Golden brown and crispy: tofu with peanut sauce
Anyone who enjoys eating at Asian restaurants is sure to be familiar with this classic appetizer: crispy tofu with peanut sauce. The combination of a crispy exterior and a soft interior makes this dish incredibly popular. But this specialty is also very easy to prepare at home. You can find the recipe here.
- 400 g fester Tofu
- salt and pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 3 EL Mehl
- 50 ml unsweetened plant milk
- 200g panko breadcrumbs 🛒
- 2 tablespoons black and white sesame seeds
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1 clove of garlic
- 200 ml coconut milk
- 100g creamy peanut butter
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- Pat the tofu dry with a kitchen towel and cut it into even strips. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Prepare three bowls. Fill one with flour, one with plant-based milk, and one with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and sesame seeds. Coat the tofu strips first in flour, then in the milk, and finally in the panko-sesame mixture.
- Heat oil in a pan and fry the breaded tofu strips until golden brown and crispy on all sides. Then drain them on kitchen paper.
- Finely chop the garlic clove. For the sauce, heat the coconut milk in a small saucepan. Add the peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, maple syrup, and garlic, and stir until smooth. Then let the sauce simmer over low heat for a few minutes until it has thickened slightly.
- Place the crispy breaded tofu on a plate and serve it warm with the peanut sauce.
Recipe for crispy tofu with peanut sauce
For the perfect crust, it's best to set up a small breading station. Put some wheat flour in the first shallow bowl. Fill the second bowl with your choice of plant-based milk alternative. In the third bowl, mix coarse Japanese breadcrumbs with light sesame seeds and a little garlic powder. Carefully coat the tofu pieces in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip them in the liquid until they are completely coated. Finally, press the panko-sesame mixture firmly onto the tofu all over.
Heat enough vegetable oil in a large frying pan. Don't skimp on the oil, as the breading won't absorb as much if the pieces are almost swimming in it. Once the oil has reached the right temperature, add the breaded tofu. Fry the strips over medium-high heat until golden brown on all sides. Turn them carefully with tongs to keep the crust intact. Remove the cooked pieces from the pan and let them drain on a clean piece of kitchen paper. This will keep the outer layer wonderfully crispy.
While the tofu is frying, or shortly after, prepare the perfect dip. This creamy accompaniment beautifully balances the roasted flavors. Combine coconut milk and peanut butter in a small saucepan and gently heat the mixture. A finely chopped garlic clove adds a touch of spice. For added depth of flavor, stir in soy sauce, a drizzle of maple syrup, and freshly squeezed lime juice. Simmer the sauce gently, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a creamy consistency. Serve the warm sauce directly with the freshly fried tofu.
Craving even more tofu? Try these tofu satay skewers with creamy peanut sauce or this tofu and broccoli stir-fry.
