Work top to bottom — prep ahead while timers run
Gather everything first, then follow the steps
Protein· 1
- 120 g firm tofu (1 large block, halved into triangles)120g
Vegetables· 2
- 40 g bean sprouts (rinsed, drained)40g
- 50 g cucumber (thin sticks)50g
Sauces· 2
- 15 g natural peanut butter (1 tbsp)15g
- 6 g chili paste (cili boh, 1 tsp)6g
Spices· 2
- 2 g sugar (a pinch)(staple)2g
- pinch of salt(staple)1g
Fats & oils· 1
- 3 g cooking oil (thin brush)(staple)3g
- 12 min · hands-free
Press the tofu dry with paper towels, cut into triangles, brush thinly with oil, sprinkle a little salt, and air-fry at 200 °C for 12 min until golden.
Why? The original drops the whole block into hot oil, which soaks up fat and easily pushes a serving past 300 kcal. Air-frying crisps the shell using the tofu's own moisture with almost no added oil.Tip: The drier you press it, the crispier the shell — don't skip this.
12:00Next up:While the tofu roasts, whisk the peanut butter, chili paste, sugar and 2 tbsp warm water in a small bowl into a smooth drizzling sauce.
While the tofu roasts, whisk the peanut butter, chili paste, sugar and 2 tbsp warm water in a small bowl into a smooth drizzling sauce.
Why? Mixing your own sauce lets you control the portion precisely — one tablespoon of peanut butter is plenty of richness, while the stall's heavy ladle is usually the real calorie culprit.Tip: If the sauce is too thick, add water a little at a time until it ribbons off the spoon.
Next up:Slit a pocket along the long edge of each tofu triangle, stuff with bean sprouts and cucumber sticks, plate, and drizzle over the peanut-chili sauce.
Slit a pocket along the long edge of each tofu triangle, stuff with bean sprouts and cucumber sticks, plate, and drizzle over the peanut-chili sauce.
Why? Adding the raw veg last, off the heat, keeps the bean sprouts crunchy and the cucumber juicy — it adds fibre and freshness that fill you up without adding calories.Tip: Eat while the tofu is still hot — crisp shell, soft centre and cool veg is the best contrast.