Basic Vegetarian (Vegan) Tofu Recipe: Fried Tofu

Versatile Fried Tofu, Tofu Tips, How To Cook Tasty Tofu

Serves 4 - 6:

Fried tofu is a versatile vegetarian and vegan cooking staple, simple, quick, and satisfying. It goes in lots of quick and easy one dish vegetarian meals, like tofu, pasta and veggies, or tofu rice pilaf, both of which we eat often at our house.

Kids love fried tofu, all by itself, and will reliably eat it, preferably dipped in ketchup (buy organic!). Even non-vegetarian kids will eat it. I guess it reminds them of fries.

Fried Tofu Ingredients:

• 1 lb firm tofu, drained
• Braggs liquid aminos (preferred), or soy sauce
• 2 - 3 Tbsp olive oil, or other cooking oil
• Optional: paprika, cumin, ginger, cayenne
• Optional: nutritional yeast

Directions

1. Slice the tofu in 1/2 X 1" pieces, or in 1/2 inch slabs (for sandwiches or tofu 'steaks' - there must be a better word!)
2. Place in a bowl, sprinkle with braggs, and shake or stir
3. Marinate for a few minutes to an hour as you like
4. Optional: Add a bit of paprika, cumin, ginger, pinch cayenne to the braggs
5. Optional: After marinating in Braggs, coat with nutritional yeast before frying.
6. Heat the oil on medium/high in a heavy non stick frying pan or well cured cast iron pan
7. Add the tofu, fry 5 minutes or so on each side until brown and crispy, turning with a spatula (that's the fun part!)
8. To speed things up, fry the tofu in 1/2 inch slabs, which you can then cut up as needed

What To Do With Your Fried Tofu

• Serve with pasta and steamed veggies, with a little tomato sauce
• Serve with rice or quinoa and steamed veggies
• Add to a salad for a meal in a bowl
• Combine with sauteed veggies and salsa in a wrap
• Cut in bite size chunks, and add to a pilaf, or veggie stew
• Serve on a bun with fixin's and fries
• Refrigerate in a covered container for sandwiches