Best Caramelized Tofu Recipes

CARAMELIZED TOFU WITH BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Steps:

• 1) Press tofu block between a few paper towels. Put a cutting board on top with something heavy to press out liquid. Let sit for 10 minutes. 2) Chop tofu into strips and marinate in a few tablespoons of soy sauce. 3) Prep all other ingredients. Cook rice, roughly chop brussel sprouts, and chop cilantro, garlic, etc. 4) Add a few Tablespoons of vegetable oil to a hot pan (a wok or nonstick pan works best). Add tofu in a single layer and let cook for a few minutes on high heat until the tofu starts to brown. 5) Turn tofu and brown on the second side. 6) After cooking for a few minutes on each side, add brown sugar and toss to coat tofu in sugar. Cook for a few minutes until tofu caramelizes. 7) Remove tofu and sprinkle with cilantro. 8) Add sprouts to hot pan (don't wash it) and cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. 9) Add garlic and rice and if pan is really try, a bit more oil. Season with salt and pepper and cook until sprouts are tender and some will be browned. 10) Serve tofu over sprouts with toppings of choice.

CARAMELIZED SPICY TOFU

Steps:

• Note: This dish utilizes the subtlety and texture of tofu to serve as a vehicle for the spicy flavors of the sweet dressing. The combination of the 2 works really well.
• Slice the tofu into 4 pieces and place them in a single layer on absorbent paper, lay some more paper on top and gently press down, leave for 20 minutes. This drains off excess water and makes frying easier.
• Heat up a fry pan and drizzle in the oil, add the tofu and fry until golden, gently flip over, and cook on the other side. Take out of the pan and place on a plate. Place a wok over heat and add the water and sugar. Stir until the sugar has dissolved and cook over a moderate heat, without stirring, until the sugar begins to caramelize and goes a golden amber color. Now add the ginger, galangal, chiles, lemongrass, shrimps, and lime leaves and stir it into the caramel. It will firm up a little, but keep it cooking over the heat for 20 seconds, then add the lemon juice and fish sauce and bring to a boil. Spoon the sauce over the tofu and eat while warm.

CARAMELIZED TOFU AND BRUSSEL SPROUTS WITH CILANTRO AND NUTS

Steps:

• Brown tofu and garlic in olive oil until crispy one side. Add butter, brown sugar, nuts, chili, and stir. Separately cut Brussels sprouts in half lengthways and steam in pot or microwave. When tofu is caramelized, drain Brussels sprouts and add to mix. Toss, remove from heat, then add cilantro, salt, and lemon juice. Serve hot.

CARAMELIZED TOFU GOODNESS!

Steps:

• Wrap the tofu with paper towels, place a heavy skillet on top and press for a few minutes to remove some of the excess water.
• Cook the tofu strips in hot 12" nonstick skillet with a pinch of salt and about 1-2 teaspoons of oil. Saute until lightly golden, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, if using, and pecans(or other nuts), and cook for another minute. Stir in sugar. Cook for a few more minutes.
• Remove from the heat and stir in cilantro. Scrape the tofu out onto a plate with a spatula and set aside.
• Now, in the same pan (you don't need to wash it), add 1-1 1/2 teaspoons more oil, another pinch of salt, and turn up the heat to medium-high.
• When the pan is hot stir in the sliced brussels sprouts(they will appear shredded).
• Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring a few times (only a few) until you get some nice golden bits and the rest of the sprouts are just tender.
• Great served with brown rice or over soba noodles.

COCONUT SOUP WITH CARAMELIZED LYCHEES AND MANGO TOFU

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, heat the coconut milk and sugar over medium-low heat until the mixture reaches 120 degrees F. Add the gelee, and stir to incorporate. Remove from the heat and pour into a bowl. Refrigerate until completely chilled. Do not serve until soup is very cold. Ladle soup into bowls and float the Caramelized Lychees and Mango Tofu in the soup.
• Peel and pit the lychees. Fill the hole where the pit was with Orange Marmalade and set aside.
• Make a simple syrup by combining the sugar and water in a heavy small saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat and cook just until all the sugar dissolves. Pour 1/3 of the syrup into a heavy large skillet and add the lychees to the skillet. Cook, over high heat, until the lychees are caramelized. Add the remaining syrup, stir carefully to combine, and remove from the heat. Just before serving, add 2 caramelized lychees to each bowl of soup.
• Combine all ingredients in a large heavy saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat and until all the sugar has dissolved. Reduce the heat and simmer until thickened to the consistency of marmalade.
• In a heavy saucepan, heat about 1/3 of the mango puree until almost simmering. Dissolve the gelatin in the mango puree and stir to incorporate. Set aside.
• Whip the cream in a bowl of a mixer until soft peaks form, slowly adding the sugar in small quantities. Then fold in the mango puree and gelatin mixture. Fold in the remaining mango puree.
• Pour the mixture into a cold sheet pan. Place the pan in the freezer until firm enough to cut. Then cut into 1 1/4 by 1 1/4-inch pieces. Just before serving, float 1 or 2 pieces of Mango Tofu in the soup.

CAMBODIAN MANOR KHO TO HU (CARAMELIZED PINEAPPLE AND TOFU)

Steps:

• Place tofu between paper towels and press with cast iron frying pan or something heavy for about 10 minutes to get rid of excess moisture.
• Cut into bite size pieces(about 1").
• Dredge in cornstarch to coat, shaking off excess. Fry in oil till lightly browned and crispy, about 10 minutes.
• If using canned chunk pineapple, drain juice.
• Put pineapple, garlic, vegetarian oyster sauce and water in a small pot.
• Add sugar, salt, black pepper and green onion. Stir well.
• Cook on medium heat till the water is reduced and vegetables coated. Add tofu and stir to coat.
• Top with cilantro.
• Serve hot with rice.

CARAMELIZED TOFU

Steps:

• Cook the tofu strips in large hot skillet (or pot) with a bit of salt and a splash of oil. Saute until slightly golden, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and pecans, and cook for another minute. Stir in sugar. Cook for another couple of minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cilantro. Scrape the tofu out onto a plate and set aside while you cook the brussels sprouts. In the same pan (no need to wash), add a touch more oil, another pinch of salt, and dial the heat up to medium-high. When the pan is nice and hot stir in the shredded brussels sprouts. Cook for 2 - 3 minutes, stirring a couple times (but not too often) until you get some golden bits, and the rest of the sprouts are bright and delicious. Serves 2 - 3 as a main, 4 as a side