step 1:
Put the tofu on a tray. To drain water from the tofu, first put a plate over it. Then, put a heavy thing (about 500 g, such as a book, 450 ml plastic bottled drink, etc.) over the plate . Let sit for about 2 hours.
step 2:
Place a knife 1 cm. down the side of the block and slice across. Again place the knife another 1 cm. down the side and slice across to form three slices.
step 3:
Heat the oil to 150°C and deep-fry the three tofu slices for 10 minutes. Deep-fry the opposite side for about 7 minutes. Remove from the pan and drain on a rack.
step 4:
Slice the deep-fried tofu pouch (abura-age) across into about 1.5 cm. strips.
step 5:
(Optional) This can be served in two ways. Either sprinkle the tofu with the grated ginger and pour soy sauce over it. Or, serve the grated ginger and soy sauce in a separate small dish. Dip the abura-age into the dipping sauce as you eat it.
comment:
This delicious dish has the taste of soybeans. Although it is deep-fried, it is light. It can be used in miso soup, simmered dishes, etc. If used, the ginger and soy sauce suits the deep-fried tofu pouch (abura-age) very well.