Fennel Spice Barbecued Tofu

This recipe features some potent ingredients. The pungent aroma while cooking and the ensuing flavours will make this a regular on a summer barbecue. It doesn't take a lot of preparation, so it can be done on short notice also.

Serve with rice and a steamed vegetable such as carrot or broccoli.

Ingredients:

Tofu

1 block (354 g.) extra-firm tofu
2 cups vegetable stock
Oil for frying

Spice Mixture
2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
2 tsps black peppercorns
4 tsps fennel seeds
1 tsp coriander seeds
2 tsps dried thyme
2 tsps grated lemon peel
Dash of Salt

Drain the tofu, and squeeze to remove water. Slice into slabs about 1 cm. thick. Place tofu in medium size saucepan and cover with vegetable stock. Simmer for 20 minutes (this allows the stock to be absorbed by the tofu). If serving with rice, you can begin cooking it now.

Grind black peppercorns, fennel seeds, coriander seeds and thyme. Mix in garlic, lemon peel and salt.

Remove tofu from saucepan and let cool for a couple of minutes. Spread spice mixture thinly on one side of each slice of tofu. In a fry pan, heat a tbsp of oil. Fry tofu slices, spice side down for 4 or 5 minutes. Turn over and fry other side.