Tofu Bites Recipes

CRISPY TOFU BITES

Steps:

• Drain tofu, place on a plate, and stack heavy plates on top of it to drain any extra moisture, at least 15 minutes. Slice into 24 bite-size pieces.
• Combine flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a gallon-size resealable plastic bag. Toss tofu into bag, seal completely, and shake to coat. Transfer tofu pieces to a plate, shaking off any excess flour.
• Pour vegetable oil into a skillet; heat on medium-high until just smoking. Cook tofu, turning often, until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes per side.

BAKED TOFU BITES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly spray a non-stick baking sheet with oil.
• Slice tofu into 1/2-inch slices, and gently press excess water out of tofu. Cut sliced tofu into 1/2-inch cubes.
• In a bowl, stir together the soy sauce, maple syrup, ketchup, vinegar, and hot sauce. Stir in sesame seeds, garlic powder, black pepper, and liquid smoke. Gently stir tofu cubes into sauce. Cover, and marinate at least 5 minutes.
• Place the tofu on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake in a preheated oven for 15 minutes. Turn tofu, and bake until the tofu turns golden brown, about 15 minutes more.

CRISPY TOFU BITES

Steps:

• Drain the tofu on a wire rack for at least one hour.
• Set the tofu on a few layers of paper towels and cut it into 9 cubes. Sprinkle them evenly on all sides with the salt.
• Grate the ginger into a pan and then gather up the pulp and squeeze out as much juice as you can into the pan. Discard the pulp.
• Add the grated garlic, mirin, soy sauce, and black pepper to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil and continue boiling until the sauce just starts to thicken and it no longer smells like alcohol (about a minute after it comes to a full boil). Transfer the sauce to a bowl and set aside.
• To fry the tofu, heat 2-inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot until it reaches 360 degrees F (180 C). Be sure to use a deep pot and don't fill it more than 1/2 way as the the moisture in the tofu will make the oil bubble a lot.
• Pat the tofu dry on all sides with fresh paper towels and carefully lower the tofu into the hot oil using tongs.
• Fry the tofu undisturbed for about 5-6 minutes or until you're able to pull the tofu away from the bottom of the pot without breaking it. Flip the tofu over and let it continue frying for another 5-6 minutes or until it's golden brown on all sides.
• Transfer the hot tofu straight into the bowl with the sauce and sprinkle on the sesame seeds. Toss to coat the tofu with glaze and then transfer the tofu to a serving plate.
• Garnish with more sesame seeds, black pepper, and chopped scallion greens.

TERIYAKI SESAME TOFU BITES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the sesame tofu bites: In a food processor, add the tofu, almonds, pumpkin seeds, ground flaxseed, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger and sundried tomatoes. Pulse until the mixture comes together, but still has some texture, 8 or 9 pulses. Be careful not to over process.
• Roll the mixture into 1-teaspoon balls using clean hands.
• On a small plate, roll each ball in the sesame seeds to coat and then place on a baking sheet.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.
• For the teriyaki sauce: Place the finely grated ginger, sesame oil and garlic in a small saucepan and warm through over a low heat for about 1 minute. Then add the soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar and rice vinegar. When the sugar has dissolved, pour in the cornstarch slurry and continue to stir over low heat for a couple of minutes until thickened and glossy.
• When the tofu balls are cooked, remove them from the oven. Pour the sauce onto a serving platter.
• Arrange the sesame tofu bites on top of the teriyaki sauce.
• Sprinkle over the cilantro and scallions.
• Serve with cocktail sticks on the side.

GOLDEN FRIED TOFU BITES

Steps:

• Rinse the tofu.
• Place tofu on a plate, cover with two large heavy plates and let drain for 30 minutes.
• Dry the tofu and cut into small bite-sized cubes.
• (3/4 inch or less).
• In a large bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch and seasoning salt.
• Carefully dredge the tofu bites in the seasoned flour mixture, making sure they are well-coated.
• Fry, half at a time, in peanut oil at medium-high heat for about five minutes or until golden and crispy.
• Repeat with other half of the tofu.
• Best eaten piping hot as soon as they are cooked.
• May be eaten plain, dipped into liquid honey, or they go very well with red Thai curry.