HOW TO COOK TOFU ON THE STOVE RECIPES

Steps:

• Drain the tofu and place on a plate. Wrap the tofu in a clean, absorbent dish towel and gently press on it using your palms. This will remove the excess water from the tofu. If you’re using firm tofu, you can place a heavy object on top and let the tofu press for 30 minutes to firm it up even more.
• Cut the block into 4 columns. After that, cut across the 4 columns, creating 5 rows. As a result, you’ll have 20 cubes of tofu.
• Place the cubed tofu on a paper towel and then either fold the paper towel over the top of the tofu or place another paper towel on top. If you want to avoid making a mess, use an extra layer or two of paper towels. Once everything is neatly packed, put weight on top of it. It doesn’t have to be much, a cutting board with a can of food will do. Wait for 10 minutes. If you want to be extra sure, you can wait 20 to 30 minutes.
• Remove the paper towels and place your tofu in a bowl. Pour in the olive oil and the soy sauce. You don’t need much, 1 tablespoon per 13- to 14-ounce block of tofu will do. Toss the tofu around the bowl to mix things up.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C ). Line the baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place your tofu on a baking sheet. Pour any excess soy sauce from the bowl over the tofu on the baking sheet. Finally, spread the tofu into a single layer with as much space between pieces as possible.
• Roast the tofu for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes. The tofu is done when it is golden brown and crisp on the outside and tender in the center.

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:-).