COOKING TOFU ON STOVE RECIPES

Steps:

• Take your block of tofu and wrap it in several layers of paper towels.
• Gently press the tofu with your hands or against the counter top to release the liquid. This will take about a minute.
• Slice the tofu into pieces about 1/2 an inch thick.
• Set tofu aside.
• If you are using a non-stick pan heat it slightly on medium-high heat (about 30 seconds) before adding oil.
• If you are using a cast iron pan, please heat for about 1 minute to 1 1/2 minutes on medium-high heat. Cast iron is very thick and you want the pan to be heated evenly before adding the tofu.
• Add oil to heated pan.
• Gently spread oil over the entire surface of the pan.
• Set the tofu pieces in the pan, leaving ample room between them. They should sizzle when placed in the oil. Sprinkle the tops with salt and a little cayenne pepper.
• Now, the MOST IMPORTANT step is -- LEAVE THEM ALONE for about 6 or 7 minutes. Just gently shake them to make sure they don't stick to the pan. Do NOT turn them or agitate them in any other way. When you see a golden crust beginning to creep its way up the sides of the slices, turn them and spice the other side. Add more oil if the pan seems too dry.
• The second side will only take about 4 minutes to cook.
• When they are evenly browned take them out of the pan and place them on paper towels to drain.
• These are very simply seasoned and basic and can now be used any way you like. I like these with steamed broccoli and peanut sauce -- or in a sandwich with grilled peppers and mushrooms and aioli -- or just eaten with ketchup:-).

Steps:

• To make the braising broth, put the vegetable oil, ginger, scallions, garlic, and lemongrass in a stockpot and fry over high heat until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add the rest of the braising broth ingredients and bring the liquid to a boil. Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 1 hour. Strain the braising broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a large pot, discarding all the aromatics and spices.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until it is just beginning to smoke, about 395ºF. Put the tofu in the oil and deep-fry until a brown skin forms on the outside, about 5 minutes. Remove the tofu from the oil and drain it on paper towels.
• Put the braising broth, along with any leftover broth, in a saucepan and add the tofu. Set the heat to low and simmer the tofu, covered, for 30 minutes or until it has absorbed the flavors.
• Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool completely. Take the tofu out of the pot and store it, submerged in the broth, in a covered container in the refrigerator.
• Cut the tofu into ¼-inch-thick slices, pour a little bit of the braising broth over the slices, and serve at room temperature.