For vegetarians fried tofu is an out-to-dinner must. It is delicious, relatively health if covered in the right kind of sauce, but most importantly (to me) it is crunchy. I love covering them in home-made buffalo sauce (with earth balance instead of butter) and serving them on top of salads, or on a baguette with my favorite toppings, etc.
It is versatile, and most meat-eaters and veggies alike love it for its protein and lack of calories and carbohydrates.
Frying it at home, however, is not as easy as it seems. Splattering grease? Yes. Soggy and gross? Yep.
So here is how you do it, and here is a delicious sauce to serve with brown rice, sauteed veggies, or anything else you might be craving...
Cut the tofu into 1 inch cubes, or triangles and place on a cookie rack that has been lined with cheese cloth or paper towels. Place the cubes apart and put in the fridge overnight. This is the MOST important part of cooking tofu, DRAINING ALL THE WATER OUT!!
Salt and pepper the tofu, or season with whatever you would like, cumin, coriander, curry powder, etc. and in a large skillet heat about 1/3 inch deep of regular olive oil on medium high. Make sure the oil is SCREAMING hot and slowly place the cubes in the oil, far enough apart that they are NOT touching. (this will cause you to
STEAM the tofu, instead of frying it... ew!)
Let the tofu fry on each side for about 1.5 without touching it at all. This is important because it allows the little crunchy exterior to form without breaking the tofu and causing it to get soggy. After all sides are golden brown, take them out and place them on paper bags to drain all the excess oil.
Simple Stir Fry Sauce
2 cloves garlic, mincied
1/2 small sweet onion, minced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2-3 tablespoons orange juice
crushed red pepper flakes to taste
Sautee the garlic and onion on medium, allowing to soften but not burn. add the soy, o.j. crushed red pepper and any other seasonings you may like (garam masala, curry, etc.)
Let reduce for about 5 minutes and toss tofu cubes in and serve with veggies or rice!
enjoy <3
