The Golden Secret to Crispy Tofu

Tofu: A Delicious and Versatile Ingredient

Tofu is not only nutritious, but it is also incredibly versatile and can be prepared in a multitude of ways, with fried tofu being one of the most popular methods.

These golden-brown tofu triangles, with their soft and fragrant interior, are best enjoyed dipped in spicy shrimp sauce or fermented shrimp paste. While the dish may seem simple, it requires skill and attention to detail from the cook. A moment of carelessness can lead to the tofu sticking to the pan, breaking apart, or even burning.

Growing up, my family was not well-off, and my mother could only afford to buy tofu twice a week. She would fry it to a golden perfection and serve it with a spicy shrimp sauce. It was not a luxurious meal, but I found it strangely delicious. The warm tofu, dipped in spicy sauce, paired perfectly with white rice, and I would often eat three bowls to satisfy my hunger.

As I grew older and started cooking on my own, I realized that preparing fried tofu is indeed an art form. Using the same ingredients but with a few simple techniques, one can create a truly delectable dish. Today, I will share with you a super easy and delicious way to fry tofu using an extra ingredient: chicken eggs. The egg coating adds a beautiful golden color and enhances the softness and fragrance of the tofu.

Here are a few key points to keep in mind when preparing this dish:

– Cut the tofu into thick slices for easier handling and flipping.

– Wait until the tofu is golden before flipping it. Premature flipping can cause the tofu to break or crumble.

– Fully submerge the tofu slices in the egg mixture.

Ingredients

– Tofu: 2 blocks

– Chicken eggs: 1

– Scallions

– Garlic

– Ginger

– Bell pepper

– Cooking oil

– Salt

– Light soy sauce

– Dark soy sauce

– Pepper

– Water

Instructions

1. Rinse the tofu blocks and cut them into triangular slices, approximately 1cm thick. Avoid cutting the tofu too thin, as it may break apart easily. You can also cut it into squares or rectangles, depending on your preference.

2. Rinse and finely chop the scallions, garlic, and ginger. Slice the bell pepper. The addition of these ingredients will enhance the flavor and aroma of the dish.

Combine light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, pepper, and water in a bowl, maintaining a ratio of 2:1:1:3. Mix well with a pair of chopsticks until the seasonings are fully dissolved.

3. Crack the egg into a separate bowl and beat it thoroughly.

4. Heat up some cooking oil in a pan. Dip the tofu slices into the egg mixture and then place them gently into the pan. Fry until both sides are golden brown. Note that you should not move the tofu slices around too much at this stage. Wait until the surface is golden before flipping and adjusting the heat to medium to prevent burning.

Repeat this process until all the tofu slices are fried. You can also pour the remaining egg mixture into the pan and fry it along with the tofu.

5. Once the tofu is golden, remove it from the pan, leaving the oil behind. Add the chopped scallions, garlic, and ginger to the pan and sauté until fragrant. Return the fried tofu to the pan and gently toss to combine.

6. Pour the sauce mixture into the pan and continue to toss gently over low heat for about 5 minutes, allowing the tofu to absorb the flavors. Adjust the seasoning to your taste. Once the sauce thickens, add the bell pepper and scallions. Cook for another 3 minutes before turning off the heat.

7. Serve the tofu hot. The dish offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures, from the fragrant and creamy tofu and egg to the spicy sauce and the aroma of scallions. It is a truly irresistible treat.