Bang Bang Tofu over Coconut Rice

ByInes

This is a multi-parter, but sooooo worth it all coming together.
Estimated cooking time for a normal person: 45 minutes. Took me over an hour.
This is vegan if you use vegan mayo!

Ingredients

Bang Bang Tofu
  • Extra Firm Tofu
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise (preferably Kewpie, I used Veganaise this time)
  • 1/2 cup Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Sriracha
  • 1 tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar
  • All Purpose Flour
  • Panko Breadcrumbs
  • Cilantro
  • Green Onion
  • Something heavy (I suggest a cast iron skillet or an Encyclopedia Britannica)
Pickled Onions
  • Red Onion
  • Salt
  • Lime
  • Soy Sauce
Slaw
  • Any mix of cabbages (I used green and purple. Napa would work well too)
  • Carrots
  • Honeycrisp Apple
  • Mayonnaise
  • Rice Vinegar
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Lime
  • Celery Powder (I didn’t use it this time, but I would suggest trying a pinch)
Spicy Cucumber Salad
  • Japanese Cucumber
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Lime
  • Chili Oil
Coconut Rice
  • 1 cup Basmati Rice
  • 1 can Coconut Milk

There are very few specific measurements for this recipe. Each of the sides is up to your discretion of how much you would like to serve with your rice and tofu. I am a horrible example, I made enough slaw for 10 people and onions enough for 2. So I wouldn’t count on my judgement.

This recipe uses an air fryer

Instructions

  1. Bang Bang Tofu
    1. Using several paper towels on each side and your something-heavy, press the tofu for at least 30 mins, or until most of the liquid is pressed out
      1. I would use this time to prepare the sides
    2. To prepare the Bang Bang sauce, mix the mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and vinegar until fully incorporated
      1. I would use a whisk for ultimate smoothness
    3. Cut the pressed tofu into 1 in x 1 in cubes
    4. Preheat your air fryer to 390º F
    5. Prepare plates bowls to bread the tofu
      1. All purpose flour
      2. Bang Bang sauce
      3. Panko breadcrumbs
    6. Breading the tofu:
      1. Coat the tofu cubes in a thin layer of all purpose flour, the flour should stick to any remaining moisture in the tofu very easily
      2. Toss the floured tofu cubes in the Bang Bang sauce until fully coated
      3. Toss the sauced up tofu cubes in the panko breadcrumbs
    7. In batches as required by the size of your air fryer, fry the tofu for 3 minutes, toss, then fry for 2 minutes
    8. Once golden brown and crispy, toss in moreeee Bang Bang sauce
  2. Coconut Rice
    1. However you feel most empowered to cook rice- cook 1 cup basmati rice in 1 3/4 cup of coconut milk and 1/4 cup of water
    2. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and a splash of rice wine vinegar once done
  3. Soy Pickled Onions
    1. Thinly slice your red onion and place in a small bowl
    2. Generously salt
    3. Add the juice of one lime and 2 or so tablespoons of soy sauce, whatever is needed to coat the onions well
    4. Mix well and allow to pickle in the fridge
      1. I would suggest preparing and setting this in the fridge while pressing the tofu and before starting the breading process
  4. Spicy Cucumber Salad
    1. Thinly slice your japanesee cucumber and place in a small bowl
    2. Add a large pinch of salt
    3. Add the juice of one lime and a tablespoon of chili oil
    4. Mix well and allow to pickle in the fridge
      1. I would suggest preparing and setting this in the fridge while pressing the tofu and before starting the breading process
  5. Slaw
    1. Thinly slice your cabbage
    2. Shred your carrots
    3. Cut your apple into matchsticks
      1. I mandoline-d slices of the apple then cut the matchsticks out with a knife
    4. Add the juice of one lime, a large pinch of salt, pepper to taste, a splash of rice vinegar and mix (tiny pinch of celery powder wouldn’t hurt)
    5. Mix in mayonnaise to your desired creaminess
    6. Allow to sit in the fridge until serving
      1. I would suggest preparing this while pressing the tofu and before starting the breading process
  6. To serve:
    1. Chop up the green onion and cilantro
    2. Over the coconut rice, plate the Bang Bang tofu, slaw, cucumbers and onions in your desired proportions and garnish with the chopped herbs
    3. Drizzle the plate with Bang Bang sauce and sriracha and enjoy!

husband rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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