We don’t see Mr NQN’s family much. A few years ago we’d spend a lot of time with them but nowadays it’s mostly Mr NQN and his younger brother, chick magnet The Assman. They hang out and do boy things. You know sitting quietly, fixing things and having silent manly conversations. Typical boys. They are the polar opposite of what I do with my girlfriends 
A few of you have asked about the Assman and I should reiterate that the reason why he is called that is because he worked in Asset Management and he loves Seinfeld, not because he is a proctologist or a sleazy guy. He is also a vegetarian as is the rest of Mr NQN’s family. Mr NQN was the only one to start eating meat at sixteen years of age. Now Mr NQN’s mum always worries that Mr NQN doesn’t get enough tofu. My mum worries that I don’t make enough money, and Mr NQN’s mum worries that he doesn’t eat enough tofu. I chuckle at the disparity. Mr NQN’s mum perhaps thinks that we tuck into a meat fest every night (and perhaps we won’t tell her that Mr NQN became recently addicted to beef tartar and foie gras au torchon while in Montreal). So when we invited her and The Assman over I knew that there was one recipe that I just had to make for them.
Red Pepper Paste
I first saw this recipe on Lisa’s fabulous blog and she in turn got the recipe from this site. The recipe is from Joe Kim’s Flying Pig truck which drives around L.A. dispensing all sorts of taco-ey Asian fusion goodness with a French technique. As soon as I read Lisa’s review I wanted to try it.
I found gochujang at the Asian grocery store under “Red Pepper Paste” and followed the instructions. Sure the flouring and frying was messy but when I put these together I was so utterly over the moon with them I made plans for the rest of the 99 tablespoons of gochujang. This is a dish where a carnivore will not start gristling as there is so much flavour in it. The sweet, crunchiness of the nashi pear and peanuts, rich hoisin sauce, flavoursome scallions and flavour packed tofu go perfectly together. It also happens to make a truckload of this tofu filling and would easily fill a dozen tacos and then some. Don’t let any tofu prejudices put you off these. They are absolutely wonderful!
So tell me Dear Reader, do you have any food prejudices? And what does your mum worry about with you?
Crunchy Tofu Tacos
- One 14-ounce package extra-firm tofu, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons Korean chile powder or hot paprika
- 1 tablespoon Korean pepper paste (kochujang or gochujang)
- 1 tablespoon finely grated garlic
- 1 tablespoon finely grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon toasted-sesame oil
- Kosher salt
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying (I used a fantastic Gwydir Grove Chilli and Lime olive oil and I shallow fried the tofu in less oil)
- 12 corn or 5-inch flour tortillas, warmed
- Hoisin sauce, kimchi (I used iceberg lettuce as I forgot to buy kimchi), Asian pear, scallions and chopped honey-roasted peanuts (I used macadamias), for serving
Coating the tofu in sauce
1. Place the tofu on a rack lined with paper towels and drain for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of the chile powder with the pepper paste, garlic, ginger and sesame oil and season with salt. In another large bowl, whisk the cornstarch with the remaining 2 tablespoons of chile powder and 1 tablespoon of salt.
Tossing the tofu in cornflour
2. In a medium, deep skillet, heat the oil until it reaches 365°F.185C. Add the tofu to the chile sauce and stir gently to coat. Scrape the tofu into the cornstarch mixture and toss to coat. Transfer the coated tofu to a colander to tap out the excess cornstarch. Fry the tofu in one batch, stirring occasionally, until golden and crunchy, 3 to 3 1/2 minutes; maintain the heat near 360°. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the crunchy tofu to a paper towel–lined rack and sprinkle with salt. Serve the tofu right away with the tortillas, hoisin sauce, kimchi, Asian pear, scallions and peanuts.
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66 Comments | Add your own
Yum I’m definitely making this! Hmm actually I think it’s more my bf who worries about what I eat than my mum! Hahah
Ooo, this looks MARVELOUS, Lorraine! I love how you prepared the tofu.
My Mum worries that I’m safe. Always. 
I’ve a tofu-lover from way back (actually, I can’t think of any food that I don’t like!
) On the other hand, Mike doesn’t usually like tofu, but I bet I could win him over with these tacos!
A lovely filling! Healthy and flavorful. I like the idea.
Cheers,
Rosa
ooh! Might steal this for one of my 30 before 30 tofu recipes!
LOL – when I first read “The Assman”, I wondered why – so I am glad you explained. This looks delicious, and is a perfect vegetarian dish.
YUMMMY!
I might have to make this for my anti-vegetarian (meaning no way in hell we will be vegetarian) family. I love tofu and I think this will be a great intro for them!
I LOVE tofu and I seriously need to try this receipe ASAP! Thankyou so much for sharing!
Tacos are international and with tofu…wonderful crunchyyyyy droolinggg idea!!
Cheers,
Gera
This sounds wonderful – I’ll be trying it out as soon as I can gather the ingredients! Not a worry now, but my mum used to worry about my alcohol consumption, hic! xxx
My mother told me she is less embarassed by my weight now I’m a chef…I’m a size 16 not 50! yes, I could do better, but she is a size14 herself. Hmmm….
