If you’re craving a dish that’s both crispy and full of flavor, look no further than this Crispy Sesame Tofu. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a fun dinner with friends, this recipe offers a delightful contrast of textures with a satisfying crunch and a savory, nutty taste. Pair it with your favorite veggies or a side of rice for a complete and delicious meal that will leave everyone asking for seconds.
Steps
- Tofu Pad Thai: Begin by frying tofu until golden and crispy. Combine with cooked noodles, mushrooms, chiles, peanuts, and bean sprouts. Use vegan fish sauce and mushroom sauce for a vegetarian version.
- Vegan Mapo Tofu: Cook chopped eggplant and mushrooms until they reach a meaty texture. Add broad bean paste and mushroom seasoning for umami flavor, and balance with ginger and sugar.
- Crispy Tofu Steaks with Ginger Vinaigrette: Coat tofu slabs in panko breadcrumbs. Pan-fry until the exterior is crispy and the interior remains creamy.
- Chili con Tofu: Saute tofu with spicy chili seasonings. Substitute tempeh for a heartier dish, adding extra water if needed during cooking.
- Double Drive-Thru Veggie Burgers: Create a tangy-sweet sauce using silken-tofu mayonnaise. Grill veggie patties until charred and serve with the sauce.
- Tofu Bhurji: Crumble medium-firm tofu into a pan, cooking to a scrambled texture. Season with kala namak for an eggy flavor.
- Sheet-Pan Tofu with Broccolini, Mushrooms, and Sweet Potatoes: Marinate tofu and vegetables in citrus-soy sauce. Roast on baking sheets, ensuring ample space for even cooking.
- Caesar Salad with Crispy Tofu Croutons: Pan-fry tofu cubes until crisp. Blend soft tofu with olive oil, lemon juice, and anchovies for a Caesar-inspired dressing.
- Crispy Fried Tofu Sandwich: Freeze and thaw extra-firm tofu, then marinate in pickle juice. Dredge in seasoned flour, fry until crispy, and assemble into sandwiches.
- Tofu Skin Stir-Fry: Rehydrate dried tofu skin, then stir-fry with chile oil and soy sauce. Add vegetables as desired for a complete meal.
- Tahini-Tofu Dip with Chili Crunch: Roast garlic to mellow its flavor, then blend with tahini and tofu. Add tamari and lemon juice for depth and brightness.
- Cold Peanut Noodles with Tofu and Red Peppers: Marinate tofu in soy sauce, then toss with noodles, peppers, and a peanut butter dressing.
- Napa Cabbage Pockets with Tofu: Fill cabbage leaves with a mixture of shiitake mushrooms, chives, and mung beans. Steam or bake until tender.
- Vegan Mushroom and Fried Tofu Sisig: Fry tofu and mushrooms, then combine with onions, chiles, and a tangy-sweet sauce.
- Tofu, Eggplant, and Shiitake Noodle Soup: Simmer tofu, eggplant, and shiitake mushrooms in vegetable broth. Adjust seasonings to taste.
- Crispy Tofu Bibimbap with Mustard Greens and Zucchini: Pan-fry tofu and serve atop rice with pickled and cooked vegetables.
- Miss Kim’s Fried Tofu: Deep-fry tofu and toss in a sweet-salty glaze made with soy sauce, brown sugar, and spices.
- Crispy Salt-and-Pepper Air Fryer Tofu with Asparagus: Marinate tofu, then air-fry until crispy. Serve alongside seasoned asparagus.
- Fried Yuba Tacos with Sweet Corn Relish: Fry yuba sheets and fill tacos with them. Top with corn relish and avocado-spinach cream.
- Spicy Tofu and Zucchini Stew: Simmer tofu and zucchini with spices for a comforting stew inspired by Korean cuisine.
- Crispy Fried Tofu: Fry tofu until crisp, then serve with a homemade plum sauce for dipping.
- Sriracha-Garlic Tofu with Mint: Sauté tofu with sriracha and garlic. Garnish with fresh mint for a balanced dish.
- Chilled Tofu with Apple Soy Sauce: Drizzle chilled tofu with a mix of apple juice and soy sauce. Garnish with radishes and sesame seeds.
