Tofu Scampi Recipes

TOFU SCAMPI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Press tofu by placing it on a plate covered with 3 layers of paper towels. Cover the tofu with 3 more layers of paper towels and put a weight on top. (I use a large can from the cupboard.) Press it for 30-60 minutes, changing paper towels if needed. Then pat the tofu dry and slice into 1-inch cubes.
• Place 2 tablespoons of the oil in a shallow dish. Place the cornstarch in a separate dish. Toss tofu in oil, covering all sides, then roll in cornstarch. Put tofu in one layer on a baking sheet.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until crispy with a browned exterior. Be careful not to overcook the tofu or it will be tough.
• Start the spinach about 10 minutes after tofu goes in the oven. Brown spinach lightly (2-3 minutes) in a little bit of olive oil, then cover and cook over low heat, adding 1 tablespoon water, for 3 minutes.
• Saute the mushrooms in 2 tablespoons of oil for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and basil. Cook briefly on medium heat just until the garlic is golden brown. Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice, and cover to keep warm. When tofu has finished cooking, serve it over the braised spinach.

BAKED TOFU WITH PEANUT SAUCE AND COCONUT-LIME RICE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 450 degrees and lightly brush a large rimmed sheet pan with oil.
• In a small bowl, stir 4 tablespoons lime juice with 1/2 teaspoon salt until salt dissolves. Add the sliced peppers, a few cracks of black pepper and set aside.
• In a small pot, combine the rice with 1 cup water and the coconut milk. Season with salt and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over medium-low until the rice is just tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit, covered, until ready to serve.
• In a medium bowl, whisk 4 tablespoons lime juice with the peanut butter, miso, ginger, fish sauce (if using), habanero, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon honey and 3/4 cup water. Stir until smooth and season to taste with salt.
• Arrange the tofu pieces in a single layer on the oiled baking sheet and season with salt. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the peanut sauce over each, covering the top and allowing the sauce to run down and coat the sides. Drizzle the tops with some oil, and roast until glaze is set, deep brown and caramelized along the edges, 18 to 20 minutes. Add the remaining lime juice and 1 tablespoon honey to the leftover peanut sauce in the bowl to make the dressing; set aside.
• Divide the greens among bowls. Add the lime zest and half the sliced scallions to the rice, then fluff with a fork. Top the greens with the rice, then the tofu. Spoon the peanut dressing over everything, and garnish with the drained pickled peppers and remaining sliced scallions.

CRISPY TOFU WITH CASHEWS AND BLISTERED SNAP PEAS

Steps:

• Slice the tofu in half horizontally, and leave on paper towels to dry any excess liquid.
• In a medium skillet or cast-iron pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high until it shimmers. Season both sides of the tofu with salt and black pepper, place in the pan and sear without moving until tofu is browned and golden on both sides, turning once halfway through, about 8 minutes total. Move the tofu to a plate.
• Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pan, and add the snap peas. Cook, stirring occasionally, until blistered and just tender, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and move to a bowl.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, add the ginger and garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the coconut milk, soy sauce and molasses. Simmer, stirring frequently until the sauce reduces and its color deepens to a dark brown, about 6 to 8 minutes. It should coat a spoon without running right off. Stir in the cashews, break the tofu into 1-inch pieces and toss in the pan to coat with sauce. Remove from heat, and taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.
• Toss the snap peas with the rice vinegar, scallions, mint and red-pepper flakes, if using. Divide among plates, along with the tofu and cashews. Serve with rice or any steamed grain.