Atsuage | SHIZUOKA GOURMET

Tofu is a very important and healthy food both for vegans and omnivores as it is made with soy beans.
But some people understandingly would like to eat it in a more solid form.
Nothing is easier. You just need oil!
Seasoning is up to you and I’ll give you some suggestions there!
Here are the steps for a simple recipe for atusage/厚揚げ/”Thick fry”!

First, what tofu should you choose.
I personally prefer silk tofu/kinudofu/絹豆腐 but some might want something with a better bite. In this case use momendofu/木綿豆腐 or something even firmer.

First cut the tofu into slices of your preference.

Place them on a tray lined with a piece of clean dry cooking cloth.

place another piece of clean dry cooking cloth over the tofu and some improvised weight (see above) to press water out.
The cloth will imbibe with the water making the later transfer of the tofu slices easier.
Press the water out for a s long as you want, depending of how firm you want your atsuage.

Do not coat the tofu with flour or cornstarch as this is a very different recipe!
Utilize oil you have already used 2 or 3 times for better coloring of the atsuage. Filter the oil beforehand, though, so as not mix the tofu with any other food particles.
Use sesame oil (used for tempura for example) if possible but any good frying vegetable oil is OK.

Bring the oil temperature to 180 degrees Celsius.
Drop the tofu gently into the oil.
As it will float, wait until one side is well cooked to a “kitsune iro/Color of a fox” as they say in Japan.
Turn over gently to cook the other side.
The length of the frying will depend on how well cooked you want your tofu.

for more practicality I cut the tofu thin enough to make nice “tiles” I can serve in many ways, but of course this is to you. Large dices is also a good idea!
Place the atsuage over a grill of kitchen paper to take away excess oil.

As for seasoning my preference is serving the atsuage hot or cold (or reheated) topped with finely sliced leek, grated fresh ginger and ponzu.
Naturally a lot of people use their favorite soy sauce or/and add chili pepper powder or/and other spices.
Cold, it is great served as a salad with fine greens and dressing!

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