I was vegetarian for a few years, but I never liked tofu. That is, until I visited my sister in Austin, TX and finally had it served up right. I actually liked it! So I did some research on how to make tofu not taste like, well...fermented bean curd.
DIRECTIONS:1.) Buy tofu of the "firm" or "extra firm" variety.
2.) You can cut it however you like, but we recommend around 3/4 inch. That's thin enough to absorb the flavors of the marinade, and thick enough not to fall apart. Cut the tofu into strips, or cube it.
3.) If you have an extra hour or day, you can press it between two cutting boards. This lets excess water seep out and gives it a meatier texture. If not, you can follow our directions and just sear it before cooking anything else.
4.) When it's pressed (or not) put it in a bowl.
5.) You can really marinade it in whatever you want. We used about 1/4 cup soy sauce and 2 tbsp rice wine or apple cider vinegar for 16 oz. firm tofu. Let it sit for at least an hour.
6.) Heat a well-seasoned wok (or if you don't own one -- which you should, they're amazing! -- use a deep skillet) with plenty of oil, at least 3 tbsp. on medium-high heat. Be careful as you drop the tofu strips in one at a time, so that the each touch the wok surface. Don't splash the oil!!
7.) Let the tofu sit until it starts to sear. (The best way to tell this is by listening. When it gets quieter, flip it and it'll get loud again). Try to sear all sides evenly, bearing in mind that the wok is hottest at its lowest point in the middle.
**NOTE: On whole, this should have taken around 10 minutes. 
8.) Pull the tofu out, and pour the marinade in.
9.) Add whatever vegetables you like to the top of the mix. We used a bell pepper, shredded carrot, half a yellow onion, 8 button mushrooms, and 3 stalks of celery. At this point we also added additional spices -- because Texans like it hot -- including 2 tbsp crushed red pepper, and 2 tbsp
Sriracha sauce, as well as a little granulated garlic.
10.) When the vegetables are 2/3 done, push them aside and add the tofu back in.
11.) Mix the tofu in gently once it has come back to temperature, to minimize breakage. Cook until the vegetables are done.
12.) Serve over rice, and top with any combination of more red pepper, more Sriracha, sesame oil (yes it's a condiment, not a cooking oil) and lightly toasted sesame seeds.
And that's it! Eat and enjoy. 
What is your favorite Asian dish?
Comments (10)
This is making me hungry
I've done something similar, but I'll have to try this one too.
mmmm, looking at this makes me so hungry. need food.
Oh hot dog! Finally something that fits with my vegetarian diet! That sounds like something I could pair a nice Double IPA with.
Mmmmmmmm....
That looks SO good!!
I've cooked tofu before, but I never tried marinating it. I'm trying this in the weekend.
that looks delicious! i love tofu, but i've always been afraid to cook it myself.
omg. that looks really good!
Yummm. Looks awesome!