Apollo Tofu (Crispy Tofu Appetizer in Peppery Sauce)

Crispy, peppery Apollo tofu is a well-liked South-Indian appetizer that’s simply completely scrumptious! Serve it as a starter or aspect, or dish it up over rice. (nut-free with gluten-free and soy-free choices)

Apollo tofu is a vegan model of Apollo fish or Apollo rooster. That is one other widespread appetizer that you’ll find in South Indian eating places, particularly in Hyderabad. That is one other one in my collection of exploring regional Indian cuisines and making vegan variations of amazingly scrumptious meat-based appetizers.

This dish originated from a fusion of Andhra delicacies and Indo-Chinese cuisine. It has comparable elements to tofu majestic or tofu 65, however it’s spicier and much more enjoyable! It’s tremendous scrumptious, identical to these two. This recipe comes collectively actually shortly and is a unbelievable aspect or starter.

You can also make it dry-ish, like I’m making it in the present day, or you can also make it saucier and serve it over rice. To tame down the warmth, serve it with a cucumber salad or lettuce, cucumber, tomato, onion, and lime, salt, and pepper salad. Or, serve it over rice, which provides a whole lot of quantity and helps tame the warmth.

If you would like it much less spicy, you’ll be able to scale back all the warmth components in Apollo tofu to your choice, so that they add taste with out as a lot warmth. Modify all the pieces based on your style.

There may be warmth from 4 totally different components: Kashmiri chili powder, black pepper, a lot of inexperienced chilies, and sambal oelek. If you happen to don’t have sambal oelek, use one other Asian chili sauce and even chili crisp. The inexperienced chilies can generally be actually sizzling, relying on what you’re utilizing. I often use serranos or Indian chilies, so use much less based on your choice, or use milder inexperienced chilies, if wanted. You can too use finely chopped bell pepper as a substitute, as a result of there’s already loads of taste and warmth within the sauce.

You can too use different proteins right here. You need to use chickpea tofu, pumpkin seed tofu, vegan rooster substitute, or vegan fish substitute as a substitute of tofu. This dish is historically widespread with fish. You can additionally use vegan shrimp or prawn. 

I additionally modified issues up a little bit by including orange juice, which provides a unbelievable taste. You can too add a little bit little bit of maple syrup to steadiness the warmth and the general savory taste.

Why You’ll Love Apollo Tofu

• crispy tofu in a zingy, spicy, peppery sauce
• versatile! Use plant-based protein of alternative, bake or pan fry the tofu, regulate sauce quantity to choice, and serve how you want
• scrumptious aspect dish or entree over rice or in wraps
• naturally nut-free with straightforward gluten-free and soy-free choices

Components

• tofu – That is your protein. You need to use different plant-based proteins, like chickpea tofu, pumpkin seed tofu, vegan rooster substitute, or vegan fish substitute as a substitute of tofu. Select soy-free, if wanted.
• aromatics – We’re utilizing ginger garlic paste or minced ginger and garlic to coat the tofu. For the sauce, you will have finely chopped ginger and garlic in addition to sliced sizzling inexperienced chilis. For much less warmth, use milder inexperienced chilis and even an equal quantity of bell pepper.
• spices – The tofu coating makes use of salt and Kashmiri chili powder. For the sauce, we’re utilizing extra Kashmiri chili powder in addition to curry leaves, floor coriander, black pepper, and salt.
• cornstarch and rice flour – To coat the tofu. Rice flour makes it crispy. You additionally use cornstarch combined with water to thicken the sauce.
• oil – To crisp up the tofu and to sauté the aromatics for the sauce.
• sauces – Soy sauce and Sambal Oelek add quantity, moisture, and taste to the sauce. Use tamari for gluten-free or coconut aminos for soy-free. If you happen to don’t have Sambal Oelek, use different Asian chili sauce, sriracha, or chili crisp.
• juices – A mixture of lime and orange juice (use half the quantity of lemon juice for those who shouldn’t have orange juice) give the sauce extra moisture and tang.
• garnishes – Garnish Apollo tofu with chopped cilantro and inexperienced onion and a superb sprint of Garam Masala.

Make Apollo Tofu

Press the tofu, for those who haven’t already, then tear it into bite-sized items and add it to a bowl. Add the ginger-garlic paste and oil, and toss properly to coat. If utilizing minced ginger and garlic, add a little bit additional oil to assist coat the tofu evenly.

In a small bowl, combine the Kashmiri chili powder, salt, cornstarch, and rice flour till properly mixed. Sprinkle this combination over the tofu, and toss properly to coat.

To pan-fry the tofu, warmth two teaspoons of oil in a big skillet over medium-high warmth. As soon as the oil is sizzling, add the tofu and let it sit undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip utilizing a spatula or by gently tossing the pan, and cook dinner for an additional minute. Then, flip once more. Repeat this two to 3 instances till most sides are crisp, then take away from the skillet. 

To bake the tofu, preheat the oven to 400° F (205° C), and switch the tofu to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Unfold it out, so the items will not be sticking to one another. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or till crisp, ideally utilizing convection mode so the tofu will get actually crispy.

Warmth the identical skillet over medium warmth and add the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil. As soon as the oil is sizzling, scale back the warmth to low, so the garlic doesn’t burn. Add the ginger and garlic and cook dinner for about 30 seconds, till the garlic simply begins to show golden. Add the inexperienced chilies and curry leaves.

Enhance the warmth to medium. If the pan seems dry, add one other teaspoon of oil. Prepare dinner for about half a minute. Add all of the spices and the remaining salt. Add the soy sauce and the Asian chili sauce, and blend all the pieces collectively. Add the lime juice and orange juice. Stir the cornstarch and water collectively, and add it in, mixing properly. Carry the combination to a boil.

As quickly because the sauce is boiling, add the crispy tofu, and toss properly to coat. Flip off the warmth. Garnish with cilantro, inexperienced onion, a touch of garam masala, and one other squeeze of lime juice for those who like.

Serve instantly, as is, with cucumber or a aspect salad, over rice, and even as wraps. It’s simply fantastically scrumptious.

What to Serve with Apollo Tofu

As a aspect dish, serve this with sliced cucumber, kachumber salad, or a aspect salad. You can too serve over rice.

To make wraps, chop some lettuce or cabbage and toss with lime juice, salt, and pepper. High with the tofu and end with a drizzle of vegan yogurt or vegan ranch, and serve.