• Press and cut the tofu: press the tofu to remove excess water. Cut it into cubes or thick slices.
• Coat with spices: in a bowl, mix the tofu pieces with the lime zest and 1 tablespoon of crushed black pepper. Make sure each piece is evenly coated.
• Cornstarch coating: add the cornstarch to the spiced tofu. Gently mix to coat all pieces evenly, which will give a crispy texture when cooked.
• Cook the tofu: heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry the tofu pieces, turning regularly, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides.
• Prepare and add the sauce: in a bowl, mix the tamari, lime juice, rice vinegar, maple syrup, and, if desired, the additional 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Reduce the heat in the pan. Pour the sauce over the crispy tofu and quickly stir to coat. Let it cook for a few seconds, making sure the sauce doesn’t thicken too much.

Serving suggestions:

• Jasmine or basmati rice
• Stir-fried vegetables (broccoli, snow peas, carrots)
• Rice noodles stir-fried with vegetables