Firm tofu is pan fried until a crispy crust has been formed, then tossed in a savoury sweet and garlicky sesame sauce. Sure to turn any non tofu lover, into a fan!
Growing up, my dad was very much a meat and potatoes fan. We had meat with mostly every dinner, except for Friday's during lent, when we would have soup, or fish. I on the other hand have never been a huge fan of meat. While I do enjoy chicken and fish, I seldomly make pork and beef. So I've always been searching for ways to increase my iron intake, without eating meat.
Four years ago, I was hired on part time, in the kitchen at a local Natural Food's Market. Being a Mom, I've always felt stuck between feeding my kids healthy foods and letting them enjoy life through food. I grew up in a time when drinking soda was all the rage and every child had snacks loaded with sugar in their lunches. It was common for us to have dessert after every meal and mom was always baking up a sweet treat for the family. As times have changed, so has thoughts on healthy eating. So I was excited to start working in an environment where I could learn more about nutrition and eating more naturally.
This was also where I was introduced to tofu. We made a few salads, for our salad bar, that used tofu. From the moment I tried it, I loved it. The more I worked with it, the more I loved finding new ways to use it. Over the years, as I became kitchen supervisor, we started hiring more people who led Vegan lifestyles. This gave me the chance to learn more about meat free cooking and eating and I also learned a few tips when it came to cooking with tofu. In the last several months, I decided to introduce my family to tofu. My first attempt, Asian Tofu, was met with great applause by my son and SO, but my daughter was not a fan of the texture of the tofu. So this time I made sure to try and create a flavour packed tofu dish. I was pleasantly surprised when she said that she would be happy if I made this dish again.
I've come to love cooking with tofu, as it is literally a blank slate. It is a great source of protein and low in fat. The tender tofu soaks up so much flavour, which makes it such a versatile ingredient in Vegan diets.
Tips while cooking with Tofu
- Use the type of tofu best suited for the dish you are making. Soft tofu for scrambles and firm tofu for dishes that are fried or baked.
- Drain and press the tofu. Tofu comes packed in water. Make sure to press all the extra liquid out before using.
- If frying, coat the tofu with cornstarch. This will ensure a crispy crust forms on the outside of the tofu.
- Don't touch the tofu! Let is sit in the hot pan for 3-5 minutes before turning, so it can sear up nicely. Again this will ensure a nice crispy outer crust.
- cutting board
- sharp knife
- rasp/zester
- heavy bottomed skillet
- tongs
- mixing bowl
- small bowl
- whisk
- spatula
- measuring cups and spoons
Ive learned to eat tofu after becoming plantbased, I’ll try this recipe of yours :) thank you
ReplyDeleteYes it is a delicious meat alternative!
DeleteThis looks delish! We love tofu and can't wait to try this.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it, should you try it!
DeleteThis looks so good! I love tofu but the main recipe I make is garlic and eggplant stir fry. I'm totally going to try this. I follow the keto diet so I'll have to leave out the maple syrup. I'm not sure how it will taste without it.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you could substitute the maple syrup for stevia, or any other keto sweetener with a similar result :)
DeleteThis was super tasty!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for trying my recipe!
DeleteSounds absolutely delicious. I'm always looking for new tasty and quick plant based recipes like this one.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteThanks for the helpful tips! So flavourful and I love a crispy texture.
ReplyDeleteyummy!! i've been on a tofu run lately so this would be on rotation!
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious, Cindy! I have cooked with tofu before and liked it but I've always been a bit nervous of it. I definitely want to give this recipe a try. I enjoyed your tips on how to cook with tofu too - so helpful! Thank you for sharing, and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party Community. I hope you are having a good weekend. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't a fan of tofu when I first tried it, but over time, I have come to like it. Loved your recipe, especially the crispy crust of the tofu! Thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteI have never seen tofu look so delicious!!! Pinning for later :)
ReplyDelete