Tofu Buffalo Wings

Derived from Robbie Rice's "Hooter's Buffalo Wings". I've been a vegetarian since my early teens, but to this day I still miss BBQ chicken and wings. Well, no longer!

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 4
• Yields: 4 4 oz. servings

Ingredients

• 12  ounces extra firm tofu
• 1  tablespoon  hot sauce (or to taste)
• 1⁄2 cup barbecue sauce
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1  cup flour
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne
• 1⁄2 teaspoon paprika
• 4  tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1. Drain the tofu, and then remove excess moisture by cutting it in half lengthwise and microwaving on high, uncovered, for two minutes. Gently squeeze out and wipe off excess moisture, then throw tofu in the freezer for one or two hours before removing to thaw in the fridge -- this will give the tofu a slightly heavier texture.
2. Cut tofu into bite-sized pieces and place in a lidded, flat-bottomed dish to marinade. Combine hot sauce, barbecue sauce, black pepper, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Pour half this mixture over the tofu; reserve the other half for later.
3. Let tofu sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Drain any excess marinade from tofu into reserved bowl of sauce. Combine flour, salt, cayenne and paprika in a bowl. Coat tofu with flour mixture.
4. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large frying pan. Fry tofu (in batches, if need be) until all sides are golden brown and oil has cooked out. Add remaining sauce mixture to pan, stirring until tofu is well-coated. Serve with ranch or bleu cheese dressing for dipping.