Silken Tofu with Peanut Chile Crisp

Custard-soft silken tofu becomes a weeknight stunner when smothered in a quick homemade chile crisp, creating an irresistible interplay of disparate textures. Toasted peanuts add crunch, while the unexpected addition of panko creates delicate crispness in every bite. The chile crisp comes together quickly using an "oil sizzle" technique used in Chinese cooking, in which hot oil is poured over aromatics -- here, cinnamon, star anise, chile flakes and garlic -- to bloom their potent flavors in seconds. Soy sauce, rice vinegar and agave nectar round things out with salty-savory, tangy and lightly sweet notes. Serve as a starter with spoons for scooping, or spoon over hot rice for a satisfying meal that contrasts both textures and temperatures.