Difference between revisions of "Crispy Tofu a la Erowid"
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The intended goal is medium-thin slices of tofu with a strong flavor from a marinade, crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, with the thinner pieces quite crispy. Although it is not intended to taste like meat at all, it is vaguely reminiscent of crispy bacon in general texture and flavor. It is a yummy snack by itself but also goes well on stir fry or on plain rice. | The intended goal is medium-thin slices of tofu with a strong flavor from a marinade, crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, with the thinner pieces quite crispy. Although it is not intended to taste like meat at all, it is vaguely reminiscent of crispy bacon in general texture and flavor. It is a yummy snack by itself but also goes well on stir fry or on plain rice. | ||
| − | + | 1. Take firm tofu and dry it further. This could include setting it on a board at an angle or patting with paper towels. The traditional method is to let it sit for a while with a weight on it. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | 2. While the tofu is drying, make the marinade. Key ingredients include rice vinegar, soy sauce (too much will overpower the marinade, but there's a lot of wiggle room here), and some oil. Fresh or powdered ginger, black pepper, basil, garlic, hot pepper or chili powder all also work. The goal is a "strongly flavored, salty, salad-dressing thing with an asiany tang". | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | 3. Slice the tofu medium thin, about 1/4 inch. Varying slice thickness makes it so you get variable crispiness, some will be more crisp, some will be more chewy or fluffy. Too much variation will make it so some is over-done, some under-done. I wouldn't vary more than .5 to 2 of the 'normal' thickness. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | 4. Marinate the tofu for "a while", while pre-heating the oven to 425. | |
| + | |||
| + | 5. Lay out the tofu on a well oiled cookie sheet - there should be some frying going on during the baking. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 6. Bake for about 45 minutes, flipping the tofu pieces once midway through. At that point, drizzle additional marinade on the tofu. Check once or twice closer to the end to make sure you're not burning them. Ovens vary in temperature a lot. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The tofu will continue to crisp/harden a little after it comes out of the oven, so don't wait until the tofu is completely crisp. | ||
Revision as of 05:20, 17 January 2009
Crispy Tofu Recipe
The intended goal is medium-thin slices of tofu with a strong flavor from a marinade, crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, with the thinner pieces quite crispy. Although it is not intended to taste like meat at all, it is vaguely reminiscent of crispy bacon in general texture and flavor. It is a yummy snack by itself but also goes well on stir fry or on plain rice.
1. Take firm tofu and dry it further. This could include setting it on a board at an angle or patting with paper towels. The traditional method is to let it sit for a while with a weight on it.
2. While the tofu is drying, make the marinade. Key ingredients include rice vinegar, soy sauce (too much will overpower the marinade, but there's a lot of wiggle room here), and some oil. Fresh or powdered ginger, black pepper, basil, garlic, hot pepper or chili powder all also work. The goal is a "strongly flavored, salty, salad-dressing thing with an asiany tang".
3. Slice the tofu medium thin, about 1/4 inch. Varying slice thickness makes it so you get variable crispiness, some will be more crisp, some will be more chewy or fluffy. Too much variation will make it so some is over-done, some under-done. I wouldn't vary more than .5 to 2 of the 'normal' thickness.
4. Marinate the tofu for "a while", while pre-heating the oven to 425.
5. Lay out the tofu on a well oiled cookie sheet - there should be some frying going on during the baking.
6. Bake for about 45 minutes, flipping the tofu pieces once midway through. At that point, drizzle additional marinade on the tofu. Check once or twice closer to the end to make sure you're not burning them. Ovens vary in temperature a lot.
The tofu will continue to crisp/harden a little after it comes out of the oven, so don't wait until the tofu is completely crisp.
Variant : Grilled Tofu a la Erowid
* Slice the tofu thicker, since the heat is generally higher. * More oil in the marinade than for the oven version * put some marinade on after grilling the first side, before flipping. * if overcooked or to taste, toss with a little marinade after it comes off the grill