Tofu 101 (Includes a bonus Buffalo "Wings" Recipe)

Tofu is one of those dishes that many are afraid to cook. The secret to tofu is pressing it correctly. There are a variety of tofu available. Silken tofu is best for sauces and some deserts. Firm and Extra Firm are better for baking and frying. You can find pressed tofu in some supermarkets, so if you are afraid to press it yourself, buy the pre-pressed and move forward with your recipe.

Pre-pressed on Left and unpressed on Left

 If your tofu is not pressed, you will drain the water, and then cut the tofu in half.

Lay both pieces of tofu on a towel.

Wrap the towel over each piece towards the center. Then place one wrapped piece on top of the other, and wrap the rest of the towel around the tofu square.

Place on top of the tofu a heavy object (e.g. a large cookbook or heavy pan). Allow the tofu to rest for 30 minutes to an hour. At this point you may unwrap your tofu and move forward with your recipe. You may also freeze the tofu for approximately 2 hours, and then re-press it.

If you want to pan fry your tofu, heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil in a pan. Once heated, gently place the tofu in the pan, and press down with a flat spatula to allow the excess moisture to escape. Flip the tofu, and continue to press down. You will continue to flip and press until the tofu is crisp. Remove from the pan, and use in your favorite recipe.

If you want to deep fry your tofu, cut the pressed tofu into desired size, and dredge in batter and/or breading. Fry it as you would any other coated ingredient.

If you want to bake the tofu, follow steps 2 and 3 in the recipe below.

Lastly, once pressed, you can also marinate your tofu in desired sauce, and then proceed with baking or pan frying.

Buffalo Tofu "Wings"

Ingredients:

1 pkg. of tofu pressed and cut into 12 equal squares

½ bag of “ruffle” potato chips (about 2 cups)

1 c. of flour

1 c. of water

Your favorite buffalo hot wing sauce (Sweet Baby Rays is vegan) or make your own (Recipe follows)

Vegan blue cheese dressing (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 385 degrees F

2. Spray a baking sheet with cooking oil. Place cut tofu on sprayed sheet, and re-spray the top of the tofu with cooking oil. Both the top and bottom of the tofu should be lightly coated in cooking oil.

3. Cook tofu for 20 minutes, flip, and cook for an additional 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool for at least 15 minutes.

4. While tofu is cooling, mix the flour, and water in a large bowl. In a food processor, chop the chips until a medium consistency (about the consistency of panko bread crumbs). Place the chips on a large plate.
5. Increase the oven to 400 degrees F

6. Dredge the tofu in the water and flour mixture, and then coat with the chips. Place the coated tofu on the same cooking sheet you used to bake the tofu. Continue this process until all of the tofu is coated. Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees undisturbed.

7. While coated tofu is baking, heat the wing sauce in a pan on the stove. Once the tofu has completed baking, place the cooked tofu in the heated hot sauce. Cover the tofu until each piece is well coated. Place on a plate, and serve with blue cheese if desired.

Buffalo Sauce

Ingredients:
2/3 c. hot sauce (I like Franks)
1/2 c. Earth Balance butter
1 1/2 Tbsp white vinegar
1/8 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper

Directions:

Heat all of the ingredients in a pan until butter has melted. Continue to simmer, stirring often, until the sauce has thickened