook the second side, around 10 minutes in all. Shake over a tablespoon or two of your sauce of choice (soy, tamari, Worcestershire), season with salt and pepper to taste, and immediately turn off the heat. You can move to Step 2 while the tofu cooks.
• While the tofu is cooking, using a small saucepan, mix the miso with the sugar and lemon juice. Cook over low heat and cook while stirring until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is bubbly, about a minute. Let it cook, then stir in the lemon zest and vinegar. Taste to make sure the mixture has enough lemon (if using Meyer lemon, you might want to add a little more juice).
• Place the tofu on a plate. Spoon the sauce over the finished tofu and garnish with the scallions and sesame seeds.

THAI SEARED TOFU

Steps:

• Combine first 11 ingredients in a large baking dish; stir with a whisk until blended.
• Cut each tofu cake crosswise into 4 slices.
• Place tofu slices in soy sauce mixture, turning to coat slices.
• Cover and marinate in refrigerator at least 2 hours.
• Remove tofu slices from dish, reserving marinade.
• Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray; place over medium high heat.
• Add tofu slices; cook 2 minutes on each side.
• Remove from skillet; set aside, and keep warm.
• Add reserved marinade to skillet; bring to a simmer.
• Spoon noodles onto individual plates; top with tofu slices.
• Drizzle marinade over tofu and noodles.
• Yield: 4 servings.
• Variation:.
• I sometimes like to coat the tofu with cornstarch (after marinating) and fry the tofu until it gets crispy on the outside, then procede with recipe.

SKILLET SEARED TOFU

Steps:

• Slice the tofu crosswise, into 6 or 8 pieces, 1/2-inch thick or slightly less. Blot with paper towels.
• Heat the oil in a cast-iron skillet. When hot, add tofu and fry over medium-high heat until golden. Turn and cook the second side, about 10 minutes in all. Pour over the Worcestershire sauce and continue cooking until it evaporates, leaving tofu nicely glazed and seasoned. Salt and pepper to taste.