How To Make Fried Tofu With Chilli Crisp – Recipe | Felicity Cloake's Masterclass

The New York Times erstwhile described earthy tofu arsenic having “the texture and disposition of a peculiarly upbeat sponge” – sauteeing, nan writer decreed, was nan only measurement to render nan worldly “acceptable”. As it happens, I often eat nan creamy, wobbly silken assortment consecutive from nan packet, but I wouldn’t disagree: you don’t person to beryllium vegetarian to bask a hot, crisp nugget of deep-fried beancurd.

Prep 15 min
Cook 15 min
Serves 2

1 A statement connected nan tofu

Firm aliases extra-firm tofu is nan champion prime for frying – silken will beryllium creamy inside, and pressed tofu chewier and much meaty. For nan neatest results, trim into bite-sized nuggets astir 3cm x 2cm. If you worth crunch complete appearance, break it into bite-sized pieces instead; nan rougher edges will crisp up amended than perfectly level surfaces.

2 Soak nan tofu

For maximum crispness, region arsenic overmuch excess moisture from nan tofu arsenic imaginable earlier cooking it. Fill a vessel aliases cookware pinch boiling h2o and play very generously pinch salt, truthful it tastes for illustration nan sea. Drop successful nan tofu, time off to soak for 15 minutes (the basking h2o will tie retired liquid from nan centre of nan tofu; nan salt’s conscionable for seasoning).

3 Dry nan tofu

Meanwhile, statement a baking tray pinch room insubstantial aliases a cleanable beverage towel. Drain nan tofu, put it connected nan tray and apical pinch much insubstantial aliases different towel. Put different baking tray aliases chopping committee connected top, measurement that down pinch a mates of tins, aliases thing other heavy, and time off to beryllium for 15 minutes.

4 To coat, aliases not to coat?

Coating nan tofu is optional, but it will thief pinch crunchiness. Put nan cornflour aliases different starch (eg, plain aliases atom flour, murphy starch, etc) successful a shallow vessel and play generously pinch brackish and pepper, aliases different spices of your choice. Add nan pieces of tofu, flip to overgarment lightly, past shingle disconnected immoderate excess.

5 Fry nan tofu

Meanwhile, capable a heavy cookware by astir a 3rd pinch a neutral lipid and power to 180C (or until bubbles shape astir nan extremity of a woody chopstick). Add nan tofu, successful batches, if request be, operation once, past fry until crisp and golden. Drain connected room paper, play and service pinch a dipping sauce, aliases flip done a stir-fry.

6 And now for immoderate homemade chilli crisp

You whitethorn wish to service your fried tofu (and conscionable astir everything other you eat, for that matter, from eggs to atom to steamed veg) pinch chilli crisp. Though location are galore delicious ready-made versions retired there, making your ain allows you to tweak nan basal look (oil, chilli, crunchy beans aliases nuts) to suit your ain taste.

7 Toast and grind nan spices

Toast nan peppercorns and/or immoderate different full spices (eg, achromatic peppercorns, cumin and/or coriander seeds, prima anise, cinnamon) successful a barren pan, past astir crush. Chilli-wise, I for illustration medium-hot flakes specified arsenic Korean gochugaru, but research pinch different varieties. Toast briefly, past grind, if necessary. Put nan peanuts, achromatic beans and each nan spices successful a ample heatproof bowl.

8 Flavour nan oil

Set a heatproof sieve complete a heatproof bowl. Pour nan lipid into a wide frying pan, adhd nan sliced shallot and put nan cookware connected a mean heat. Fry, stirring, until nan shallot is crisp and golden, past drain into nan sieve and return nan lipid to nan pan. Add nan garlic, navigator until ray golden, past drain again.

9 Mix and jar

Pour nan basking lipid connected to nan herb and seed mixture, past operation successful nan sweetener and MSG, if using; you whitethorn besides wish to adhd salt, depending connected really salty your peanuts and achromatic beans are. Leave to cool completely, past operation successful nan fried shallots and garlic. Decant into a cleanable jar, seal and shop successful nan fridge.