Deep-fried Tofu With Peanut Sauce

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 lb firm tofu, drained
• 3 dried red chilies
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 cilantro stems, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup rice vinegar
• 14 cups hot water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons cilantro leaves, chopped
• 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• 2 cups peanut oil

Recipe

• 1 place 2 layers of paper towels on a plate, set tofu block on top, and cover with 2 more paper towels and a heavy pan or metal press and let sit 30 minutes to remove excess water from tofu.
• 2 soak dried chilies in hot water to soften. remove seeds and chop chilies.
• 3 cut the tofu into cubes 1′ x 1′ x 1 1/2“. set aside.
• 4 make a paste of the garlic, cilantro root, chili peppers and salt. add the vinegar and mix.
• 5 dissolve the sugar in the hot water and add it to the paste along with the peanuts. sprinkle with cilantro leaves & red pepper flakes.
• 6 put the oil in a wok and heat until hot.
• 7 deep-fry the tofu for 5 minutes until it becomes light brown. drain on paper towels.
• 8 place tofu on a serving plate with the peanut sauce and some toothpicks next to it. use the sauce as a dip. serve either hot or at room temperature.