Sesame Tofu Recipes

SESAME TOFU: PAN-FRIED TO PERFECTION IN A CHILI-GARLIC SAUCE

Steps:

• Remove the extra-firm tofu from the packaging and place in a tofu press. Press for 15 mins.
• Once the tofu has drained, remove it from the press. Slice the tofu block in half, then into 1-inch cubes.
• Place the cubes into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the cornstarch onto the tofu and gently toss using your hands or a wooden spoon until all tofu pieces are covered.
• Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Once the sesame oil is heated, add the tofu cubes to the skillet. Fry tofu until golden brown, approximately 2-3 mins on each side.
• Add all of the sauce ingredients into a small mixing bowl: soy sauce, filtered water, honey, chili garlic sauce, rice wine vinegar, and cornstarch.
• Whisk together until well-combined.
• Once the sesame bean curd (tofu) is crispy brown on all sides, add the sesame sauce to the crispy tofu. Cornstarch helps the sauce to begin thickening immediately.
• Toss the sesame tofu stir fry in the pan to coat, then remove from heat. Split into 4 servings, and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
• Serve and enjoy your sesame-crusted tofu!

SESAME SEED BAKED TOFU

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Arrange tofu slices into a square baking dish in a single layer.
• Stir water, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and cornstarch together in a small saucepan; bring to a boil while stirring continually. Pour sesame oil into the boiling mixture while stirring to incorporate fully; remove from heat and pour over the tofu.
• Marinate tofu for 15 minutes.
• Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Cook sesame seeds in skillet until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
• Bake tofu in preheated oven until it looks glazed, about 25 minutes. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion.

CRISPY SESAME TOFU

Steps:

• Place block of tofu flat on cutting board; slice lengthwise into 4 equal pieces, then down the middle to make 8 squares. Place on baking sheet lined with three layers of paper towels; cover with three more layers. Place another baking sheet and a weight on top. Let tofu drain until towels are soaked, 5 minutes.
• Spread the sesame seeds on a plate. Press both sides of each tofu square into sesame seeds. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil over medium heat. Cook tofu, until golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Add the soy sauce; continue cooking, turning tofu, until it has absorbed all the liquid, about 1 minute. Remove from pan. Wipe skillet with a paper towel.
• Add broccoli, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and 1/2 cup water to skillet. Simmer, covered, until broccoli is tender, about 5 minutes. Divide among 4 serving plates; arrange 2 tofu squares on each. Drizzle with remaining tablespoon sesame oil. Serve.

CRISPY SESAME TOFU

Steps:

• Place the tofu slices on a kitchen towel or paper towels. Place another towel on top and lightly press to remove most of the water from the tofu. Transfer to a shallow dish big enough for the tofu to lie in a single layer.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Drizzle half of the marinade over the tofu, then gently flip and drizzle the rest on the other side. Marinate in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to 1 hour.
• Preheat an air fryer to 400°F or preheat a regular oven to 350°F.
• Place the sesame seeds on a small plate. In a small bowl, beat the egg. Remove each tofu slice from the marinade, allowing the excess to drip off, then dip in the egg. Using a fork, dip in the sesame seeds, coating each side. Transfer to a plate. Spray one side with olive oil, then gently flip and spray the other side. (Discard the excess marinade.)
• To make the tofu in an air fryer: Working in batches, arrange a single layer of the tofu in the air fryer basket. Cook for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway, until toasted and crisp.
• To bake the tofu in the oven: Place the tofu on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake 30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Make the sriracha mayo. In a small bowl, mix together the mayo and sriracha.
• Serve the tofu steaks with rice, snap peas, edamame, scallions, sriracha mayo, and tamari, for drizzling.

SESAME TOFU

Steps:

• Wrap tofu with paper towels and place on a cutting board.
• Put a heavy plate on top to press out liquid for approximately 20 minutes.
• Stir sauce ingredients together in a saucepan.
• Simmer sauce while you cook the tofu.
• Dry drained tofu with paper towels and cube.
• Dust very lightly with cornstarch.
• Heat 1" oil in deep frying pan.
• Fry tofu in 350 degree F oil until golden brown.
• Place fried tofu in a large bowl and toss with 2/3 cup sauce, sprinkle liberally with sesame seeds and scallions.
• Toss gently.
• Serve remaining sauce for dipping or drizzled over vegetables.

SESAME BAKED TOFU RECIPE

Steps:

• Slice the pressed tofu horizontally into 16 pieces (each will be about 1/4-inch thick), then slice lengthwise down the middle so that you have about 32 (2-inch) squares. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, sugar, and sesame seeds, stirring until well mixed.
• Pour a small amount of this mixture into a casserole dish or baking dish. Place all of the tofu squares into the dish in a single layer then pour the remaining marinade over the tofu. Place the pan in the refrigerator, and allow tofu to marinate for 4 hours or overnight, flipping the tofu once or twice to make sure that it evenly marinates.
• Heat the oven to 400 F. Lightly oil a cookie sheet or baking pan and, using a spatula, transfer the marinated tofu onto the pan, spacing the pieces so that they do not touch one another.
• Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, flipping once halfway through, or until the tofu reaches the desired texture. (The longer you bake the tofu, the firmer, denser, chewier, and crispier it will become; the less you bake it, the softer it will be.)
• Allow tofu to cool for a minute or two in the pan before serving. Serve hot or cold.

TOFU FRIES WITH SESAME

Steps:

• Drain tofu paper towels for about 45 minutes. Cut block into 1/4-inch-thick slices; cut slices in half. Arrange slices into a single layer over dry paper towels and sprinkle 1 tablespoon flour on top. Flip slices over and sprinkle with remaining flour.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute tofu until light brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Add sesame seeds and toss with mustard, using a rubber spatula to avoid breaking tofu slices. Serve warm.

SESAME CRUSTED TOFU STEAKS WITH TERIYAKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Season tofu: Pat tofu dry with paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Prepare crust coating: Place flour, egg and sesame in separate bowls (medium shallow bowls or tupperware best).
• Sesame crust: Press tofu into flour, shake off excess. Dip in egg, then let excess drip off before coat in sesame seeds, pressing to adhere all over. Repeat with remaining tofu.
• Crispy garlic: Heat oil in a non stick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until golden and crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels.
• Cook tofu: Turn heat up to medium-high. Place tofu in skillet and cook for 1 1/2 minutes until the sesame smells nutty and becomes crisp. Turn carefully and cook the other side for 1 1/2 minutes. Then use tongs to prop the tofu steaks up on its sides to sear the edges until crisp - about 30 seconds each side should do it (see video for my technique).
• Drain: Remove tofu to paper towel lined plate.
• Teriyaki Sauce: Lower heat to medium then add Teriyaki Sauce ingredients. Simmer for 1 minute until it reduces to a syrupy consistency, then remove skillet from stove.
• Serve: Place tofu steak on plate. Spoon over Teriyaki Sauce (it clings to sesame, don't worry, crust stays crispy). Sprinkle with garlic and green onion. Devour, then declare, "I LOVE TOFU!!".