Spicy Buffalo Tofu Drummettes

DSC08594-001If you’ve ever been “on the fence” about tofu because of its texture, these spicy nuggets may just change your mind. They’re pre-baked to give them a dense, meaty and slightly chewy texture before breading and frying. I’ve often heard that people have a difficult time getting breading to actually adhere to tofu. So I experimented with a batter that seems to work rather well. And voila! Spicy Buffalo Tofu Drummettes. I served them with a side of Chunky Bleu Cheese Dressing from my Non-Dairy Evolution Cookbook which can be purchased through this website. And they’re gluten-free!

Ingredients for the drummettes:
1 block extra-firm water-packed tofu
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1/4 cup non-dairy milk
2 T No-Eggy Mayo (from either of my cookbooks) or commercial vegan mayonnaise
3/4 tsp sea salt or kosher salt
1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
1/4 tsp coarse ground black pepper
garbanzo bean (chickpea) flour, about 1 cup
vegetable oil for frying

Ingredients for the sauce:
1/4 cup non-dairy butter (from either of my cookbooks) or commercial vegan margarine
1/4 red hot sauce (a thicker sauce, such as Sriracha, works best)

Technique:
Drain and slice the block of tofu lengthwise through the center to create 2 slabs. Lay each slab on its side and slice lengthwise down through the center to create 4 slabs total.

Thoroughly press the tofu until it is not releasing any more liquid. This is important: the drier the tofu, the better the texture of the finished dish (this can also be done with a tofu press using the whole intact block and the block sliced after pressing).

Preheat the oven to 325°F.

Now cut each slab into 3 drummettes. Try slicing on a slight diagonal, turning the knife slightly to left on the first slice and then slightly to the right on the second slice so the drummettes are irregular rectangles, for a total of 12 drummettes. This will give them a more natural and less uniform appearance. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and place the drummettes on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, turning after 15 minutes. Remove to cool.

In a bowl, whisk together the nutritional yeast, milk, mayo, salt and seasonings until smooth. In a separate bowl, add the garbanzo bean flour.

Dip each drummette in the milk mixture and then dredge in the flour and set aside on a plate. Replenish the flour as needed. Let the drummettes dry for about 10 minutes and then dredge them in the flour again.

In a skillet or wok, heat about ½-inch of oil over medium-high heat until the oil begins to shimmer. Fry the drummettes in the hot oil for several minutes until golden brown. Remove to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain.

Meanwhile, melt the butter or margarine and whisk together with the hot sauce until smooth. Just before serving, drizzle the sauce over the drummettes in a bowl and turn the drummettes gently until they are thoroughly coated with the sauce. Transfer to a serving plate and serve immediately with the dipping sauce of your choice (i.e., vegan blue cheese or creamy ranch dressing).

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Spicy Buffalo Tofu Drummettes
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Ingredients
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Rating: 5
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Instructions
  1. Drain and slice the block of tofu lengthwise through the center to create 2 slabs. Lay each slab on its side and slice lengthwise down through the center to create 4 slabs total.
  2. Thoroughly press the tofu until it is not releasing any more liquid. This is important: the drier the tofu, the better the texture of the finished dish (this can also be done with a tofu press using the whole intact block and the block sliced after pressing).
  3. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
  4. Now cut each slab into 3 drummettes. Try slicing on a slight diagonal, turning the knife slightly to left on the first slice and then slightly to the right on the second slice so the drummettes are irregular rectangles, for a total of 12 drummettes. This will give them a more natural and less uniform appearance. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and place the drummettes on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, turning after 15 minutes. Remove to cool.
  5. In a bowl, whisk together the nutritional yeast, milk, mayo, salt and seasonings until smooth. In a separate bowl, add the garbanzo bean flour.
  6. Dip each drummette in the milk mixture and then dredge in the flour and set aside on a plate. Replenish the flour as needed. Let the drummettes dry for about 10 minutes and then dredge them in the flour again.
  7. In a skillet or wok, heat about ½-inch of oil over medium-high heat until the oil begins to shimmer. Fry the drummettes in the hot oil for several minutes until golden brown. Remove to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain.
  8. Meanwhile, melt the butter or margarine and whisk together with the hot sauce until smooth. Just before serving, drizzle the sauce over the drummettes in a bowl and turn the drummettes gently until they are thoroughly coated with the sauce. Transfer to a serving plate and serve immediately with the dipping sauce of your choice (i.e., vegan blue cheese or creamy ranch dressing).
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