The other day, I was pan-frying tofu at home. When I first put it in the piece was whole, but by the time I went to flip it, it had completely fallen apart and stuck to the bottom of the pan. Later, I asked a friend and learned that there are certain techniques required to prevent tofu from sticking to the pan.
1. Choose the right tofu
Select tofu with a firm texture. There are many types of tofu on the market, which can be divided into firm and soft based on their texture. Generally, soft tofu is used for Mapo Tofu, while firmer tofu should be used for pan-frying, as it is less likely to break apart during cooking.
2. Use hot oil
You don't need a lot of oil, but it must be hot. A key point to prevent tofu from sticking is to ensure the oil is sufficiently hot. When pan-frying tofu, you don't need to use a large amount of oil, but you must wait until the oil is hot enough to smoke before adding the tofu. You can also try rubbing a layer of ginger vigorously across the bottom of the pan before adding the oil, which can also effectively prevent the tofu from sticking.
3. Use medium heat
To get the tofu to taste good, it's very important to choose the right heat level. If the heat is too low, you can prevent the tofu's surface from burning, but because the heat is low, the cooking time will be longer, making the inside of the tofu too old. If the heat is too high, the outside will burn quickly while the inside remains uncooked. Therefore, you should use medium heat when pan-frying tofu. This allows the surface to quickly become crispy while sealing in the moisture, keeping the inside tender and smooth.
4. Use a clean pan
Before pan-frying tofu, you must clean the pan thoroughly, otherwise, any residue can become a sticking point.
5. Move the pan, not the spatula
Many people, seeing the tofu is almost done, impatiently try to lift it with a spatula, only to have it fall apart. In fact, when frying tofu, you should not move the spatula. Instead, you should move the pan. This not only ensures even heating but also helps you determine if it's time to flip the tofu.
How to tell when to flip the tofu?
If you flip the tofu before it's properly cooked, it will definitely break apart. Therefore, you must wait until a crispy crust has formed before flipping. When you shake the pan and the tofu moves with it, it means it's ready to be flipped.