Remove your tofu from the packet and slice it lengthways down the middle. Put down some paper towel (I normally do a folded couple of layers on the bottom and one on the top) and lay the tofu on top. It should take less time to drain now that it's halved. Lay the next piece of paper towel on top, and place something heavy on top of that. I use a big saucepan with cans in it. Allow this to drain for 30 odd minutes, remove the paper, and repeat. Once the tofu is dry, take the paper off and cut the tofu into bite sized chunks on a dry board.
To make the salad, mix the lime juice, sea salt and sugar in a large bowl, and add in the remaining ingredients. I like to do this before cooking the tofu to allow some of the firmer veg to soften with the lime juice.
Mix together the cornflour, sea salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix and add the tofu chunks, tossing them evenly to coat. Gently shake individual pieces of tofu off and transfer them to a plate. Mix the vodka and water into the flour and salt mixture that is leftover, and stir thoroughly to combine. Sometimes a whisk helps with cornflour.
Heat a saucepan over a high heat with a high smoke point oil. Peanut oil is my preference.
Throw the tofu pieces back into the wet vodka flour mixture, gently and thoroughly coating each piece in the batter. Transfer each piece (I use my hands, it makes it easier to coat and transfer) gently into the hot oil. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan - batch cooking is your best m8 in the search for crispiness. I cook about 8 pieces at a time, but that will depend on your pan.
Adjusting the heat as you go, turn the tofu as you start the see the sides going golden at the bottom. This won't take long. I like to create a system where I turn them all the same way so I don't miss a side. It makes me feel very organised and very enamoured with tofu. Make sure all 4 sides of the tofu are cooked, before transferring them to a paper towel to blot dry.