Deep Fried Tofu With Peanut Sauce

Total Time: 20 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 lb tofu
• 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
• 1 coriander leaves, coarsely chopped (if available)
• 3 dried red chili peppers, , seeded,soaked,and coarsely chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon salt
• 1/2 cup rice vinegar (cider vinegar is fine)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup hot water
• 3/4 cup finely chopped/crushed peanuts
• 2 cups peanut oil (for frying tofu) or 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying tofu)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander leaves
• 2 tablespoons red pepper flakes

Recipe

• 1 cut the tofu in 1- 1/2 inch square pieces.
• 2 set aside.
• 3 make a paste (with such small quantities, a mortar and pestle are probably the easiest method) of the garlic, coriander, 3 seeded chili peppers, and salt.
• 4 add the vinegar and mix.
• 5 dissolve the 1/4 cup sugar in 1/4 cup hot water and add it to the paste along with the 1/4 cup of chopped peanuts.
• 6 mix well (the food processor helps here) and put it in a serving bowl.
• 7 sprinkle with coriander leaves and red pepper flakes.
• 8 put the 2 cup of peanut oil in a wok or frying pan over medium-high heat.
• 9 deep-fry the tofu in hot (360 degrees fahrenheit) oil for 5 minutes, until a light gold.
• 10 drain on paper towels.
• 11 place the tofu on a serving plate and the bowl of peanut sauce next to it.
• 12 use the peanut sauce as a dip.
• 13 serve either hot or at room temperature.