British-Style Fish N Chips (Vegetarian)

1 lb. firm tofu *
1 bottle malt vinegar
1 cup flour
1 cup bitter or stout beer
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. salt, or to taste
1/4 tsp. pepper, or to taste
2 cups (approx.) peanut oil or Crisco for deep-frying
Frozen potato chips or 3 potatoes cut into finger shapes

Directions:

Drain the tofu and then press it between two cutting boards with weight on top (books, plates, etc.) Let it squeeze for an hour or so, then place the tofu into a bowl of malt vinegar and place it in the fridge. You don't really need to cover the tofu with the malt vinegar, but the more the better. Let it marinade for as long as you can, preferably overnight.

To make the beer batter, simply mix the equal amounts of flour and beer along with the spices.

Heat the oil in a fry pan or wok to medium high. Cook your chips and place them in a warm oven.

While the chips are cooking take the marinated tofu out of the fridge and pat it dry. Cut the tofu lengthwise into bars that resemble fish sticks. Dunk the tofu bars into the batter and then place them in the hot oil one by one. Be sure they're coated thoroughly with the batter. You can even drizzle a little more batter on them as they fry. Deep-fry them until the batter turns a nice golden brown. Be careful to not let them stick together. Remove with tongs and place on paper towels.

Serve right away with chips and more malt vinegar.

Comments from David Loomis :

If you plan ahead, freeze and then thaw the tofu for a firmer texture.

Pressing the tofu between cutting boards helps remove excess moisture so that it will soak up more of the malt vinegar.

Be sure NOT to use the kind of tofu that comes in the hermetically sealed foil packs that resemble juice boxes, as it is too soft (even the "firm" kind.)

* NOT the silken kind

User Reviews:

Would the people suggesting replacing the tofu with cod, please, get a life, or a clue, or (preferably) both.

This recipe has great tips on preparing the tofu. I do wonder how large you could leave the slices of tofu...

I <3 Tofu!

submitted by fendove on December 03, 2007

This was delicious. As a vegan, and not some earth raping monster, I'm glad you included the tofu notes in your recipe. Excellent work.

Submitted by Mark on December 04, 2003

TOFU!!!!! NEVER!

Submitted by Claudia Mitchell on December 04, 2003

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