Tofu Satay Recipes

TOFU SATAY WITH PEANUT SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix coconut milk, kecap manis, curry paste, turmeric powder, ginger, and vegan fish sauce together in a gallon-sized resealable bag. Seal and shake to mix.
• Cut tofu into 2-inch pieces and place in the bag. Seal and shake to coat. Allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes. Soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes.
• Combine peanut butter, coconut milk, chili-garlic sauce, kecap manis, lime juice, and ginger in a bowl. Whisk until sauce is smooth. Set aside.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove the tofu pieces and tap to remove any excess marinade. Skewer an equal number of tofu pieces onto each skewer.
• Grill the skewers on each side until browned, basting the skewers with the marinade as they cook, 10 to 15 minutes total.
• Drizzle the peanut sauce over the skewers and serve with extra sauce and lime wedges on the side.

GRILLED OR ROASTED TOFU SATAY

Steps:

• Combine the marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Add the dry tofu and red pepper and toss gently with a rubber spatula to coat evenly. Let marinate 30 minutes or up to 8 hours. Refrigerate if longer than 1 hour.
• Prepare the grill or preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
• To make the sauce, place all the sauce ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. Pour into a decorative serving bowl.
• Remove about 1/3 cup of the sauce and drizzle it over the tofu. Use the rubber spatula to toss the tofu gently with the sauce. If you are grilling the satay, thread the tofu and red peppers on skewers. (Bamboo skewers must be soaked for 30 minutes.) If you are roasting the tofu in the oven, place it in 1 layer in a large, shallow baking dish such as a 9 x 13-inch lasagna pan. Use 2 pans if one pan isn't large enough.
• Cook the tofu on the hot grill at least 20 minutes, turning it occasionally, or roast in the oven for 25 minutes. The tofu is done when it is a deep golden brown. Let the tofu cool to room temperature before serving. Serve alongside a bowl of sauce for dipping.
• Tip: Canned coconut milk sometimes separates so that there is a thick, pasty mass at the top of the can and thin liquid on the bottom. Also, if the can has been kept in a cool cupboard, the milk will appear solid rather than liquid. In either case, stir the coconut milk before measuring it. Once heated, the coconut milk will thin out.

TOFU-VEGETABLE SATAY WITH PEANUT SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare the satay: Place the tofu in a folded dish towel and gently press to remove excess liquid. Cut tofu into 1-inch cubes.
• Cut the thicker white and light green stalks of the scallions into 1-inch pieces. Thinly slice the thinner, dark green scallion stalks on the diagonal and reserve for the garnish.
• Make the peanut sauce: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add shallots, chiles and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a food processor or blender. Add the peanut butter, 5 tablespoons kecap manis and ⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon water, and blend until almost smooth. (It makes about 1 ½ cups.) Transfer sauce to a small bowl. (If the sauce thickens, add more water by the tablespoon until it is pourable.)
• Assemble the satay: Place a cube of eggplant onto a bamboo skewer, followed by a piece of pineapple, bell pepper, scallion, tofu and another piece of eggplant. Repeat with the remaining skewers.
• Heat the grill or a griddle pan over high. Use a pastry brush to dab the 1/4 cup oil all over the skewers. Once hot, line the skewers on the grill or griddle pan, working in batches as needed. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning every 2 to 3 minutes with a metal spatula or tongs, until the eggplant is cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
• Prepare the glaze: Mix 4 tablespoons kecap manis with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Brush the glaze all over the skewers.
• Pool about 1 cup peanut sauce onto a large serving plate, spreading it close to the edges of the plate. Lay the cooked skewers on top, then spoon the remaining peanut sauce on top. Drizzle lightly with 1 tablespoon of kecap manis, and garnish with the sliced scallions.