Sesame Tofu

Having always had a thing for tofus/beancurds, Tricia and I got a mini cookboook some time back which contains 35 easy-to-follow tofu recipes by Betty Saw. You'll be able to find a copy of this mini cookbook at Popular or Kino.

The first tofu dish I picked out which indeed makes a good side dish was this deep-fried sesame tofu .

(Adapted from Betty Saw's Mini Cookbook)

What You'll Need:

3 firm tofu (used 3 big/long square tau kua instead; tastier and cut them to give 9pcs in total)

1 egg, lightly beaten and mixed with 1tbsp milk/water

60g (2oz) sesame seeds

50g (1 2/3oz) plain flour, sifted and mixed with 1/4tsp salt and 1/4tsp ground white pepper

cooking oil for deep-frying

What You'll Need for Marination of Tofu:

2 red chilli, seeded and ground

16 garlic cloves, peeled and ground

1 stalk spring onion, finely chopped

2tbsp light soy sauce

5tbsp chinese rice wine (Hua Tiao)

1tsp sugar

1/4tsp salt

1/4 ground white pepper

*Note: Vary the amount of sesame seed used according to your preference.

Method:

1. Arrange tofu slices in a single layer on a flat dish.

2. Combine marinade ingredients in a mixing bowl and pour over tofu. Leave to marinade for a least 15 minutes, turning the tofu slices over occasionally (leaving it overnight or half a day is better so as to get the flavor soaked in).

3. Dip the tofu slices, one at a time, into egg and milk or water mixture. Coat with sesame seeds and flour mixture.

4. Deep-fry the coated tofu slices in hot oil until golden brown. Drain on absorbent kitchen paper, and serve with chilli sauce (Thai sweet chili sauce goes best).

Have fun!