Deep-fried tofu with peanut sauce

Yield: 6 Servings

1 lb Tofu pressed      2 ea Garlic cloves chopped
1 ea Cilantro root chopped      3 ea Dried red chilies soaked & -- chopped seeded
1/2 ts Salt      3/4 c Rice vinegar
1/4 c Sugar      1/2 c Peanuts finely chopped
2 c Peanut -=OR=- vegetable oil MMMMM--------------------------GARNISH-------------------------------      2 ts Cilantro leaves chopped
2 ts Red pepper flakes

Cut the tofu into cubes 1" X 1" X 1 1/2". Set aside. Make a paste of the garlic cilantro root chili peppers & salt. Add the vinegar & mix. Dissolve the sugar in 1/4 c hot water & add it to the paste along with the peanuts. Sprinkle with cilantro leaves & red pepper flakes. Put the oil in a wok & heat until hot. Deep-fry the tofu for 5 minutes until it becomes light brown. Drain on paper towels. Place tofu on a serving plate with the peanut sauce next to it. Use the sauce as a dip. Serve either hot or at room temperature. NOTE: Apparently you can buy tofu already deep-fried. If using this product then only deep-fry it again for 1 minute. Puangkram C. Schmitz & Michael J. Worman Practical Thai Cooking