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May. 16th, 2005
I can cook sometimes
May. 16th, 2005 08:27 pmPan-fried "tastes almost like fish!" tofu:
One pound block firm tofu
flour
cornmeal
Old Bay Seasoning (most stores, including Winco, have it now; if it's not in the seasoning section it's near the fish counter)
A neutral-tasting oil that can be used for medium-high pan-frying--I used canola
First you have to drain the tofu a bit. Turn a plate upside down in the sink, and put a few folded paper towels (or a very clean cloth towel) on it, then the tofu, then more towels, then another upside-down plate. Weigh it down with a couple of books or cans (books are less likely to slide off). Let it sit that way for around half an hour. When it's done, slice into squares about a quarter-inch thick.
Fill a frying pan about an eighth of an inch deep with the oil and turn on medium-high. I used a cast-iron pan, myself.
In a bowl, mix half flour and half cornmeal, then add a few spoonfuls of Old Bay. Give it a taste after each spoonful is mixed in so you can tell if it's enough/too much. Pour about half onto a smallish plate, later you'll add more to the plate as you need it.
Rinse the slices of tofu one at a time, let the excess water drip off, cover both sides in the breading, and carefully put it in the oil. How many fit in your pan depends on the pan of course, but don't overcrowd them.
Hot oil is dangerous! Be careful! Every other minute or so, use a butter knife to lift up the edge of one of the pieces. Flip them over (tongs, a fork, or a carefully wielded butter knife work) when one side is crispy and starting to brown. Be dainty, as the breading isn't that firmly stuck on (I suppose you could use egg whites intead of water if you're vegetarian instead of vegan, it might stick better that way).
When they're done, put them on a plate lined with paper towels. Between batches you might need more oil, I poured it down the side of the pan and didn't have a problem.
Put some of this stuff on'em:
Vegan (or not) Tartar Sauce
A few big spoonfuls real or vegan mayonnaise
Smallish spoonful of capers if you have them
Smallish spoonful of chopped olives
Some dried parsley, about a teaspoon
Same amount of pickle relish (I didn't have any, but it was still good)
Chopped green onions might be good too now that I think of it
Mix in a bowl. Spread on pan-fried tofu.
Dood. It turned out so good that even Nana ate it. It's not exactly a health food, but you could certainly eat worse.
One pound block firm tofu
flour
cornmeal
Old Bay Seasoning (most stores, including Winco, have it now; if it's not in the seasoning section it's near the fish counter)
A neutral-tasting oil that can be used for medium-high pan-frying--I used canola
First you have to drain the tofu a bit. Turn a plate upside down in the sink, and put a few folded paper towels (or a very clean cloth towel) on it, then the tofu, then more towels, then another upside-down plate. Weigh it down with a couple of books or cans (books are less likely to slide off). Let it sit that way for around half an hour. When it's done, slice into squares about a quarter-inch thick.
Fill a frying pan about an eighth of an inch deep with the oil and turn on medium-high. I used a cast-iron pan, myself.
In a bowl, mix half flour and half cornmeal, then add a few spoonfuls of Old Bay. Give it a taste after each spoonful is mixed in so you can tell if it's enough/too much. Pour about half onto a smallish plate, later you'll add more to the plate as you need it.
Rinse the slices of tofu one at a time, let the excess water drip off, cover both sides in the breading, and carefully put it in the oil. How many fit in your pan depends on the pan of course, but don't overcrowd them.
Hot oil is dangerous! Be careful! Every other minute or so, use a butter knife to lift up the edge of one of the pieces. Flip them over (tongs, a fork, or a carefully wielded butter knife work) when one side is crispy and starting to brown. Be dainty, as the breading isn't that firmly stuck on (I suppose you could use egg whites intead of water if you're vegetarian instead of vegan, it might stick better that way).
When they're done, put them on a plate lined with paper towels. Between batches you might need more oil, I poured it down the side of the pan and didn't have a problem.
Put some of this stuff on'em:
Vegan (or not) Tartar Sauce
A few big spoonfuls real or vegan mayonnaise
Smallish spoonful of capers if you have them
Smallish spoonful of chopped olives
Some dried parsley, about a teaspoon
Same amount of pickle relish (I didn't have any, but it was still good)
Chopped green onions might be good too now that I think of it
Mix in a bowl. Spread on pan-fried tofu.
Dood. It turned out so good that even Nana ate it. It's not exactly a health food, but you could certainly eat worse.