Crispy Tofu

Ingredients:

• 1 block of firm or extra-firm tofu
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave nectar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Preparation:

   • Drain the tofu: Remove the tofu from its packaging and drain excess water by placing it between paper towels or clean kitchen towels. Place a heavy object, like a plate or a pan, on top of the tofu block to press out any remaining liquid. Let it drain for at least 15-20 minutes.
   • Cut the tofu: Once drained, cut the tofu block into bite-sized cubes or rectangles, depending on your preference.

2. Marinate the Tofu:

   • In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup or agave nectar, sesame oil, garlic powder, ground ginger, black pepper, and salt.
   • Add the tofu cubes to the marinade and gently toss to coat each piece evenly. Allow the tofu to marinate for at least 15-30 minutes. If you have more time, you can let it marinate for up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.

3. Coating:

   • After marinating, remove the tofu from the marinade and reserve the excess marinade for later.
   • Place the cornstarch in a shallow bowl or plate. Roll each tofu piece in the cornstarch until evenly coated, shaking off any excess.

4. Frying:

   • Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. You’ll need enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan and come up about 1/4 inch.
   • Once the oil is hot, carefully add the tofu pieces in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. You may need to fry them in batches depending on the size of your pan.
   • Fry the tofu for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Use a spatula to flip the tofu pieces halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
   • Once crispy and golden, transfer the fried tofu to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.

5. Optional:

   • In the same skillet, pour in the reserved marinade and cook it over medium heat until it thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes. This will create a delicious sauce to drizzle over the crispy tofu.

6. Serving:

   • Serve the crispy tofu hot, either as is or with the optional sauce drizzled on top. It pairs well with rice, noodles, or your favorite stir-fried vegetables. Enjoy!

By following these steps, you’ll achieve perfectly crispy tofu that’s packed with flavor!