Tofu is a healthy and nutritious protein that I love to cook with. So many people don’t realize how easy it is to use, or how delicious it can be. I’m here to change all that with this salt and pepper tofu recipe. It’s absolutely one of my favorite tofu appetizers because it is so simple to make. It takes 10 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook. You’ve got a dish that everyone – even those that claim to dislike tofu – will devour.
Ingredients
There’s brown sugar in this salt and pepper tofu which slightly caramelizes in the pan. The caramelization adds so much delicious flavor to this savory and spicy tofu. Cornstarch is another key ingredient to give you that wonderful crispy-crunchy exterior.
Cooking process
You’ll need to use a bit of oil to cover the entire bottom of the pan so you can get the best shallow fried result. I recommend a medium-sized high-walled pan for this, as it will prevent oil splatter. All you need to do is: NOTE: It’s totally OK if the tofu crumbles a bit as you coat it with the ingredients. Alternatively, you can add all the tofu and the seasonings into a large zip lock bag and shake it, which can keep the tofu more intact. When you coat the tofu with cornstarch, it’s OK if the coating is not even. The unevenness actually creates a more interesting texture once you cook the tofu. And since no one likes soggy tofu, you’ll be happy to know that once cooked, this salt and pepper tofu will retain its crispness for a while. Yes, even after it cools down. When does it get soggy? That question I can’t answer, since any time I make this dish, no one can stop snacking on these tasty morsels, so it never sits for very long.
Final thought
One last thing…don’t forget to give this salt and pepper tofu a squeeze of lime before eating it. The bright lime juice is a perfect match for the crunchy and savory bites. It’s the perfect finishing touch that elevates all these flavors, and I know you’re going to love it!
More delicious plant-based recipes
Di San Xian (Stir Fried Eggplant, Potato and Pepper, 地三鲜)Real Deal Sesame NoodlesGeneral Tso’s Tofu (Better Than Takeout)Vegetarian Mapo TofuChinese Sauteed Cabbage with Vinegar Sauce (醋溜卷心菜)
