Crispy Fried Sesame Tofu

Prep Time: 50 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Yield: 6 servings

 

Ingredients

 

400 gms. extra-firm tofu into cut into 1” cubes

1 cup all-purpose flour for coating

Vegetable oil for frying

 

Tofu Marinade

2 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce

1 tbsp. rice wine

 

Batter

Half cup all-purpose flour

Half tsp. baking powder

Half tbsp. garlic powder

Half tbsp. onion powder

Salt, sugar, white pepper as per taste

1 cup water

 

1 tbsp Sesame seeds for garnishing

 

Instructions

 

Press your block of tofu for 20-30 minutes. Then cut the pressed tofu into finished chunks to be cut into 1” cubes.

 

In a large bowl, mix the low-sodium soy sauce and rice wine. Then place the tofu cubes in the bowl and marinate with the soy sauce and rice wine marinade for 15-30 minutes. Put everything in a container with a lid so can occasionally shake it a little to distribute the tofu marinade.

 

While the tofu is marinating, combine half a cup of flour, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, sugar, and white pepper in a small mixing bowl. Add water and mix well.

 

In case of thinner coating/thinner batter, add additional water; for a thicker batter, add more flour. Place Half a cup of all-purpose flour in a separate bowl.

 

Fill a large pan with vegetable oil for frying. Heat the oil over medium heat. When it is ready, the oil should start to ripple, put the tofu in the pan and water should splatter out if dropped in the oil. If the water splatters violently, the oil is too hot.

 

Place several pieces of marinated tofu in the bowl with the flour and toss until coated. Dredge each piece of tofu through the batter, making sure it’s evenly coated, then drop it back in the flour to coat the outside of the batter. Use a set of forks to lift the tofu from the batter and another set to lift it from the flour. Add more flour to the flour bowl, as needed.

 

Drop the coated pieces in a single layer in the hot oil and cook, turning as needed. Using tongs or a metal spatula, remove the tofu from the oil when the pieces are golden in color, about 3-6 minutes.

 

Place the finished tofu on paper towels to drain the oil. Repeat with additional pieces of tofu. Add oil followed by tofu in a hot non-stick pan set over medium heat. Allow the tofu to fry on top and bottom until golden and crispy (7-10 minutes per top and bottom, 14-20 mins total). The tofu is ready to be removed when it's golden brown.

 

Note: 7 minutes for crispy or 10 minutes for extra crispy. Remove crispy tofu from the pan and set aside.

 

Into the hot pan, pour in the sauce and let this bubble thicken and reduce. Once thickened, mix in tofu until coated.

 

Optional: garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

 

Serve immediately with your choice of sauce, vegetables, and rice.

 

Enjoy!