After pressing the water out of the tofu, the marinade is made, and then the tofu sits in the marinade for as long as you want (preferably over an hour-I did mine overnight).
Then you cook it up, and it's done. It's really easy, and tasty.
Crispy Pressed Tofu with Garlic and Mint
Ingredients
- 2 14-ounce packages extra-firm tofu
- 4 large garlic cloves smashed
- 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt or kosher salt plus more to season
- ½ cup packed fresh mint leaves chopped
- zest of 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 TBS extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
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1. Drain tofu with EZ Tofu Press or between books/towels if you have no press.
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2. Slice each piece of tofu crosswise into 4 (½-inch) thick slabs.
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3. Mash the garlic to a paste with the salt. In a large bowl, whisk together the mint, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic paste, and pepper flakes. Whisking constantly, drizzle in the olive oil.
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4. Toss the tofu with the marinade, cover with plastic wrap, and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate it for up to 12 hours.
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5. When you are ready to cook, preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat for several minutes. Lift the tofu from the marinade and place it in the pan. Reserve the marinade. Press tofu down with spatula while cooking. Some liquid will come out, that is good. Cook for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook until the tofu is well browned, a few more minutes. Flip the tofu over, and cook until the tofu is browned on the second side and cooked through.
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6. Transfer the tofu to a serving platter. Pour the oil out of the pan, then add the reserved marinade. Stir and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan; pour over the tofu and serve.
Ginger says
Tofu intimidates me so I rarely cook it. My mom panko breads it and fries which is good. I personally buy silken tofu to add to smoothies for my kids in the mornings. It is a huge protein punch to their breakfast.
Heather K says
I love love love tofu! It is hard for me to pick a favorite. Baking it is really good, since it really gets the flavor in there. My husband also will sometimes coat the tofu in a breadcrumb mixture and fry it, which is delicious, but we only eat it like that very rarely.
Charity says
We only eat it this way as a treat, but I love it fried like hot wings! So yum! Of course not the healthiest, so we usually only do this for Super Bowl or parties 🙂 I've also shared on my Facebook! I would love a press instead of using half a roll of paper towels!
Allyson says
Um, recipe please?! this sounds delicious!!!
Nicole says
I love crispy pressed tofu with a chili sweet and sour sauce on top paired with stir fry veggies. Also, I shared it on Facebook!
Jessica says
I love tofu. We eat it a few times a week! My favorite is mabo tofu with hot peppercorns or firm 5 spice. Mmmmmm
Deauna says
I'd make tofu stir fry. I love ginger sesame and think the tofu would be awesome marinated in it.
katrina berg says
We luv tofu, we mostly eat fermented tofu, but having a press to make our own would be amazing! Most often we stir fry the tofu with whatever veggies are available, fresh herbs like parsely or chives, quinoa or rice, soy sauce, fish sauce, and various eastern spices...yum!
De'nise says
Hi! I like to have my tofu with salsa,eggplant & parmesan cheese. But I do plan on trying this recipe sooooon. I shared on Facebook also and no I don't have a "tofu press". 😉
Heather K says
Shared it and commented on your Facebook post!
Ashley Weber says
I have recently (as in 3 days ago) changed to a vegetarian diet so I've never actually made tofu myself. I had it once back in high school in a smoothie which tasted great but I have no idea how it was made!!! So the answer to your question, "whats your favorite way to eat tofu?" Anyway it tastes good!!!!
Jodi Thomas says
We eat tofu so many ways. General Tso's tofu is probably our favorite!
Vibeke says
Mmm, that recipe looks so good. I've only ever had pressed tofu in a restaurant sandwich, but I'd love to make my own. - Sharing this on my page and my business page on FB.
Megan says
My favorite way to eat tofu is definitely in stir frys. When I don't have time to press it stir frys help hide a non pressed texture and it absorbs the garlicy flavors perfectly.
Kelly says
I love to eat Jerk Tofu sandwiches. Yummo!
Kelly says
Commented on the Post on Facebook!
Ericka A. says
Tofu is still new to me so I would say I like making it ricotta-like and adding it to my favorite pasta dishes. This would definitely help with quicker meal preparation...and WOW it really condenses the tofu! Mine never looks like that! 🙂
Angela Larkin Crosher says
I'm still learning to use tofu (we eat a lot of beans) and so far I like it as a tofu ricotta or sliced thin and stir-fried.
I also commented & shared on Facebook!
Rejoyce Soukup Milam says
my favorite tofu dish is a streamlined version of the bbq tofu in the new farm cookbook. a little pb added to a quick bbq sauce layered with pressed, or drained tofu and baked for 40 mins. it is almost like what my hippie dad makes.
lb says
ooooh i've been wanting one of these! no more leaning tower of pisa in my fridge trying to press the tofu with the weight of almond milk containers!! 😉 i love caprese salads with tofu instead of the cheese. sooo yummy!
Anne Marie says
Our favorite way to eat tofu is in a tofu scramble. We add a variety of veggies, always mushrooms, and throw in a medley of spices and a pinch of tumeric!
Katie says
I love tofu with garlic and onions. A little bit of diced tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and egg noodles and it's quite a tasty treat! I also love tofu in fruit smoothies. It adds so much protein and a smooth texture that myself and my kids love.
I usually press my tofu between two plates with a book on top to weigh it down and lots of paper towels. An EZ tofu press would be perfect!
Diane Vandermast says
I like tofu in so many different ways it's hard to pick a fav, but I seem to use it most often in stir frys, so I guess that's it. Would love to win the EZ tofu press, so I can put the tomato can weights back in the pantry :)0
Ruby Rochetto says
EZ Tofu Press makes preparing tofu lots easier. Wish I had one!