About As Expected As A Mute Wingman

I'm not a huge fan of canned sauces, but I saw this at Trader Joe's it is made with coconut milk and has coconut flakes, and while I don't usually like curries and much less simmer sauces, I do love coconut! Looking back it really isn't something that I would usually even consider buying, but I'm really glad I did. 

The jar suggests simmering tofu in the sauce, but as I've recently discovered how to fry tofu in a way that is pleasing to me, I warmed up the sauce and poured it over the tofu and jasmine rice. Since it was AMAZING: spicy and warm and just enough coconut to give it a bit if richness, I will post my suggestions for the never-before-seen, the exotic, the only Thai Tofu Toss!

(Actually this will really just be a recipe for Spicy Fried Tofu for People Who Can't Cook Tofu and you can add whatever you want to it.)

The Innies

1 package firm to extra firm tofu (not silken)

1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

about 4 tablespoons Spicy Pepper oil (or any spicy oil)

The Way

Remove the tofu from the package. Gently squeeze the tofu until it is not dripping. Place between several folded pieces of paper towel and place a 4-6 year Harry Potter book on top. Mix the flour, cornstarch, and optional cayenne in a bowl. Set aside. Do other things for 15-30 minutes (like prepare your jasmine rice and clean the living room).

Remove the tofu from the paper towels. Using a medium kitchen knife, 

slice the tofu in 1/2 slices, then cut in half. Coat the tofu, one piece at a time, in the flour mixture. 

Heat the oil on high heat in a small frying pan for about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-high and, using tongs, set several pieces of the tofu into the pan, not allowing them to touch. Allow to cook for 3-5 minutes and turn over. Tofu is done when each side is golden brown and crisp when prodded with tongs. Remove with tongs, drain off excess oil, and set aside while you put in another batch.

You can cook all of the tofu at once in a large frying pan but you will need to use a lot more oil and I'm not much of a wasteful person. So I guess if you don't really care about money or the starving kids in Mesopotamia, go for it.

To reheat any leftover tofu the next day, heat your pan without oil and toast the tofu a bit as it will get really soggy in the microwave.