Best Crispy Tofu With Citrus Dipping Sauce Recipes

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CRISPY TOFU WITH SWEET-AND-SOUR SAUCE



Crispy Tofu With Sweet-and-Sour Sauce image

Inspired by McDonald's Chicken McNuggets dipped in sweet-and-sour sauce - a classic combination that debuted nationwide in 1983 - this tofu appetizer gets its inexorable crunch from potato starch. Pan-fried until shatteringly crisp, pressed tofu, cut into cute little rectangles, eats a lot like Chicken McNuggets and cooks up gorgeously every time. But the true joy of a nugget lies in the dipping, and this recipe stars a totally chill, no-cook sweet-and-sour sauce. Apricot preserves provide fruity sweetness as well as body, and rice vinegar, soy sauce and onion powder add savoriness.

Provided by Eric Kim

Categories     snack, finger foods, vegetables, appetizer

Time 45m

Yield 4 appetizer servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (14-ounce) package firm tofu, drained
3 medium zucchini (about 1 pound)
3 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/2 cup apricot preserves
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1/2 cup potato starch
Neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola oil, or light olive oil

Steps:

  • Press the tofu: Wrap the block of tofu in a clean tea towel, and place on a cutting board. Weigh down the tofu with a sheet pan topped with something heavy, such as a large skillet, cans or books, until the tea towel is soaked, about 30 minutes.
  • While the tofu is pressed, prep the zucchini: Halve the zucchini crosswise, then cut each piece lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick planks. Finally, cut each plank lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick "fries." Place the zucchini fries in a large colander set over a medium bowl. Add 1 teaspoon salt, and toss until evenly coated. Set aside to drain.
  • Meanwhile, make the sauce: In a measuring cup, stir together the apricot preserves, rice vinegar, soy sauce, red-pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon onion powder and 2 teaspoons water until smooth. Transfer to a small dish for dipping, and set aside.
  • Slice the pressed tofu in half horizontally, and cut each of those halves into 8 rectangular pieces, creating 16 nuggets total. Directly on the cutting board, season the tofu with 1 teaspoon salt and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, smearing each piece around to catch all the seasonings.
  • In a large bowl, toss to combine the potato starch and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Place the tofu in the starch, and gently toss with your hands until each piece is evenly coated.
  • Fry the tofu: Heat a large skillet over medium-high, and add a thin layer of oil, enough to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the tofu in a single layer, and cook, flipping a couple of times, until lightly golden on both sides, about 10 minutes total. Transfer the cooked tofu to a towel-lined plate to drain, and season it with salt to taste.
  • To serve, transfer the tofu and zucchini to a large platter, and serve alongside the dipping sauce.

CRISPY TOFU WITH BLACK PEPPER SAUCE



Crispy Tofu with Black Pepper Sauce image

What is tofu? It's certainly not boring and tasteless! The crispy vegetarian bean curd is so loaded with flavor in this fried tofu recipe, you'll never shy away from it again. -Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
4 green onions
8 ounces extra-firm tofu, drained
3 tablespoons cornstarch
6 tablespoons canola oil, divided
8 ounces fresh sugar snap peas (about 2 cups), trimmed and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons grated fresh gingerroot

Steps:

  • Mix first four ingredients. Mince white parts of green onions; thinly slice green parts., Cut tofu into 1/2-in. cubes; pat dry with paper towels. Toss tofu with cornstarch. In a large skillet, heat 4 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Add tofu; cook until crisp and golden brown, 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from pan; drain on paper towels., In same pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add peas; stir-fry until crisp-tender, 2-3 minutes. Remove from pan., In same pan, heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. Add pepper; cook 30 seconds. Add garlic, ginger and minced green onions; stir-fry 30-45 seconds. Stir in soy sauce mixture; cook and stir until slightly thickened. Remove from heat; stir in tofu and peas. Sprinkle with sliced green onions.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 316 calories, Fat 24g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 583mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 7g protein.

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