Tofu Tsos For Average Joes Food

TOFU TSO'S FOR AVERAGE JOES

Steps:

• Open box of tofu carefully, and put tofu on cutting board.
• Slice lengthwise into 4 equal portions, and lay flat on a double-thickness of towel(or, I like unused clean cloth diapers--they absorb really well, without lint), place another double-thickness on top, and place a baking sheet on top of all, and weigh down with something heavy, like a book, or baby, or something.
• Let it sit, and if you want to change the towels, even better. Give it about 20 minutes.
• Cut the pieces into 3/4 inch cubes, about the size of dice.
• Beat the eggs and water together.
• Place cornstarch and bullion powder in another bowl, and stir together.
• Heat about 2-3 inches of oil to about 350 degrees.
• Dip pieces of tofu into the egg, then dust heavily with the cornstarch, and carefully place 5-6 pieces in the oil at a time--you don't want to change the temp of the oil too drastically by putting in too many, and you don't want them to stick together by crowding them.
• Fry until brown and crispy, about 2 minutes, depending.
• Drain in a colander.
• Repeat process until done.
• This can be done a couple of hours in advance, but don't seal the container while hot, because they'll get soggy.
• I just cover with a paper towel.
• Now, for the sauce, mix the rice wine, sugar, soy sauce, cornstarch (2tsp)--I usually shake them together in a jar) Feel free to double sauce to taste--it works fine.
• Add a tbsp oil to a skillet, heat, and stir fry the garlic until aromatic, but not burned.
• Toss tofu in the oil, stir around to heat and crisp a little more, then add the sauce mixture into the pan, and stir to coat tofu, and let thicken--about 1 minute.
• Serve hot, over rice, preferably.

TOFU SLOPPY JOES

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add diced onion. Cook until soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add cumin and salt; saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Add tomato paste and break up in the skillet, 1 to 2 minutes. Add tomato sauce, ketchup, water, brown sugar, barbeque seasoning, mustard, hot sauce, and paprika. Bring to a boil; lower heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Set aside.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a separate pan over medium-high heat. When heated, add tofu and zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add vegetarian crumbles and sauce mixture and bring to a low simmer. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
• Assemble Sloppy Joes on toasted buns.