Spicy Tofu Food

HOT AND SPICY TOFU

Steps:

• Heat peanut oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Toss the tofu into the oil, and cook until browned on all sides. Once browned, toss in onion, bell pepper, chile pepper, and garlic; cook until just tender, about 5 minutes.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the hot water, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, and red pepper flakes. Pour over tofu and vegetables, toss to coat, and simmer 3 to 5 minutes, or until sauce thickens slightly.

SPICY GRILLED TOFU

Steps:

• Place the tofu slices on several layers of paper towels and cover with additional paper towels. Let stand 20 minutes, pressing down occasionally with your hands to squeeze out the water.
• Place the tofu in a single layer in the bottom of a 13x9 glass baking dish.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, maple syrup, tamari, chile paste, garlic, and pepper.
• Pour mixture over the tofu, stirring to coat all the slices.
• Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• When the tofu is marinated and ready to cook: Spray grill rack or pan with nonstick cooking spray. Heat grill or grill pan to medium heat.
• Place tofu slices on the grill. Reserve the marinade.
• Grill tofu 3 or 4 minutes on each side, or until the outside is browned and crisp.
• Return tofu to the baking dish and toss the slices with the reserved marinade.
• Serve immediately.

SPICY TOFU AND GREEN BEAN STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Cook the rice as the label directs. Set aside and keep warm.
• Meanwhile, cut the tofu into 24 pieces and gently press between paper towels to remove the excess liquid; set aside 5 minutes to drain. Put the green beans in a large microwave-safe bowl with 1 tablespoon water. Cover and microwave until bright green and crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly, then drain. Combine the Sriracha, soy sauce, sugar, fish sauce and 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl; stir to combine.
• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu in a single layer and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and slightly crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove to a plate. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in the skillet over high heat. Add the red onion and cook, stirring, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the green beans and cook, stirring once or twice, until lightly charred, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until softened, about 30 seconds. Return the tofu to the skillet along with the Sriracha mixture and cook, stirring, until well coated, about 30 more seconds. Remove from the heat and stir in the torn basil.
• Divide the rice among plates and top with the stir-fry. Top with the peanuts, a few small basil leaves and more Sriracha.

SPICY BRAISED TOFU

Steps:

• Wrap tofu in a clean kitchen towel and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Weigh down with a heavy object (a couple of heavy cans works well) and let sit 10 minutes. Unwrap tofu and slice in half lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 6 sections to create 12 squares.
• Whisk soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, gochugaru, and 3 Tbsp. water in a small bowl to combine; set sauce aside.
• Trim dark green top from scallion and thinly slice; set aside. Thinly slice remaining white and pale green parts of scallion. Heat 1 Tbsp. grapeseed oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high. Carefully add tofu in a single layer and lightly season with salt. Cook, undisturbed, until golden brown, about 5 minutes; turn over and cook until golden brown on other side, about 5 minutes. Transfer tofu to a plate; reserve skillet (no need to wipe out).
• Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. grapeseed oil in reserved skillet over medium. Cook scallion white and pale green parts, garlic, and ginger, stirring, until softened but not browned, about 1 minute.
• Return tofu to skillet. Pour in reserved sauce and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, turning tofu once or twice and occasionally spooning sauce over, until sauce is reduced by about half, about 4 minutes.
• Transfer tofu to a large plate, spoon sauce over, and sprinkle with sesame seeds and reserved scallion top. Serve with rice alongside.

SPICY TOFU STIR FRY

Steps:

• Cube tofu into approximately 1 by 2 inch pieces.
• Set on top of paper towels and press (not too hard, you don't want to mash the tofu) on the top with more paper towels to rid the tofu of excess moisture.
• Mix: chili garlic sauce, minced garlic, 1 T sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, rice wine, ginger, and chicken/veg stock.
• Add tofu into chili sauce mixture. Make sure all pieces are in contact with the liquid. Let soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Put frying pan over med-high heat. Once pan has heated, add 1 T sesame oil.
• Put marinated tofu in pan, brown all sides.
• Remove tofu and set aside.
• Add cornstarch slurry to remaining marinade, mix. (Add a few more tablespoons of soy sauce or rice wine or vinegar if necessary--you want this to be enough to eventually coat the vegetables as a light sauce).
• Put mushrooms and peppers into frying pan. Stir constantly over high heat for 2 minutes.
• Add green onion and napa cabbage. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes.
• Pour leftover marinade over vegetables, stir. Add browned tofu and chopped cilantro. When heated through, remove from heat.
• Serve with rice.