Crispy Orange Tofu
Introduction to Crispy Orange Tofu
Crispy Orange Tofu – a vegan alternative to the famous Orange Chicken dish from Panda Express that’s just as flavorful and delicious as the original.
The star ingredient in this recipe is tofu, a protein-packed soy-based product that is widely used in vegan and vegetarian cuisine. When prepared correctly, tofu can be incredibly flavorful and versatile, making it an excellent choice for a variety of dishes. In this recipe, the tofu is coated in a crispy batter and fried to perfection before being tossed in a sweet and tangy orange sauce.
The sauce is made with a combination of fresh orange juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar, which creates a sweet and savory flavor that is sure to please your taste buds. The orange juice adds a bright and refreshing citrus flavor, while the soy sauce and rice vinegar provide a savory umami taste that complements the sweetness of the sauce.
To make the tofu crispy, it is coated in a batter made from cornstarch and flour. The cornstarch helps to create a light and crispy texture, while the flour helps to bind the batter together.
Overall, this Crispy Orange Tofu recipe is a vegan twist on a classic dish that is sure to become a favorite in your household. It’s easy to prepare, flavorful, and satisfying, making it a great choice for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend meal with friends and family.
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Le Creuset Skillet
Chefs Knife
Le Creuset Sauce Pot
What You Need…
How to Make Crispy Orange Tofu
Chefs Tips
Orange Tofu
Ingredients
Tofu marinade
- 14 oz firm tofu (1 pack)
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning
- 1 Tbsp black vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp salt kosher
Wet Dredging
- 1 Tbsp sweet soy sauce
Dry Dredging
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 Tbsp olive oil (for cooking the tofu)
Orange Sauce
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp ginger minced
- 1 Tbsp garlic diced
- ½ tsp red chili flakes
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- ¾ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup cane sugar
- ½ cup scallions sliced
Instructions
How to Make Tofu Marinade
- Press the tofu for 15-20 minutes.
- Combine the black vinegar, poultry seasoning, sesame oil, soy sauce, and kosher salt, and stir.
- Pour the marinade over the tofu, using your hands to rub the marinade into the tofu.
- Set aside.
How to make the Dry Dredging mixture
- Combine the cornstarch and flour.
How to make the Orange Sauce
- Heat a sauce pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil, and lightly toast the garlic and ginger.
- Add the sugar and red chili flakes, and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- The sliced scallions are added next and stirred to combine.
- Combine the orange juice, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and cornstarch. Stir to dissolve the cornstarch.
- Pour the cornstarch mixture into the pot.
- Cook stirring until the sauce is thick. About 2 minutes.
- Set aside.
How to Cook Crispy Tofu
- Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat with olive oil.
- Coat the tofu with cornstarch mixture.
- Once the olive oil is hot add some of the coated tofu.
- Cook all sides of the tofu until crispy and golden brown.
- Gently heat the orange sauce, add the crispy tofu, and serve.
