Tofu cubes make a fantastic meat substitute when marinated, coated with seasoning, and fried or deep-fried.  Below is a recipe that we modified from The Southern Vegetarian Cookbook: 100 Down-Home Recipes for the Modern Table.  It’s a great base most any chicken-based stir fry or wrap.  It’s also tasty enough to eat on its own.  Soon after cooking, there are always several that seem to mysteriously disappear into my mouth.

Ingredients:

• 2 blocks of extra firm tofu, cubed
• 3/4 c all purpose flour
• 1 c cooking oil
• 1/4 c butter (optional)
• 2 Knorr vegetable bullion cubes
• 1½ c water

Seasoning (can be modified for taste):

• 1 t salt
• 1 t black pepper
• ½ t onion powder
• ½ t garlic powder
• ½ t cayenne
• 1 t paprika

Instructions:

Boil the water.  Dissolve the bullion cubes into the boiling water in a large bowl.  Add the cubed tofu to the bowl, ensuring that each cube is fully covered in the marinade.  Marinade in the refrigerator overnight.

Drain the marinated tofu cubes.  Pat the cubes with a paper towel to remove excess water.  Sprinkle the Seasonings ingredients to the bowl, gently tossing the tofu to evenly coat.

Sprinkle the flour into the bowl, continuing to gently toss to evenly coat the tofu.

Heat the cooking oil and optional butter in a medium-sized sauce pan on medium high heat or a deep-fryer.  Add the coated tofu into the pan/fryer ensuring that each cube is fully covered in oil.  You may need to do multiple batches for even coating.  Deep fry for 4 minutes.

Remove the deep-fried tofu with a slotted spoon.  Cover with sauce, or use as a chicken substitute in another recipe.