Sesame Crusted Satay Tofu

Method

1. If you’re freezing the tofu, first remove it from its packaging and discard any water. Add the block to a Tupperware box, close with a lid and freeze overnight. The next morning, remove the tofu from the box and place it on a cooling rack over a tray or a plate to defrost for 5 hours. Alternatively defrost the tofu in a microwave to speed up this process.
2. When the tofu is ready, use your hands to squeeze out any remaining water over a sink, then slice it into 8 squares or rectangles and transfer it to a small dish. Combine the marinade ingredients in a small bowl, then pour it over the tofu making sure all the pieces are covered. Cover the dish and leave to marinade in the fridge for a minimum of 2 hours but ideally overnight.
3. When you’re ready to start preparing the dish, start by slicing the carrot and purple cabbage, then peel and dice the ginger. Transfer them to a large bowl and add the remaining slaw ingredients. Give everything a mix, then leave the slaw to one side.
4. Next cook the jasmine rice as per the packet instructions, then keep it covered and leave to one side. Next break up the head of pak choi into its separate leaves, rinse them and leave them to one side.
5. Add the cornflour, plant-based milk and sesame seeds to three separate shallow bowls. Coat the marinated tofu first in the cornflour, then in the plant-based milk and finally in the sesame seeds. Note: don’t throw away the marinade because you’ll need it for the satay sauce.
6. Add a generous amount of vegetable oil to a pan over a medium heat (2-3mm deep). Test it’s hot enough by dropping a seed into the oil. If the seed sizzles as soon as it hits the oil, then you’re good to go. Cooking it batches of 4, shallow fry the tofu for 2-3 minutes on each side or until the sesame seeds begin to turn golden brown, then transfer to a plate lined with kitchen paper to soak up any excess oil.
7. Next, carefully remove the oil from the pan, wipe it clean and return it to a medium-high heat. Add a small drizzle of vegetable oil, then fry the pak choi leaves for 2 minutes.
8. Meanwhile, pour the leftover marinade into a small bowl (pick out any small pieces of tofu that might have broken off) and add the remaining satay sauce ingredients, followed by 1 tbsp of water. Stir to combine. The sauce should be runny but not watery. If necessary, add more peanut butter or water until it reaches the desired consistency.
9. When you’re ready to start building the bowls, first add the cooked rice, followed by the spicy slaw, sesame crusted tofu, pak choi and fresh coriander leaves, then pour the satay sauce into the middle. Slice the red chilli and sprinkle over the top of the bowls, followed by some sesame seeds. All done!