Thai Seared Tofu Recipes

THAI VEGETABLE STIR-FRY WITH TOFU

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a small mixing bowl, stir together the hoisin sauce and brown sugar until sugar dissolves.
• Slice tofu into 1- to 1 1/2-inch cubes or rectangles and add to the marinade, gently turning to saturate. Set in the refrigerator.
• Combine stir-fry sauce ingredients in a cup and set aside.
• Distribute flour over a large dinner plate. Remove tofu from refrigerator and gently turn each piece in the flour. Let tofu remain sitting in the flour.
• Heat a small to medium frying pan over high heat. Add 5 tablespoons vegetable oil. When oil is hot, add the floured tofu cubes. Fry 1 minute, then turn tofu and fry 1 more minute or until medium-browned on both sides. Remove tofu from oil and set on paper towel to drain. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue frying until all tofu is cooked. Reserve fried tofu on a sheet pan in a warm oven.
• Heat a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil plus onion and garlic, and stir-fry 1 minute. Add carrot and celery plus 2 tablespoons of stir-fry sauce. Stir-fry for 2 minutes.
• Add broccoli and mushrooms. Stir-fry 2 minutes, adding more of the stir-fry sauce as you go.
• Add bok choy, red pepper, and remaining stir-fry sauce, frying everything together until vegetables are cooked but still retain some crispness (2 to 3 minutes). Remove from heat and taste-test. If too salty or sweet for your taste, add a little lime or lemon juice. Add more soy sauce if not salty or flavorful enough. Some fresh-cut chili or chili flakes can be added for more spice.
• To serve, transfer vegetables onto a serving plate or individual plates or bowls. Tip the pan to drizzle remaining sauce over, then top with the warm tofu. Serve with Thai jasmine rice .

THAI SEARED TOFU

Steps:

• Combine first 11 ingredients in a large baking dish; stir with a whisk until blended.
• Cut each tofu cake crosswise into 4 slices.
• Place tofu slices in soy sauce mixture, turning to coat slices.
• Cover and marinate in refrigerator at least 2 hours.
• Remove tofu slices from dish, reserving marinade.
• Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray; place over medium high heat.
• Add tofu slices; cook 2 minutes on each side.
• Remove from skillet; set aside, and keep warm.
• Add reserved marinade to skillet; bring to a simmer.
• Spoon noodles onto individual plates; top with tofu slices.
• Drizzle marinade over tofu and noodles.
• Yield: 4 servings.
• Variation:.
• I sometimes like to coat the tofu with cornstarch (after marinating) and fry the tofu until it gets crispy on the outside, then procede with recipe.

THE BEST PAN-FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• Take your block of tofu and wrap it in several layers of paper towels.
• Gently press the tofu with your hands or against the counter top to release the liquid. This will take about a minute.
• Slice the tofu into pieces about 1/2 an inch thick.
• Set tofu aside.
• If you are using a non-stick pan heat it slightly on medium-high heat (about 30 seconds) before adding oil.
• If you are using a cast iron pan, please heat for about 1 minute to 1 1/2 minutes on medium-high heat. Cast iron is very thick and you want the pan to be heated evenly before adding the tofu.
• Add oil to heated pan.
• Gently spread oil over the entire surface of the pan.
• Set the tofu pieces in the pan, leaving ample room between them. They should sizzle when placed in the oil. Sprinkle the tops with salt and a little cayenne pepper.
• Now, the MOST IMPORTANT step is -- LEAVE THEM ALONE for about 6 or 7 minutes. Just gently shake them to make sure they don't stick to the pan. Do NOT turn them or agitate them in any other way. When you see a golden crust beginning to creep its way up the sides of the slices, turn them and spice the other side. Add more oil if the pan seems too dry.
• The second side will only take about 4 minutes to cook.
• When they are evenly browned take them out of the pan and place them on paper towels to drain.
• These are very simply seasoned and basic and can now be used any way you like. I like these with steamed broccoli and peanut sauce -- or in a sandwich with grilled peppers and mushrooms and aioli -- or just eaten with ketchup:-).

AMAZING SIMPLE THAI TOFU

Steps:

• Heat olive oil and sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium, and cook green onions for one minute. Add tofu, and continue cooking 4 minutes more, sprinkling with soy sauce halfway through. Gently stir in the peanut butter and ginger, being careful not to break the tofu, until well incorporated.
• Remove from heat, and toss in coconut. Transfer to a serving dish, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

SEARED TOFU WITH WITH GREEN BEANS AND ASIAN COCONUT SAUCE

Steps:

• Halve tofu lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices and pat dry well. Put 1 tablespoon soy sauce in a wide shallow dish, then add tofu, turning to coat, and let stand 10 minutes. Pat tofu dry.
• Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking, then add tofu in 1 layer and cook, turning over once, until tofu is browned, about 6 minutes total. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a large plate, reserving oil in skillet.
• Add garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes to skillet and sauté, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add beans, bell pepper, and salt and sauté, stirring, 1 minute.
• Stir in coconut milk and remaining tablespoon soy sauce and bring to a boil, then boil, uncovered, until beans are tender, about 6 minutes. Transfer vegetables using a slotted spoon to plate with tofu.
• Simmer sauce until thickened slightly and reduced to about 3/4 cup, about 2 minutes. Stir in lime juice and pour sauce over vegetables and tofu. Sprinkle with cashews.

SAVORY THAI NOODLES WITH SEARED BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Steps:

• Make the sauce: In a blender or bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix until smooth. It should be thick but pourable like barbecue sauce; add water as needed to thin it out.
• Cook noodles for stir-frying according to the package directions; they should be slightly underdone. After draining, rinse well with cold water to stop the cooking. Toss noodles in 1 teaspoon coconut oil to prevent sticking.
• Cut scallions: Thinly slice the white parts, and cut the pale and dark green parts into 1-inch lengths.
• Heat a wok or large nonstick skillet over high. Add 2 tablespoons coconut oil and sprinkle in salt. Add brussels sprouts and sear, tossing occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• In the same pan over high heat, heat remaining 1 tablespoon coconut oil. Add scallions and cook, stirring often, just until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add garlic, stir, then pour in about half the sauce and stir until bubbling.
• Add noodles and cook, tossing in the sauce until cooked through, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining sauce, cooked brussels sprouts, cilantro and bean sprouts, if using; toss to coat and heat through.
• Divide among plates. Garnish with peanuts, chile and lime wedges (if using) and serve immediately.