Soy Mirin Glazed Tofu Fried Rice Food

FRIED RICE WITH CRISPY TOFU

Steps:

• To make the tofu, cut a block of tofu into pieces approximately 1/4 inch thick, then cut those into four pieces each (so you have pieces approximately 1" x .5")
• Arrange the tofu pieces on top of a paper towel (or other clean towel), sprinkle with salt, and put another towel on top. Place something heavy (like a cast iron skillet) on top of it. Allow to sit for approximately 10 minutes so the the moisture is drawn out of the tofu.
• Place tofu in a medium sized bowl with cornstarch, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir/shake gently to coat the pieces of tofu in cornstarch.
• Coat the bottom of a heavy skillet (cast iron recommended) with olive oil. Heat over medium-high heat, and add tofu. Allow to sit for 2-4 minutes, or until golden brown. Flip and allow to brown on other side, and remove to a clean paper towel to drain. You will probably need to do two-three batches.
• To make the fried rice, in the same skillet as the tofu (or a wok), heat olive oil.
• Add garlic and ginger; saute for one minute or until fragrant.
• Crack eggs into skillet and stir to scramble, until just set.
• Add rice to skillet and stir to incorporate.
• Allow to sit undisturbed for a few minutes to brown. Using a thin metal spatula, flip rice over and allow to brown on other side.
• Add carrot, peas, corn, sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and fried tofu.
• Stir to incorporate, and allow to continue heating for a few minutes until all ingredients are warm.
• Top with scallions and basil, as well as sriracha if desired.

RICE BOWL WITH OVEN-BAKED MISO TOFU

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment. Pat each slice of tofu dry with paper towels.
• Whisk together the soy sauce, ginger, garlic, cayenne, honey or agave nectar, lime juice, miso, mirin, and oils. Pour into a dish that can accommodate all of the tofu slices in a single layer (such as a baking dish). Place the tofu slices in the marinade and turn them over. Leave to marinate for 15 minutes, turning once or twice. Transfer to the baking sheet. Add the peppers to the dish with the marinade and toss to coat thoroughly, then place on the baking sheet in a single layer.
• Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast for 15 to 20 minutes, turning the peppers once with tongs, until the edges of the tofu are just beginning to color and the marinade sets on the surface, and the peppers are sizzling and beginning to color on the edges. Remove from the heat.
• If desired, heat the kimchi in a small pan or saucepan. Spoon rice into 4 wide bowls or onto plates. Top with kimchi, tofu, and peppers. If desired, douse the rice with some of the remaining marinade from the tofu, and serve.

TOFU AND BROCCOLI FRIED RICE

Steps:

• In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium. Add 1 tablespoon of the garlic and 1 teaspoon of the ginger, and stir until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add soy sauce, sugar and tofu, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce has been absorbed and tofu is nicely glazed, about 5 minutes. Stir in cilantro. Transfer tofu along with juices to a shallow plate.
• In the same skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium. Add onion and carrot, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 minutes. Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon garlic and 1 teaspoon ginger until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add broccoli, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until broccoli is softened, about 3 minutes. Add rice, jalapeño and peas, and drizzle over 1 tablespoon of the oil. Season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until well combined and rice is golden in spots, about 3 minutes.
• Push rice mixture to one side of the skillet. To the empty side, add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and eggs, and allow them to set a little before stirring. Cook until scrambled, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir egg into rice mixture, then stir in half of the scallions and half of the glazed tofu and any juices on the plate. Season with salt and pepper.
• Divide the fried rice in bowls, and top each with some of the remaining glazed tofu. Garnish with the remaining scallions.

TOFU WITH GARLIC MIRIN SAUCE

Steps:

• Slice tofu into 1/4 inch strips.
• Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, and add cooking oil.
• Fry tofu until light golden, making sure both sides are browned.
• Remove tofu to paper-towel lined plate.
• Stir all sauce ingredients in a small bowl, adding the sesame oil last.
• Pour mixture into skillet, and cook over medium-high heat until thickened.
• Return tofu to skillet, and toss to coat.
• Serve with steamed jasmine rice, or cooked soba noodles if desired.

CRISPY TOFU WITH MAPLE-SOY GLAZE

Steps:

• Drain tofu, then sandwich between several layers of kitchen towels to remove excess liquid. Cut into 9 cubes.
• Whisk soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, and ginger in a small bowl.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. When oil is rippling across the surface, carefully add tofu so it doesn't splash. Cook, undisturbed, until very crisp and dark brown underneath, 3-4 minutes. Carefully turn and repeat on opposite side. Holding tofu back with a spatula or slotted spoon, pour out oil into a small bowl. Return skillet to medium-high heat and add soy sauce mixture. Cook, reducing heat to medium so it doesn't over-reduce or burn and basting tofu occasionally, until glaze is thick enough to coat a spoon, about 4 minutes.
• Divide tofu among plates. Drizzle with glaze, then top with scallions. Serve with rice alongside.