Description
This Crispy Orange Tofu recipe delivers a deliciously tangy, sweet, and savory dish with perfectly fried tofu coated in a glossy orange sauce. Ideal for a satisfying vegetarian meal, it's best served over steamed Jasmine rice with a sprinkle of green onions and toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Tofu
- 1 block firm tofu, pressed
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of white pepper
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoon avocado oil, for frying
Sauce
- 2/3 cup orange juice
- 3 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon soy sauce (or tamari)
- 3 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2½ tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon orange zest (or zest of 1 small orange)
Remaining Ingredients
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger, packed
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
- ¼ cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions, for garnish (optional)
- Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Press Tofu: Press the tofu for 30 minutes to 1 hour to remove excess moisture. Once pressed, cut into 1-inch cubes and transfer to a large bowl.
- Season Tofu: Add the soy sauce, salt, and white pepper to the tofu cubes and gently mix to combine. Sprinkle over half of the cornstarch, mix well, then add the second half and mix again. Set aside to absorb the flavors.
- Fry Tofu: Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Once hot, add the tofu cubes and fry until golden brown and crispy on all sides. Remove the tofu from the pan and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, stir together orange juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and orange zest. Set this sauce mixture aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Using the same skillet, add garlic, grated ginger, red chili flakes, and a pinch of salt. Add more oil if necessary. Sauté the mixture over medium heat until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- Cook Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet and bring it to a boil over medium heat.
- Thicken Sauce: In a separate small bowl, whisk together warm water and cornstarch until smooth. Slowly add this slurry to the simmering sauce, whisking constantly. Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken for about 6-8 minutes while stirring frequently.
- Combine Tofu and Sauce: Add the fried tofu back into the skillet with the thickened sauce. Stir in toasted sesame oil and mix until the tofu is well coated. Adjust seasoning by adding salt if needed.
- Serve: Serve the crispy orange tofu over cooked Jasmine rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if desired. Enjoy your flavorful meal!
Notes
- Extra-firm tofu can be used as a substitute for firm tofu if desired.
- Serve this orange tofu with Jasmine rice and steamed or roasted broccoli for a complete meal.
- White sugar or coconut sugar can replace brown sugar as the sweetener in the sauce.
- Ensure the tofu is well pressed to maximize crispiness when frying.
- Adjust the amount of red chili flakes to control the spiciness according to your preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
