Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich

Description

Ingredients

• SERVES 4 • TOTAL TIME 10 HR 30 MIN
• Kosher salt
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 clove garlic, grated
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 4 buns
• 4 leaves green leaf lettuce

Instructions

1. Tofu goes through a magical transformation once frozen and thawed: A chicken-like texture emerges, perfect for this popular fast-food dupe.
2. 2 (14-oz.) blocks extra-firm tofu, excess liquid drained
3. ¼ c.
4. Dijon mustard
5. bread-and-butter pickle brine
6. hot sauce, plus more for serving
7. 2 tbsp.
8. apple cider vinegar
9. 1 c.
10. all-purpose flour
11. ½ c.
12. finely ground cornmeal
13. 1 tbsp.
14. cornstarch
15. 2 tsp.
16. chili powder
17. 1½ tsp.
18. cayenne pepper
19. 1 tsp.
20. onion powder
21. ½ tsp.
22. garlic powder
23. baking powder
24. lemon juice
25. vegan mayonnaise
26. Prep tofu: In a large container, arrange tofu in a single layer.
27. Cover with plastic or a lid, and freeze until solid, at least 5 hours.
28. Remove frozen tofu from freezer and let thaw completely on counter, 4 hours, or overnight in refrigerator.
29. Drain excess water.
30. On a rimmed baking sheet lined with several sheets of paper towels, arrange thawed tofu in a single layer.
31. Top with more paper towels and another rimmed baking sheet.
32. Weight baking sheet with a few cookbooks or cans of food.
33. Let drain at least 1 hour or up to overnight in refrigerator,
34. Once tofu is drained, make sandwich: In a shallow bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, pickle brine, hot sauce, and vinegar.
35. In another shallow bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, cornstarch, chili powder, cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder, baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt.
36. Cut each piece of drained tofu crosswise into 2 planks to make 4 planks total.
37. Working with one plank at a time, coat tofu in flour mixture, then dip in Dijon-brine mixture.
38. Coat in flour mixture again, then dip in Dijon-brine mixture and transfer to a plate.
39. Repeat with remaining tofu.
40. In a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, heat ½" oil until it just starts to shimmer.
41. Reduce heat to medium and fry tofu in one batch, flipping once, until golden on both sides, 5 minutes per side.
42. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
43. Make garlic mayo: In a small bowl, whisk together garlic, lemon juice, and vegan mayonnaise.
44. Season with salt and pepper.
45. Spread garlic mayo on bottom of each bun and top with lettuce, fried tofu, and a small handful of pickles.
46. Sandwich with top bun and serve.
47. —LAURA REGE