Buttermilk Fried Tofu With Smoky Collard Greens Recipes

SHEET-PAN COLLARD GREENS AND CRISPY TOFU WITH NITER KIBBEH

Steps:

• Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 425°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil; spread out panko evenly on baking sheet. Toast, stirring once, until golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer panko to a plate; reserve baking sheet (leave oven on).
• Season tofu with ½ tsp. salt and arrange in a single layer on a work surface lined with a kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels. Fold towel over tofu, set a small rimmed baking sheet or cutting board on top and weigh down with a couple of cans or a heavy pan. Let sit 20 minutes to drain.
• Place garlic, ginger, and large sliced onion on reserved baking sheet. Drizzle with oil and 1 Tbsp. niter kibbeh and toss to coat. Roast, undisturbed, 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, rinse collard greens in a large bowl or sink filled with cold water and gently agitate. Lift from water (don't pour through a colander or you may redistribute sandy water all over greens) and repeat with fresh water. Remove greens from water.
• Remove baking sheet with roasted onion mixture from oven and arrange greens in a single layer over roasted vegetables (no need to pat dry). Return vegetables to oven and roast 10 minutes.
• Whisk tapioca flour, paprika, 1 tsp. coriander, ¼ tsp. cayenne, and 1 tsp. salt in a shallow bowl to combine. Beat egg whites in another shallow bowl until very thick and foamy (just shy of soft peaks). Set plate of toasted panko next to bowls.
• Unwrap tofu and transfer to a cutting board; halve each slab diagonally into triangles to make 12 pieces total. Working one at a time, dredge tofu in tapioca mixture, shaking off any excess, then dip in egg whites and shake off excess. Coat in panko, gently pressing to adhere. Place tofu on a large plate.
• Remove vegetables from oven (greens should be wilted and lightly charred around the edges at this point). Sprinkle with 1½ tsp. salt; stir gently and push vegetables toward center of baking sheet. Fold a short end of foil over to the opposite end of baking sheet and crimp edges together to make a sealed packet.
• Place tofu pieces on unlined side of baking sheet. Bake, turning tofu halfway through, 20 minutes. (Greens and onion should be very tender and tofu should be warmed through and the outside should be crisped.)
• Meanwhile, separate remaining small sliced onion into strips and place in an even layer in a small shallow bowl. Combine vinegar, sugar, a pinch of cayenne, and remaining ½ tsp. coriander, and remaining ½ tsp. salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high until just simmering, about 1 minute. (or heat in a small saucepan on the stovetop over medium-high). Pour over onion, making sure it is submerged. Let sit 20 minutes. Drain onion, reserving brine for drizzling if desired.
• Remove baking sheet from oven and open foil packet. Drizzle 1 Tbsp. niter kibbeh over greens; gently toss to distribute. Divide greens among plates; place 3 tofu pieces on each plate and drizzle with remaining 2 Tbsp. niter kibbeh. Scatter pickled onion over and drizzle with brine if using.

FRIED TOFU SALAD WITH BUTTERMILK DRESSING

Steps:

• Pour 1 1/2 cups buttermilk into a shallow dish. Add the tofu and turn to coat; let marinate at least 10 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 1/4 cup buttermilk, the mayonnaise, chives, vinegar, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl.
• Put the snap peas in a medium microwave-safe bowl with 1 tablespoon water; cover tightly with plastic wrap. Microwave until just tender and bright green, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Discard the plastic wrap and set the peas aside to cool.
• Whisk the flour, herbes de Provence and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the buttermilk marinade to make shaggy clumps. Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Dip the tofu in the flour mixture, turning to coat, dip back in the marinade, then redip in the flour to coat with the clumpy bits; transfer to a plate. Working in batches, fry the tofu, flipping occasionally, until golden brown and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove to a rack and season with salt.
• Divide the iceberg wedges among plates; season with salt and pepper. Top with the fried tofu, tomatoes and sugar snap peas. Drizzle with the buttermilk dressing.