- Miso-Tofu Hot Pot with Ramen: Cook tofu and vegetables in a miso broth. Serve with ramen noodles for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- Fresh oyster mushrooms
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Chewy noodles
- Extra-firm tofu
- Long red chiles
- Peanuts
- Bean sprouts
- Vegan fish sauce
- Mushroom sauce
- Eggplant
- Broad bean paste
- Mushroom seasoning
- Szechuan peppercorns
- Fresh ginger
- Sugar
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Tempeh
- Silken tofu
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Anchovy
- Pickle juice
- Spiced flour mixture
- Hot sauce
- Mustard
- Dried tofu skin
- Chile oil
- Soy sauce
- Tamari
- Fresh lemon juice
- Peanut butter
- Sesame oil
- Garlic
- Red bell pepper
- Shiitake mushrooms
- Chinese chives
- Dried mung beans
- King trumpet mushrooms
- Red onion
- Sherry vinegar
- Lime juice
- Vegetable stock
- Napa cabbage
- Sugar
- Pickled vegetables
- Gochugaru
- Scallions
- Sesame seeds
- Asparagus
- Light brown sugar
- Szechuan peppercorns
- Five-spice powder
- Avocado oil
- Turmeric
- Sweet corn
- Spinach
- Avocado
- Zucchini
- Plum sauce
- Sriracha
- Mint
- Apple juice
- Radishes
- Ramen noodles
- Miso
FAQ
- What types of tofu can be used in different recipes?
- Tofu comes in various textures, such as soft, medium-firm, and extra-firm, each suitable for different culinary applications. Soft tofu is ideal for creamy spreads and dressings, medium-firm is perfect for crumbling, and extra-firm tofu excels in frying and maintaining structure in hearty dishes.
- How can I make a vegetarian or vegan Pad Thai using tofu?
- To create a vegetarian Pad Thai, replace traditional fish sauce with a vegan alternative and substitute mushroom sauce for oyster sauce. This way, you can enjoy the dish with golden-fried tofu, mushrooms, and other flavorful ingredients.
- What is a good method to achieve crispy tofu?
- For crispy tofu, coat slabs of tofu in panko breadcrumbs and pan-fry them until the outside is golden and crunchy, while the inside remains creamy. Alternatively, you can freeze and thaw extra-firm tofu to make it more porous, allowing it to absorb marinades better before frying.
- Can tofu be used as a substitute for meat in traditional dishes?
- Yes, tofu can mimic the texture and absorb flavors well, making it an excellent meat substitute. For example, in vegan mapo tofu, finely chopped vegetables like eggplant and mushrooms are used with tofu to replicate the meaty consistency and flavor of the original dish.
- How can you make tofu dishes more flavorful?
- Tofu is a versatile ingredient that absorbs flavors exceptionally well. Marinating tofu in sauces like soy sauce, tamari, or citrus-soy mixtures can infuse it with deep flavors. Additionally, pairing tofu with bold seasonings like Szechuan peppercorns, ginger, or chili oil can enhance its taste profile.
Tips
- Freeze and Thaw for Better Texture: For recipes like the crispy fried tofu sandwich, try freezing and then thawing your extra-firm tofu. This process makes the tofu more porous, allowing it to absorb marinades better and creating a satisfying texture once cooked.
- Space Ingredients for Roasting: When making sheet-pan tofu dishes, spread the tofu and vegetables across two baking sheets. This technique ensures that they roast properly instead of steaming, which results in crispier tofu and perfectly cooked vegetables.
- Use Soft Tofu for Creamy Dressings: Substitute mayonnaise with silken tofu to create a creamy and tangy dressing for veggie burgers or Caesar salads. Blend it with olive oil, lemon juice, and other flavorings for a healthy, egg-free alternative.
- Incorporate Tofu Skins for Texture: Utilize tofu skins, also known as yuba, in your stir-fries or tacos. Their chewy texture mimics shredded meat and can enhance the heartiness of both vegan and vegetarian dishes.
Equipment
- Air Fryer – for making crispy salt-and-pepper air fryer tofu.
- Portable Burner – for preparing a donabe hot pot at the table.
- Donabe (Japanese clay pot) – traditionally used for hot pot dishes.
- Deep Fryer – for frying tofu and yuba in various recipes.
- Mandoline Slicer – useful for thinly slicing vegetables for various dishes.
- Tofu Press – to remove excess moisture from tofu.
- High-Speed Blender – for blending silken tofu into smooth sauces and spreads.
- Wok – for stir-frying dishes like tofu skin stir-fry and various Asian-inspired recipes.
