Baked Tofu
Tofu often receives unfair criticism for being tasteless, dull, and sometimes unappealingly rubbery. However, this negative perception is unwarranted. Instead of considering it merely as a meat substitute, embrace tofu for what it truly is—an exceptional ingredient with its own distinct qualities that can pleasantly surprise you. Treat it with care, and you'll discover a remarkably versatile protein that excels in both sweet and savory dishes. Known as bean curd, tofu is derived from minimally processed soy milk, cooked, and pressed into a block, essentially resembling a vegan cheese. Its texture varies depending on the amount of draining and pressing it undergoes, ranging from delicate and soft "silken" to remarkably firm. Each type lends itself to different culinary creations. For baked tofu, it's best to use firm or extra firm varieties; anything softer might crumble and not work well in this recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 (14-oz.) block extra-firm tofu, drained
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1" piece ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp. Sriracha
- 3 tbsp. toasted sesame oil, divided
- 2 tsp. rice wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp. packed brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp. cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp. baking powder
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced, for garnish
- Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Carefully pat tofu dry: On a cutting board, sandwich tofu between doubled layers of paper towels and press down slowly to remove moisture without cracking the block. Remove paper towels and cut tofu into 32 equal pieces: halve tofu laterally across, then cut the block into a 4×4 grid.
- Make marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together garlic, ginger, soy sauce, Sriracha, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, vinegar, and sugar until smooth. Set aside half this mixture and reserve for glazing later.
- Preheat oven to 400°. Meanwhile, add tofu to bowl and toss gently to coat in marinade. Let sit 15 minutes, then drain off excess marinade.
- In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and baking powder. Sprinkle over tofu and gently toss to coat evenly. Drizzle over remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil and toss to coat each piece.
- Spread tofu evenly out onto a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, decrease oven temperature to 375°. Flip tofu pieces to allow for even toasting, then return tray to oven and continue to bake until tofu is crispy on the outside and deeply golden, about 15 minutes more.
- Brush with reserved marinade mixture for a glaze finish, then sprinkle with green onions and sesame.
Nutrition
Calories: 277kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 12gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 516mgPotassium: 284mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gCalcium: 313mgIron: 3mg
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