tofu – The Vegan Love Project

Simple “Tastes Like Chicken” Tofu Slices

This taste is SO my childhood!!! My mother used to make roasted chicken wings with this salt and it was one of my favorite meals. Hot or cold, this shit tastes like chicken!!! Hot, it has an awesome, satisfying, crunch…cold, the texture gets even more toothsome. . I imagine coarsely chopping it into small pieces and making an amazing “chicken“ salad from the cold pieces- if they even make it to the fridge in the first place….not kidding…amazing.

Simple “Tastes Like Chicken” Tofu Slices

1 Pound tofu, thinly sliced in rectangles, about ¼” thick

2-4T Olive oil

Jane’s Mixed Up Krazy Salt to taste

1T nutritional yeast

—

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees.

In a roasting pan or dish, drizzle about 3T of olive oil on the bottom of the pan.

Place a slice down in the oil, sprinkle the herbed salt on the side facing up, then flip it over and salt the other side. Continue to do this until all of the tofu is covered in both oil and salt. Sprinkle nutritional yeast over the top of all of the slices.

Roast in the oven/ convection oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

This tofu is absolutely delicious, hot OR cold.

THIS SHIT TASTES LIKE CHICKEN

Simple Amazing Roasted Tofu Cubes

Simple Amazing Roasted Tofu Cubes

I can not express to you how much you should make these tofu cubes…..they are SO easy and SO satisfying. You can literally toss them with any spice mix and will come out incredible. I have not had chicken in over 25 years, but if I were to need to fill that craving, this would be it. My mom used to make chicken wings using Krazy Mixed Up Salt and that’s what these remind me of. I’m gonna have to buy the salt and actually try using it! If you can save some to eat cold try OR double the recipe so you can be sure not to eat them all straight out of the oven. Don’t overcrowd the baking dish so the tofu can take on a crisped edge. So amazing for a quick protein fix! It literally takes 2 minutes to get into the oven., no fussing at all, no stirring no nothing…Feel free to change up the spices but for serious….MAKE THEM NOW.

1 Pound tofu, drained, rinsed and pressed

2-4T Olive oil- (more oil more crunch)

1/2t smoked chipotle powder

1/2t pink salt or smoked sea salt

Fresh cracked black pepper

1T nutritional yeast

—

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees.

In a roasting pan or dish, drizzle about 2T of olive oil on the bottom of the pan.

After pressing the tofu, cut it into cubes, about 1” in size.

Place the cubes in the pan, then drizzle with the remaining oil. Sprinkle with the nutritional yeast, salt, pepper and chipotle powder.

Roast in the oven/ convection oven for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

This tofu is absolutely delicious, hot OR cold.

Baked Tofu Marinara Steaks

Baked Tofu Marinara Steaks

1-Pound tofu, rinsed, pressed, and drained- cut into thick, even slices

1c prepared Marinara (see recipe)

1T olive oil

1T shoyu or Tamari

2T maple syrup OR coconut sugar

Pink salt and pepper to taste

Pinch cayenne pepper *optional

2T nutritional yeast

—

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

In a small bowl, mix all of the ingredients except the tofu.

In a shallow baking dish, spoon most of the marinara mixture over the bottom of the dish. In one layer, place the tofu on top of the sauce, then spoon the remaining sauce over the tofu. I turn the tofu over in the pan several times to get a good marinara covering prior to baking. Then spoon some over the top.

Top with additional nutritional yeast or Vegan cheese your choice.

Bake for 45 minutes.

Serve hot or cold. Delicious with gluten free pasta, Sprouted brown rice or quinoa.

Pan Seared Ginger Tofu

Delicious hot or cold, you can make thick steak slices, cubes or triangles.

Pan Seared Ginger Tofu

1# of tofu, cut in thicker slices lengthwise

1 clove garlic, smashed and minced

3T olive oil

1t fresh hot pepper *opt

2” fresh ginger

1T tamari

Salt and pepper to taste

In a hot sauté pan, add the oil and the garlic and sauté until just golden. Add the hot pepper and the tofu and pan fry until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Flip to brown the other side. Salt the tofu. Add in the ginger. When both sides are golden, add in the tamari and let it deglaze the pan some, flip after about a minute to the other side to get the same darkened color on the other side. Serve immediately or it is fantastic cold.

Serve as part of a simple meal of a grain like rice, and greens like kale and a sauce of your choosing. I love Sriracha sauce or homemade Hot Sauce.

You can vary the taste by pre-marinating the tofu in flavors of your choosing.

Ie; curry, and or other spices.

Tofu Ricotta Cheese Filling

Red Pepper Tofu Ricotta Cheese Filling

This stuff is C R A Z Y G O O D.…..I am planning on adding fresh steamed broccoli to this for my mini lasagna!!! I will post the entire recipe when it’s made! Perfect for stuffing pasta shells or manicotti, making mini lasagna roll ups or a full on plate of lasagna. The color of the peppers make this exceptionally beautiful and the cherry bomb pepper adds a hint of spice without overwhelming the palate.

Red Pepper Tofu Ricotta Cheese Filling

1/2 Pound tofu- blanched

1 small red pepper, seeded

1small cherry bomb pepper, de-stemmed

1 clove garlic, smashed, minced

3T extra virgin olive oil

1 heaping T mellow white miso

1/4c nutritional yeast

2t brown rice vinegar

1t ume vinegar

1 heaping T sesame tahini

1c cooked veggies like spinach, broccoli, or kale-steamed and pressed or drained well (all water out) OR sautéed with garlic and 1t olive oil *optional

1/2c vegan mozzarella or favorite vegan cheese (or a blend)

1/2t black pepper

In a bowl, crumble or smash the tofu with a fork or fingers with all of the other ingredients. Add the vegan cheese and the chopped steamed / cooked veggies. Mix well, taste and adjust seasonings.

