Lemon-Pepper Fried "Chicken" Tenders
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 8 servings
- Calories
- 726
- Total Fat
- 55
- Saturated Fat
- 5
- Carbohydrates
- 39
- Dietary Fiber
- 5
- Sugar
- 2
- Protein
- 24
- Cholesterol
- 3
- Sodium
- 812
- Total: 2 hr 30 min (includes drying and soaking time)
- Active: 55 min
Ingredients
Lemon-Pepper "Chicken":
Two 14-ounce packages firm tofu
3 cups “no chicken” broth (or broth made with no chicken base)
Peanut or canola oil, for frying
1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup lemon-pepper seasoning, plus more for sprinkling
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Dairy-Free Ranch Dip:
1 cup vegan mayonnaise
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon dried dill
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Special equipment:
a deep-fry thermometer- For the lemon-pepper "chicken": Place the tofu on a layer of paper towels on a cutting board. Top with more paper towels. Place a pot over the top and fill with heavy cans to press the excess liquid from the tofu. Let stand for 30 minutes.
- Cut the tofu into strips. Soak the strips in the broth in a bowl for 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, make the ranch dip: Stir together the mayonnaise, almond milk, parsley, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder and dill in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- For the lemon-pepper "chicken": Pour enough oil to reach halfway up the sides of a cast-iron skillet. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a wire rack.
- Make the “buttermilk” by stirring together the almond milk and vinegar in a shallow dish. Let stand, whisking occasionally, for 10 minutes to develop a tangy flavor. Combine the flour, cornstarch, lemon-pepper seasoning and salt and pepper to taste in a separate shallow dish.
- Dip the tofu strips in the “buttermilk,” then dredge in the flour mixture. Fry, in batches, turning occasionally, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain on a wire rack and sprinkle with additional lemon-pepper seasoning while still hot. Serve hot with the ranch dip.