The addition of nashi pear is genius, love this.
I’m not the biggest fan of tofu. And I don’t like animal organs. Having said that, I’m willing to try anything once!
My mom worries that a) I don’t exercise (I don’t), and b) that I nag Frank too much (I do)…
Thanks for doing doing a vegetarian/vegan recipe!
well my mothers chases me around the house trying to feed me and I am 31!…I love the idea of this recipe and would like to make it using fish,chicken or prawns hmmm
Please….please tell me where in Sydney can I just buy this or similar…..it hits all my sweet spots…
Eeek! I love chili and I love tofu, so this is absolutely up my alley! Can’t wait to see your recipe for ardent tofu lovers
This recipe is really calling to me. Love the idea of making tofu more interesting. The levels of soothing tofu, spice and crunch do that awfully well. Thanks for the recipe, Lorraine… tell your mum not to worry about you… look what you can do!! Where talent goes, money is soon to follow!
Yummy recipe and the combination of hoisin sauce with Korean gochujang sounds divine. I’m a hardcore tofu fan, so no need to sell tofu to me. Will attempt to make this one too =)
Mum worries about me overworking sometimes because she forgets when I tell her I’m doing overtime or when I’m just out with friends after work.
This is going into my trusty ‘must make these’ folder! Thanks for the recipe and so you know, The Flying Pig is AWESOME! You really ought to try and get to L.A. for a day or two and get your chance for a taste
As for my mum – she’s worried about the fact I work at a job I loathe to the point of distraction. I’m a single mum so she knows I was much happier attending university and going for a few degrees – waiting for the payoff and find the job(s)I truly love. Things don’t always work out as planned and I haven’t attended for four years and what’s worse, if it had gone well, I would have obtained my Masters in Archaeology, History and Literature this past May. *le sigh* So… she worries that life and other mishaps, have blocked my true calling. They’re our mothers, what are they supposed to do?
Lorraine that looks delicious…I am going to try it and put the recipe on my blog…I get many requests for vegetarian fare, so it is always nice to post a recipe that has already been enjoyed…Thanks! Thanks for friending on FB!
Cat
I’m such a huge fan of tofu but Mr Kitty will categorically not eat it. I might be able to convince him with this recipe though!
This looks really tasty – often a bit of a challenge with vegetarian food. I really like tofu because it is so good at sucking up flavours and has such great texture.
I’m so glad you tried these, and thanks for the mention! I thought they were fantastic too. I have a little meat prejudice and don’t eat a lot of meat, but I do actually really like tofu. And, my Mom probably worries that I cook too much!
Sigh. Mothers. Now that I am one, I can understand what all the worrying was about..
Wow, I was totally intrigued when I read the title of this post. I can’t wait to try this recipe now, the fact that it’s so unusual makes it irresistable to me.
I never thought I’d see gochujang on your blog! haha! I can’t live without it and was planning a post on all the things you can do with it.
This sounds DELICIOUS. I’m not sure if I’ll ever convince the boy to eat tofu (He claims to be morally opposed to it, and was thisclose to breaking up with me when I fed it to him once as a joke) but he did manage to not complain about the silken tofu I wasn’t able to totally remove from his curry broth the other day… progress maybe?
But I’ll definitely be making this for myself!
Sounds good! I’m a vegetarian, but don’t really like tofu. This might convert me to it. It’s interesting that Mr NQN was raised vego, but lapsed. I’ve just read “The face on your plate” and after that and “Food Inc” I’m thinking now I’ll have to go vegan as well!
My Mum worries about the long hours I work.
That is hilarious that Mr. NQN’s family is made up of all vegetarians. I guess he’s the “black sheep” eater of the family?
My food prejudice is Sushi – seaweed and raw fish give me the heebie jeebies. I’ve even taught kids to make their own and still managed not to actually eat it!
My mum worries that I don’t see my shift working husband enough!
I love tofu but hubs reckons he hates it. I think this recipe might change his mind. It’s going to be made within the week. Yummmmm.
My mother doesn’t like me so she generally just bitches about me/to me, non-stop.She once cursed me for being “too efficient”. What in hell is with that??? I could use a mother who cared but alas, I do not. I have a perfect hubby for that. All I need….and this tofu ;D
Cheers.
Love the nickname, one that is good for those both teasing and from a guy’s perspective probably not too bad on the other end of it. So true & typical of the disparity between your folk’s worries too. My mother is constantly trying to get me to lay claim to all of the Co-pilot’s assets. To protect me she says…
As for tofu pushing – I’m suprised his mum pushes it as there are so many “rumours” out there that it’s not great for men. Not true of course, but pretty widely believed rumours.
I am prejudiced against parsnip and chokoes. My mother worries that I am ‘letting myself go’ if i don’t wear makeup.
ahah! When I read assman I instantly thought of that Seinfield episode!
Perhaps the next time Mr NQNs mum comes to town you could prepare her a tofu degustation! :p
Thanks for sharing, certainly is an interesting combo!!