Simple Lemon Pepper Baked Tofu

This is a great way to serve tofu to the skeptic. Hot, it is best served with a side of white basmati rice and a simple salad. Cold, it is great in a sandwich or atop a bed of baby greens with a simple gorgeous vinaigrette. This is delicious both hot and cold, today I made it in cubes to have quick bite sized protein snacks on hand in the fridge for a busy weekend.

Lemon Pepper Baked Tofu

Wheat-free, Gluten-free

16oz tofu, (one package) – drained and pressed, sliced, cubed or cut into triangles

Juice of 2 lemons (1/4c)

1t ground black pepper- fresh is best

1 clove garlic, smashed and minced

Pinch to 1/4t chipotle powder

3T Extra Virgin Olive oil

2T nutritional yeast

1t pink salt or to taste

—

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

In a bowl, mix the oil, lemon juice, pepper, and salt.

Add the tofu and toss until well coated. Pour into a baking dish.

Sprinkle with the nutritional yeast.

Bake for 35 minutes or until golden.

Tofu Quinoa Broccoli Scramble

An incredible source of vegan protein, the combo of quinoa and tofu in a quick scramble makes it fast, easy, and satisfying. Perfect for after a bog workout- also the turmeric promotes healing and recovery- it is also an anti-inflammatory food.

Tofu Quinoa Broccoli Scramble

1/2 package (7.5 oz) firm tofu, crumbled

2T coconut oil

1c steamed quinoa

2c steamed or sautéed broccoli, small dice, stems and florets (you can quickly sauté the broccoli prior to the scramble in the same pan and remove and add later)

½ medium onion, small dice

1/4c nutritional yeast- more if desired!

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2t ground turmeric

1/2t salt

1/4t black pepper

—

1T prepared arugala or basil pesto

In a heated skillet or fry pan over medium high heat, heat up the oil and add the onion, garlic, turmeric, salt, black pepper and sauté until aromatic and golden.

Add the crumbled tofu and sauté over medium heat, stirring frequently for 2-3 minutes, coating the tofu with the onion mixture.

Add the quinoa and work the mixture with a wooden spoon to incorporate it all.

Mix in the diced broccoli just until heated through then add the pesto. Sprinkle in the nutritional yeast and mix until well incorporated.

Serve immediately with toast or in a breakfast tofu burrito, sprinkled with additional nutritional yeast.

I like mine with fermented hot sauce!!

Simple Tofu Scramble

Super simple after an intense Crossfit workout: 300 double unders, 10 Cleans (#83 pounds), 50 front squats (#83 pounds), and 60 tricep dips….WOOOF! I finished and about 45 minutes after I WAS HUNGRY!!! I usually add lots of veggies into my scramble but today I was just feeling SIMPLE and it was SO delicious….the miso lends a “cheesiness” that was just yummy. I ate my greens on the side and had whole grain toast with coconut oil spread on top, and a side of my home made Kombucha and I did not want for anything…..FRICKEN YUM.

Simple Tofu Scramble

1 package (15oz) firm tofu, crumbled

2t xvo

1T coconut oil

½ medium onion, small diced

1/4c nutritional yeast- more if desired!

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2t ground turmeric

1/2t salt

1/4t black pepper

—

2t miso

2T water- more if needed

Mix the miso paste with the water and set aside.

In a heated skillet or fry pan over medium high heat, heat up the oil and add the onion, garlic, turmeric, salt, black pepper and sauté until aromatic and golden.

Add the crumbled tofu and sauté over medium heat, stirring frequently for 2-3 minutes, coating the tofu with the onion mixture. Cover the pan and steam for about 2-3 minutes.

Remove the lid and mix the miso paste into the scramble. Sprinkle in the nutritional yeast and mix until well incorporated.

Serve immediately with toast or in a breakfast tofu burrito, sprinkled with additional nutritional yeast.

Sundried Tomato & Scallion Tofu Spread (Surfer’s Spread)

I was at a local co-op here they have a spread called “Surfer Spread”. It. is. YUMMY. I was determined to replicate it, I have a ton of RAW unsulfered sun-dried tomatoes, and picked up some local fresh scallions at the Farm Stand down the road and VOILA….It took me two times to get it. I have to say, mine tastes a little bit more badass. Just sayin. Don’t over process the tofu or else you will have more of a paste than you might like but experiment with the consistency you prefer!

Sundried Tomato & Scallion Tofu Spread

¼ sundried tomatoes- rehydrated

1 pound tofu, blanched and drained well

3T Extra Virgin Olive oil

1 small bunch of scallions, trimmed and coarsely chopped

1/4c nutritional yeast

2 cloves garlic

2T shoyu or tamari

1t ume vinegar

salt & pepper to taste

In a food processer, mince the scallions and then remove to a medium size bowl.

In the same work bowl, add the sun dried tomatoes and the oil and process until desired size, I like mine finely minced. Remove 2/3rd of the mix to the scallion bowl. Add the tofu in the work bowl with the garlic, shoyu, ume, and nutritional yeast and process until smooth. Remove to the scallion tomato mix and mix until well incorporated. Season with the salt and pepper, to taste.Place in the refrigerator to chill. (SO much better cold- it firms up as well)Serve with crusty bread (FRICKEN YUM), as a sandwich filler, or as a vegetable dip.

SO YUM!