Recipe- Easy To Make Sesame Crusted Tofu Steaks

Here’s a quick and easy way to transform tofu from boring to delicious: cut them into steaks and pan fry with a crispy sesame crust, then douse with Teriyaki Sauce. It’s a recipe that’ll change anybody’s mind about tofu!

Ingredients

4 extra firm or hard tofu , cut into 10 x 5 x 1.5cm slices (4 x 2 x 0.6″), 100g / 3.5oz each
1/4 tsp each salt and pepper
2 tbsp flour , plain/all purpose
1 egg , lightly whisked
4 tbsp white sesame seeds
4 tbsp black sesame seeds
2 tbsp canola/vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves , finely sliced 1mm thick
1 green onion , finely sliced (for garnish)

Teriyaki Sauce:

2 tbsp soy sauce , preferably Japanese all-purpose, else light soy sauce
2 tbsp mirin , preferably Japanese
2 tbsp cooking sake , preferably Japanese
2 tbsp water

Method

Sesame coating:

- 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.

Cooking:

- 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.