Tofu Golden Triangles with Hot and Sweet Dipping Sauce | Easy Tofu Recipes

We love to go to Asian restaurants. But whenever we go we have very few options for vegetarian appetizers. DH being a hard-core vegetarian, would mostly prefer to order this one next only to Spring Rolls. He is not a big fan of tofu and never like it when it is mild. But when it is made crunchy or spicy he is totally a different person and can't resist. I mostly grill or make Thai curry/Rice with Tofu. When I picked up tofu this time during my grocery shopping, DH was telling (more of complaining) that I never make his favorite appetizer. So one fine evening I surprised him my making his favorite tofu dish. It takes less time to put together this one. I am not kidding when I say it took less time for me to prepare this than to write this recipe.

Ingredients:
Setting time - 30 mins; Preparation time - 10 mins
Tofu - 1 Pack - Firm or Extra Firm
Oil - For deep frying
Salt - for seasoning
Method:
Drain the water in the tofu and dry excess water. Place the tofu wrapped up in a kitchen towel and place a heavy pan over it. In about 15-30 mins all the water would be absorbed in the kitchen towel. Cut the tofu into small pieces. Deep fry the tofu pieces in a oil heating over med-high heat. Fry until golden brown and drain in a tissue paper. When it is still hot sprinkle little salt over 
the tofu. Serve with Hot and Sweet Dipping Sauce.
Note: Like any deep fried item, Tofu absorbs more oil if it has more water inside it. So try to get the water out as much as possible before frying.
Oven Bake Method:
Preheat the broiler. Place the oven rack in the center of the oven. Line a baking sheet with aluminium foil and spray oil. Arrange the cut tofu pieces in the pan and broil for 12-15 minutes. Remove every 4 minutes and flip the pieces over. It only takes moments to go from baked to burnt when set in broil mode. So keep a watchful eye after 8 minutes.

Hot and Sweet Dipping Sauce
Ingredients:
Preparation time - 5 mins
Red chilli paste - 1 tbsp plus more if you wish
Sugar - 2 tbsp
Water - 2 tbsp
Vinegar or Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
Crushed peanuts - 1 tbsp (optional - I did not add)
Method:
Mix water and sugar until it is dissolved. Heat all the ingredients until warm. This enables better infusion of the flavors. Allow to cool and serve.

Sending this to 100 Day Global Food Festival event, CC-What's For Friday Dinner, Kid's Delight - Party and to Flavors of Indonesia event by Nayna.