Here’s four straightforward methods to help you make tofu for a variety of dishes. From the simple pan-seared to the breaded and pan-fried, all methods achieve a great balance of crisp yet tender texture and savory flavor. Let’s get right into it:
METHOD 1: PAN-FRIED
ingredients
salt, pepper, and cooking oil as specified in the preparation instructions
1 block firm tofu, drained, pressed, and broken into 1 1/2-inch jagged pieces
1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 cup corn starch
add your tofu to a glass storage container. pour 1/4 cup soy sauce over the tofu, cover with a lid, and shake about 10 seconds so that the tofu absorbs the soy sauce. add the cornstarch, cover again with a lid, and shake until all pieces are fully coated. set aside briefly while you place a nonstick pan over medium heat. allow the pan to warm 2-3 minutes. add 3 to 4 tablespoons neutral cooking oil (avocado, grapeseed, etc.) to the pan and allow to warm 15 to 20 seconds. begin placing your tofu pieces in the pan (do not dump in all at once) and space them out evenly. allow the tofu to sear undisturbed for about 3 to 4 minutes. begin shaking the pan to release the tofu (if it doesn’t release from the pan, give it more time). begin tossing the tofu and browning until crispy and golden on all sides, about another 7 to 10 minutes. remove crispy tofu from the pan and set aside on a plate lined with a paper towel.
METHOD 2: PAN-SEARED
ingredients
salt, pepper, and cooking oil as specified in the preparation instructions
1 block (16oz) firm tofu, drained and pressed
preparation
slice your tofu block in half lengthwise so that you create 2 slabs or “steaks”. season both sides of each tofu slab with a few pinches of salt, then set aside for at least 15 to 20 minutes. season each side again with a few pinches salt and some black pepper to taste. pat the seasonings into the tofu. place a nonstick or stainless steel pan over medium heat and allow to warm 2 to 3 minutes. add 2 tbsp cooking oil to the pan and warm 15 seconds. lay down each tofu slab and DO NOT MOVE. sear on the first side undisturbed for 5 to 6 minutes. flip the the other side and sear another 4 to 5 minutes (you can also go longer on each side to achieve desired browning). slice into planks, cute into smaller cubes, or even just add to a sandwich. so many ways to use this simple preparation of tofu.
METHOD 3: GRATED
ingredients
salt, pepper, and cooking oil as specified in the preparation instructions
1 block (16oz) super firm tofu, drained, rinsed, and dried
3 to 4 tablespoons red or green curry paste
preparation
preheat your oven to 450F. line a roasting tray with parchment paper. use a box grater to grate your super firm tofu block onto the parchment in a pile. pour over 1/4 cup avocado oil, then season with 1 tablespoon red curry paste, 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper to taste. mix together with your hands, then spread out on the roasting tray and pop in the oven to roast for 30 minutes. when about 10 minutes are left on the tofu, place a stainless steel pan over medium heat and allow to warm 2-3 minutes. add 1 tbsp cooking oil to the pan and allow to warm 15 seconds. add the remaining 2-3 tablespoons red curry paste and stir into the oil. continue to cook down while stirring for about 2 minutes. now grab the tofu from the oven, lift the tofu using the parchment, and pour the tofu shreds into the pan with the blooming curry paste. use tongs to mix together until all the pieces are incorporated. serve on tacos as shown in the recipe above, or you could use it as a protein in a thai-style dish that calls for red curry paste.
METHOD 4: CRUMBLED
ingredients
salt, pepper, and olive oil as specified in the preparation instructions
1 block extra firm tofu, drained and pressed
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon each garlic and onion powder
preparation
preheat an oven to 425F. crumble your extra firm tofu into small pieces in a large mixing bowl. add 1 teaspoon salt plus the smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder, and 3 tablespoons olive oil. mix together with your hands until well combined. place on a parchment lined tray, spread out evenly, then pop in the oven to roast for 30 minutes. this can be used as a crumbled protein across a variety of different cuisines. basically like a vegan ground meat.
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