Southern Fried Tofu Recipes

SOUTHERN FRIED TOFU WITH SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Toss the sweet potatoes with the vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper on a baking sheet. Bake, flipping halfway through, until lightly browned and tender, about 30 minutes.
• Whisk the buttermilk and hot sauce in a shallow dish. Add the tofu, turning to coat; marinate 10 minutes. Whisk the ketchup, brown sugar and vinegar in a bowl; set aside. Whisk the flour, the remaining 1 tablespoon paprika and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl; stir in 1 tablespoon of the marinade to make clumps.
• Heat 2 inches 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 re-dip in the flour to coat with the clumpy bits; transfer to a plate. Fry the tofu in two batches, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crisp, 3 minutes. Transfer to a rack; season with salt. Serve with the sweet potatoes, coleslaw and ketchup sauce.

SOUTHERN FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• Cut the tofu horizontally into three equal slabs. Wrap each slab in a clean tea towel or paper towel and press the toful for 45 minutes. If time does not permit, wrap tofu and press gently to extract as much moisture as possible.
• For seasoning mix; place the nutritional yeast, salt, herbs, and spices in a wide, shallow mixing bowl. Stir well to combine.
• Stir the milk and lemon juice together in a small mixing bowl. Place the flour in mixing bowl.
• Cut each slab of tofu into 4 triangles, making a total of 12 in all. Working with one piece at a time, dredge the tofu in the flour. Shake off any excess. Now submerge the tofu in the "soured" milk. Coat the tofu in the seasoning mix.
• Coat a large skillet with vegetable oil and heat over medium high heat. When oil is hot, add the tofu pieces in a single layer. Cook until bottoms are well browned, then turn pieces over and cook until browned. Add more oil between batches and adjust the heat as necessary.
• As soon as tofu is removed from the skillet, place it on a plate lined with paper towels and blot off excess oil. Serve and enjoy!

CRISPY FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• Wrap tofu in a clean towel and place onto a plate. Set another plate on top, and place a 3- to 5-pound weight on top. Press tofu for about 20 minutes; drain and discard the accumulated liquid.
• Cut tofu into 1-inch by 2-inch chunks. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt onto one slide; flip over and sprinkle remaining 1/4 teaspoon on the other.
• Heat oil in a wok or large skillet. To test if the oil is ready, dip a chopstick or wooden spoon in it; if bubbles rise, it is ready. If the oil smokes, it is too hot.
• Gently place 5 to 8 pieces of tofu at a time in hot oil using metal tongs. Be very careful as oil may splatter; use a splatter guard if possible. Fry tofu until golden, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Drain tofu on a plate lined with several paper towels. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• Lightly grease a non-stick pan with oil.
• Put tamari (soy sauce) in a bowl.
• In another bowl mix yeast and spices.
• Slice tofu into 1/4-inch slices.
• Dip tofu in the tamari and then in the yeast mixture.
• Fry until golden; flip and brown the other side.
• Add a bit of oil if necessary.

SUPERIORITY BURGER'S CRISPY FRIED TOFU SANDWICH

Steps:

• Prepare the marinated tofu: Line a baking sheet with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Cut the tofu crosswise into two rectangles that are each about 2 1/2 inches wide and 4 inches long. Slice each rectangle into three 1/2-inch thick slabs and arrange in a single layer on the baking sheet. Cover the sliced tofu with more towels and gently press each piece to extract some of the moisture.
• In a large bowl, combine the pickle juice, hot sauce, mustard and gochugaru.
• Heat the grapeseed oil in a large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over high heat until shimmering. Sear the tofu to form a golden-brown crust, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Immediately drop the hot tofu into the pickle juice mixture. Refrigerate and let the tofu marinate for at least a few hours, or even overnight.
• Prepare the fried tofu: In a medium shallow bowl, stir the mustard with 1/4 cup water until it's the consistency of heavy cream and set aside. In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, spices, salt and pepper.
• In a Dutch oven or sturdy pot, heat 2 inches of grapeseed oil over medium heat and set a wire rack on top of a baking sheet. Remove the tofu from the brine and pat dry. Dip the tofu in the mustard mixture, turning until coated all over, then the flour mixture; dip it again in the mustard then flour until twice coated. When the oil temperature reaches 350 degrees, carefully place the battered tofu into the hot oil and fry, flipping as needed, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer the fried tofu to the wire rack and sprinkle with a little salt.
• To serve, toast the buns and spread generously with mayo and dot with hot sauce, if desired. Top with fried tofu, cabbage and dill pickles, and eat immediately.