Name: Panfried Tofu with Asian Caramel Sauce
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: Makes 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 (14-ounce) block extra-firm tofu, rinsed; 1/2 pound shallots (4 to 5 large); 1 cup vegetable oil; 1/3 cup sugar; 1 garlic clove, finely chopped; 1/2 tablespoon finely chopped peeled fresh ginger; 3 tablespoons soy sauce; 3 tablespoons rice vinegar (not seasoned); 1 1/3 cups plus 2 tablespoons water; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1/3 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves; 1/3 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves; cooked jasmine rice; steamed baby bok choy (optional); lime wedges

Image may contain Food Meal Dish Lunch Plant Cutlery and Fork

Panfried Tofu with Asian Caramel SauceRomulo Yanes

I like to think of tofu as a blank canvas just waiting for the application of texture and color. Here, I've panfried it to crisp the edges and draped it in a velvety Vietnamese-style caramel sauce. A shower of fresh herbs and browned shallots gives it an extra layer of flavor. If you prep the herbs and make the sauce ahead, you can put this on the table in under half an hour.

Cooks' Notes:

·Sauce can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, uncovered, until completely cooled, then covered. Reheat sauce over moderately low heat, thinning it with additional water if necessary.
·Shallots can be fried 1 day ahead and cooled completely, uncovered, then kept at room temperature in an airtight container lined with paper towels.

Recipe notes

Classic French Bouillabaisse With Rouille

This flexible recipe is all you need to bring this iconic Provençal seafood stew to your table.

Rouille

This piquant French sauce comes together in the blender in just five minutes.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Dulce de Leche

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Key Lime Pie Thumbprint Cookies

The classic dessert reimagined as a soft and chewy cookie with a buttery, brown-sugar-sweetened graham cracker dough and a silky lime custard filling.