OK am not a tofu lover (or liker) in the slightest but those do look good.
I find it so amusing about the contrasts in your mothers – then again, it’s not like you and Mr NQN are a couple you would say ‘yes, him and…her’ but it so works!
Wow these look really delicious. I love tofu. My mum worries about everything with me I think but then again that’s what mums do
haha
They look amazing!!! Will definitely have to try these. And I have to get to that “taco-ey Asian fusion goodness with a French technique” truck!!!
My mother worries that I don’t eat enough (HA!) and the persistent mould in my bathroom…
Tofu taco’s, no that’s something I didn’t see in Mexico! Yummo! I think all my mum worries about is my being terrorised in a foreign country or going down in a plane
oh this looks GREAT!!
I sure love a bit of tofu, when it’s cooked well. Sounds sooo good (hmm just remembered havn’t had dinner yet drats). My food prejudice would probably be off the top of my head offal. And my mum worries about too many things, when am I going to get married for one. =D
i wouldn’t say that i LOVE tofu, but i can certainly enjoy it from time to time. this looks like a preferable way to enjoy it.
my husband’s mum worries that he’s not getting enough fruits!
oh what a glorious recipe – I love hearing that Mr NQN’s mother worries he doesn’t eat enough tofu – I feel the same about sylvia some days – oh dear! and I love this recipe – wish I had a truck flying around with such treats in my neighbourhood
And here I was thinking that the assman had some sort of magical perfect ass… All my dreams are ruined!
I am half Asian too so my mum worries that I either don’t make enough money, or marry a man who wont make enough money, or both.
I was thinking of a nice way to use Tofu.This one sounds right up my alley. I just love how flavorful the ingredients sound. Bet it must be tasting great too!
My mum is always worried about my Iron deficiency problem. I had that for a year when I was in high school and was totally fine after that. Fast forward 8 years she still thinks I am not getting enough iron and I look pale to her
She thinks it is because she doesn’t get to feed me.
I know I will love the texture, It is an awesome taco!
I love this tofu recipe, hooray for fusion cuisine!
What a great way to spice up tofu – I love it. They have got a few of those food trucks in London but not nearly as many as the States – are there any in Sydney?
Even though Ben is the Pond tofu lover, I would totally eat these tacos in a heartbeat.
I have to admit, I’m prejudiced against tofu…and rice. I am so not Asian. But I would LOVE your crunchy tofu tacos! And YAY! You finally cooked with gochujang! You’ll need tons more recipes to use that big container, though! Tee hee!
For some reason I had this thing against ‘exotic’ mushrooms but then I add an awesome mixed mushroom bruschetta at a cafe in Melbourne and couldn’t believe I’d be limiting myself to banal mushrooms!
As for my mum, she had a heart attack when I threw in my career in PR to become an apprentice chef (she thought I was throwing away my uni degree!) Now I’m a SAHM but she does still ask when am I going to go back to PR…
I can eat tofu, although not my first choice, but this I’m trying because you made it sound good. But, no no no to kimchi. Can’t do it and glad you skipped it. Montreal? When did you squeeze that in? hehe
Looks tasty – perhaps it will convince me there is more potential in tofu than just agadashi-ing (??) it! And both the brilliance of a vehicle called the Flying Pig Truck, and the eminently-sensible-after-the-event explanation of the Assman’s name brought a big grin
I love tofu, so does my mum, she’s going through a tofu phase at the moment and if she’s too lazy she’ll just eat it straight.
Besides worrying about everything i do, in terms of food it would have to water, as if she’s some water pushing drug dealer.
Now these look really interesting! I actually really like tofu, it’s convincing the other half that can be hard work.
What a brilliant recipe. The combination of flavours and textures just sounds perfect. Hard to stop at 5 I would imagine
This looks awesome! I would love to make it.
Ha, that’s funny about your husband’s mother. I usually worry that I’m eating too much tofu!
These sound so yummy, though!
I thought Assman was called that cause he’s a bit of a hottie with a cute ‘ass’!!!Well there goes my enjoyable visual!! BTW the tofu taco idea is great, will have to try it out on the family, nice alternative to mince, which I absolutely refuse to eat, it even smells bad when you cook it. But I love tofu it’s gorgeous stuff.
I eat seafood but no other meat and LOVE tofu because, among other reasons, I am Chinese. These look ah-mazing and I think you dearly for posting it, Lorraine.
YUM YUM!! It looks like the tofu banh mi I just had this weekend… minus the korean chilli paste.
Gochujang is so tasty, I’m sure you won’t have any problems deciding what to do with the other 99 tablespoons!
I will definitely have to try this recipe. Even though I am vegetarian I can’t stand tofu. The texture, the taste….not once have I enjoyed it in a dish. However, knowing it’s benefits, particularly from a protein point of view, I have been keen to find a way to enjoy it so I can incorporate it into my diet, and if I can find a recipe that my boyfriend will even like all the better.
Thanks for the recipe
Love tofu and can’t wait to try this recipe.
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