Ginger Sesame Grilled Tofu Steaks Recipes

TOFU STEAK

Steps:

• Press the tofu. Put the tofu on to press for 30 minutes. Ideally use a tofu press but if you don't have one then place the tofu onto a plate with another plate on top of it and then stack something heavy on top like heavy books or a heavy pot.
• Prepare the marinade sauce. While the tofu is pressing add sesame oil, soy sauce, tomato paste, maple syrup, crushed garlic, liquid smoke, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and ground black pepper to a measuring jug and whisk together until well mixed.
• Marinate the tofu steaks. When the tofu is finished pressing, slice it into four rectangular steaks. Place the steaks into a shallow tray and brush all sides with the marinade sauce and leave to marinate for 15 minutes.
• Heat a grill pan on medium heat. When hot, brush it with sesame oil.
• Grill the tofu steaks. Add two tofu steaks to the hot grill pan and let them cook for 3 minutes. They should stick to the pan when they first go in, this is fine. After 3 minutes they should release easily from the pan. Flip them over and cook on the other side for 3 minutes. They should now have nice straight grill lines on them.
• Brush with marinade sauce. When the tofu steaks are cooked, use some leftover marinade sauce to brush the steaks on both sides and then remove them from the pan.
• Repeat with the next two tofu steaks.
• Serve with veggies, salad or chips or topped with vegan peppercorn sauce.

SESAME CRUSTED TOFU STEAKS WITH TERIYAKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Season tofu: Pat tofu dry with paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Prepare crust coating: Place flour, egg and sesame in separate bowls (medium shallow bowls or tupperware best).
• Sesame crust: Press tofu into flour, shake off excess. Dip in egg, then let excess drip off before coat in sesame seeds, pressing to adhere all over. Repeat with remaining tofu.
• Crispy garlic: Heat oil in a non stick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until golden and crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels.
• Cook tofu: Turn heat up to medium-high. Place tofu in skillet and cook for 1 1/2 minutes until the sesame smells nutty and becomes crisp. Turn carefully and cook the other side for 1 1/2 minutes. Then use tongs to prop the tofu steaks up on its sides to sear the edges until crisp - about 30 seconds each side should do it (see video for my technique).
• Drain: Remove tofu to paper towel lined plate.
• Teriyaki Sauce: Lower heat to medium then add Teriyaki Sauce ingredients. Simmer for 1 minute until it reduces to a syrupy consistency, then remove skillet from stove.
• Serve: Place tofu steak on plate. Spoon over Teriyaki Sauce (it clings to sesame, don't worry, crust stays crispy). Sprinkle with garlic and green onion. Devour, then declare, "I LOVE TOFU!!".

GRILLED SOY, GINGER AND LIME TOFU STEAKS WITH CHARRED BABY BOK CHOY

Steps:

• Put the tofu steaks on a paper towel-lined rimmed baking sheet and top with more paper towels, pressing gently to remove excess moisture. Remove the paper towels and towel and sprinkle the tofu with salt and pepper on both sides.
• Stir to combine the soy sauce, cilantro, lime juice, brown sugar, ginger, garlic and scallion whites in a medium bowl. Pour 1/3 cup of the marinade over the tofu steaks, flipping to coat both sides. Reserve the remaining marinade for serving.
• Put the bok choy on another rimmed baking sheet and brush all sides with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Prepare a grill for medium heat and brush the grates of the grill with oil.
• Put the tofu steaks and bok choy, cut-sides down, on the grill at an angle across the grates. Close the lid of the grill and cook for 5 minutes, then rotate both the tofu and the bok choy 90 degrees and cook another 5 minutes with the lid closed. Flip the tofu steaks and bok choy and cook for another 10 minutes with the lid closed, rotating 90 degrees halfway through to create crosshatch grill marks.
• Remove the tofu and bok choy to a platter. Spoon the reserved marinade over the tofu and bok choy and sprinkle the tofu steaks with the scallion greens and toasted sesame seeds.

GRILLED OR PAN-FRIED MARINATED TOFU

Steps:

• Combine all of the marinade ingredients in a 2-quart bowl. Whisk together well.
• Drain the tofu and pat dry with paper towels. Slice into 1/2-inch thick slabs, and blot each slab with paper towels. Add to the bowl with the marinade, and gently toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes to an hour, or for up to a day.
• To pan-fry the tofu, heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large, heavy nonstick skillet. When the oil is hot, add the tofu in one layer (you may have to do this in batches). Cook on one side for one to two minutes, until lightly colored. Using tongs, turn the tofu over and cook for another one to two minutes, or until lightly colored on the other side. Remove from the pan, and serve with additional marinade or soy sauce. To grill the tofu, prepare a medium-hot grill. Brush the grill with oil, and grill until grill marks appear, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side. Remove from the heat, and serve with additional marinade or soy sauce.