Pan-Fried Tofu with Spicy Peanut Sauce

WaterMelon's Note:

A tasty snack or appetizer. Tofu cubes are very crispy outside, yet warm and soft inside. Sort of like Asian "french fries". And i simple love the sauce, even used it as salad dressing sometimes!

• Total Time: 20 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 2

• 200 g firm tofu
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• salt and pepper , to taste
• oil , for frying

Sauce

• 1 tablespoon peanut butter (i used crunchy)
• 3 tablespoons skim milk or 3 tablespoons soymilk or 3 tablespoons coconut milk (will do)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce or 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon chili sauce or 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 dash chili flakes
• salt and pepper , to taste

Directions:

1. Drain tofu (i pressed gently between paper towels).
2. Cut into bite-sized cubes.
3. Toss with cornstarch, coating the cubes.
4. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper.
5. Heat some oil (about 3-4 tablespoon, just ensure pan is coated).
6. Fry the tofu cubes in batches, making sure all sides are lightly browned.
7. Drain on paper towels, then sprinkle with salt and pepper if desired.
8. Sauce: Heat the milk in small saucepan (you can make sauce in microwave too).
9. Add peanut butter, stirring well.
10. Add other seasonings, according to personal taste (I love spicy food, so i added LOTS of chilli flakes!). If you use coconut milk, add 1/2 - 1 tsp of lime juice too - it will be great!
11. Serve hot, as a snack or appetizer. Sometimes i serve them with a sweet Chinese dessert: Green Bean Soup.

Reviews

[Pinot Grigio]

This is by far my favorite way to eat tofu - it's SUPER EASY to make, SUPER YUMMY - and seriously addicting!!! The tofu turns out so light & crispy. Even my husband who doesn't really like tofu loves this and we always fight over the last piece. I always use x-tra firm tofu and drain it for 30 mins before frying by placing it b/w 2 plates weighted by a cast-iron pan. Then I fry it in a little peanut oil. It always turns out perfect. We have made the peanut sauce in every combination possible and we love it best with chunky peanut butter, fresh minced garlic, soy sauce, coconut milk, 1/2 tbsp. chili sauce, and the juice from 1/2 a lime which makes is more Thai-like. We love spicy food, but found we didn't need the chili flakes - it was spicy enough with the chili sauce. This is a favorite appetizer/light meal in our house that we feel good about eating!!! Thanks WaterMelon!

[College Chef IN]

I made the peanut sauce to pour over chicken. It was alright but I honestly did not enjoy it very much. The flavor was a bit off and did not taste quite right...

[mMadness97]

This dish is great! I added a little too many red pepper flakes but I'm trying again this weekend for friends. Great little appetizer.