Best Asian Garlic Tofu Recipes

CRISPY TOFU WITH GARLIC SAUCE (WITHOUT DEEP-FRYING)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 C). Line a baking tray with parchment.
• Press the water out of the tofu while heating up the oven. Carefully press the tofu with your hands. Slice the tofu into two even-thickness pieces. Wrap a few layers of cheesecloth (or kitchen paper towel) outside the tofu, and place a small tray with a heavy weight on top. The weight can be a jar of pickles or canned tomatoes.
• When the oven is heated, cut the tofu into 1/2-inch (1-cm) pieces. (*Footnote 2)
• Season both sides with salt. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the tofu turns golden and the surface puffs.
• Now you can use it in stir fries or serve the tofu with sauce.
• Prepare the garlic sauce while baking the tofu. Whisk the soy sauce, sugar, water, and cornstarch in a small bowl until completely dissolved.
• Heat the oil in a small pan over a medium heat until hot. Add the garlic and green onions. Stir for 20 seconds to release the aroma.
• Stir the sauce again to make sure the cornstarch is dissolved. Pour into the pan. Stir constantly for 10 to 20 seconds, until the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Transfer immediately into a small bowl, so the sauce won't overcook in the residual heat.
• When the tofu is baked, drizzle the sauce over the tofu. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, if using.
• Serve immediately as a snack or appetizer.

SPICY GARLIC TOFU STIR FRY

Steps:

• Heat the oil in your wok over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, and cook for about 30 seconds, or until the garlic begins to turn golden at the edges.
• Add the ground pork, and stir-fry until browned, about 1-2 minutes. Increase the heat to high, and add the shallots. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until the shallots begin to turn translucent.
• Stir in the Shaoxing wine, hoisin sauce and spicy bean paste, and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
• Add the chicken stock, white pepper, sugar, and sesame oil. Bring the sauce to a simmer. Mix the cornstarch slurry, and pour into the sauce. Simmer for 30 seconds, until the sauce has thickened.
• Gently stir in the tofu cubes, and allow it to simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring often. Stir in the scallions, and serve.

ASIAN GARLIC TOFU

Steps:

• Remove tofu from packaging. Place about 4 paper towels on a plate. Set tofu on top of plate and cover with more paper towels. Place a cast iron pan or something else that is heavy on top. Let sit 30 minutes.
• In a medium bowl, stir together Hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sugar, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
• Cut tofu into bite-sized pieces. Place in bowl with sauce and toss to coat. Let sit 30 minutes.
• Heat olive oil in a medium cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Once really hot, add tofu. Once nicely seared on the bottom, flip over. Continue to cook until seared on bottom.
• Drizzle with sesame oil and remove from heat.
• Sprinkle with green onions and serve with rice.

ASIAN-STYLE GARLIC TOFU

Steps:

• Remove excess moisture from the tofu by gently pressing it between towels. Then cut it into bite-sized cubes. (I cut mine about 3/4-inch.) Set aside.
• Make the sauce: Mince garlic. Then in a shallow pan (I use an 8"x8" glass baking dish) add the three ingredients for the garlic sauce. Stir to combine.
• Add tofu cubes to the sauce and gently toss until thoroughly coated. (*Optional: if you have time, cover and refrigerate to marinate for at least 30 minutes or a few hours.)
• When ready, cook the tofu: In a large skillet, heat sesame oil over medium heat.
• Once oil is hot, carefully add the marinated tofu (with any remaining sauce). Spread out the cubes in a single layer. Simmer and cook without stirring for 5-7 minutes or until lightly seared on one side. Flip, and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
• Meanwhile, slice green onions and add to the pan during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. (Sometimes I add a little more hoisin or tamari if the pan becomes dry. The sauce should almost completely absorb into the tofu however.)
• Great served warm over brown rice (and garnished with sesame seeds or more green onions if desired).

ASIAN TOFU

Steps:

• Whisk together first 6 ingredients. Cut tofu lengthwise into 3/8-in. thick slices; cut each slice in half diagonally to make triangles. Place tofu and marinade in a large shallow bowl; turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate 3-5 hours, turning occasionally., Preheat broiler. Reserving marinade, place tofu in a 15x10x1-in. pan. Drizzle remaining marinade over tops. Broil 5-6 in. from heat until lightly browned and heated through, about 10 minutes.