Tag Archives: tofu

Skillet Lasagna

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If you love the flavors of lasagna but don’t have the time or patience to assemble it, try skillet lasagna! The whole recipe is made in one pan in about 40 minutes. The tofu ricotta recipe is from Minimalist Baker. If you do not need this recipe to be vegan or dairy-free, you can replace the tofu ricotta (and steps to make it) with regular ricotta cheese. If you do need the recipe to be vegan, be sure to use pasta without egg (or other dairy products) rather than egg noodles. Fusilli is the closest shape to egg noodles. Substitute or add other veggies if you’d like, such as kale, roasted eggplant, or tomatoes.

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Skillet Lasagna

Easy, nutritious, filling, and the flavors of lasagna but made in one pan! Vegetarian and can easily be made vegan.

Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Keyword dairy-free, dinner, easy, entree, mushrooms, one pan, pasta, vegan, vegetables, vegetarian, zucchini
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 12 ounce container extra firm tofu drained
  • juice of 2 lemons
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups mushrooms, sliced
  • 6 ounces egg noodles (or fusilli to make vegan) 3 cups dry
  • 1 jar marinara sauce (about 28 ounces)
  • 2 zucchini, chopped into 1/2 inch chunks about 2 cups
  • 1 cup baby spinach

Instructions

  1. To make tofu ricotta: In a food processor, puree tofu, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons olive oil, nutritional yeast, oregano, salt and pepper. Pulse basil until it is distributed but not completely pureed. Set aside.

  2. In a large skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium high heat. Add onions and cook until they begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds. Add mushrooms and cook until they begin to cook down, about 3 minutes.

  3. Add marinara sauce, pasta, zucchini, spinach, and 1cup water. Stir together, then top with dollops of tofu ricotta. Cover, reducing heat to a simmer, until noodles are cooked, about 10 minutes. For whole wheat noodles, add an extra ½ cup water and 4-5minutes cooking time, or until noodles are al dente or cooked to your liking.

With spiralized zucchini and dairy-free mozzarella shreds
With dairy-free mozzarella shreds

Korean Soft Tofu Stew

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This recipe is by no means authentic, but it is a fairly easy, plant-based version that you can make at home without any special equipment.

Korean soft tofu stew, soondubu jigae, is a flavorful, thick, spicy, tangy and hearty bowl of deliciousness. I highly encourage you to try a more authentic version at a Korean restaurant if you have the opportunity. It is typically served bubbling hot in a a special pot in which it was cooked, alongside rice and several banchan, or side dishes. It may also contain seafood or meat.

This recipe does use a few ingredients that you may not find at your usual supermarket – kimchi, gochugaru (chili flakes), and kombu (seaweed). You can likely find these ingredients at an Asian market. You can also omit the kimchi, or skip the step of making the broth with the kombu and use vegetable broth instead, although this helps give it a rich, savory, seafood-like taste. However, the chili flakes really make the recipe, so don’t skip them!

Kimchi is a Korean staple made of fermented vegetables, often cabbage, but can be made with a variety of vegetables. Fermented foods like kimchi often have nutrients that are more bioavailable, reduced “anti-nutrients,” and contain beneficial microorganisms that may improve gut health. A few recent studies on kimchi suggested that it may reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes, but you may not want to overdo it on pickled foods in general – they can contain a lot of salt and byproducts that may have adverse health effects.

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Korean Soft Tofu Stew

This recipe is not authentic soft tofu stew, but it is a vegetarian/vegan version that can be made without any special equipment. I highly encourage you to try a more authentic version at a Korean restaurant if you have the opportunity!

Course Main Course, Soup
Cuisine Korean
Keyword dairy-free, gluten-free, Korean, soup, stew, tofu, vegan, vegetarian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 5 cups water
  • 2 pieces kombu
  • 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 ounces oyster mushrooms, stems trimmed and sliced
  • 1 cup kimchi sometimes contains fish sauce, check the label if you need it to be vegetarian
  • 3 tablespoons Korean chili flakes (gochugaru)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 12-16 ounce package silken tofu, drained
  • 2 stalks green onion, diagonally sliced

Instructions

  1. Make the broth: Separate the stems from the shiitake mushrooms and put mushrooms and stems in a saucepan, along with 5 cups of water and kombu. You can also add the stems from the oyster mushrooms. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 25 minutes. Strain the broth, keeping the broth and the vegetables. Set broth aside. Discard kombu and mushroom stems, and slice mushrooms and set aside.

  2. In a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add onions, stirring occasionally, and cook until translucent and beginning to brown. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add oyster mushrooms and cook until softened.

  3. Add broth, reserved shiitake mushrooms, kimchi, chili flakes, sesame oil, and salt. Bring to a simmer.

  4. Add tofu in large chunks. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.

  5. Divide stew into 4 bowls. Top with green onion and serve.

Korean soft tofu stew ingredients
bowl of stew

Black Forest Trifle

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This recipe is not quite as simple as typical recipes on Guess Who’s Cooking, but it can be adapted/simplified in a few ways:

  • Make the pudding as a simple stand-alone dessert
  • Make the pudding without the soy milk and use it as a simple stand-alone mousse, or use it as frosting for any cake
  • Make the chocolate cake and frosting (pudding without the soy milk) and make cupcakes, a sheet cake, or a round layered cake
  • Make just the cake and frost it with your favorite frosting

You may not believe that a dessert with this much tofu would be good, but it actually took first place in the Northern California Soy and Tofu Festival 2018 dessert competition.

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Black Forest Trifle (Triple Tofu)

This trifle has three main layers, and believe it or not, every one of them is made with tofu! It is decadent, rich, tender, silky, moist, creamy, and not overly sweet. Juicy cherries provide a pop of flavor in every bite. This recipe also happens to be completely plant-based, as long as vegan dark chocolate (and sugar) is used. People will have no idea it’s vegan or made with tofu!

Course Dessert
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 12

Ingredients

  • 32 ounces silken tofu drained
  • 1 3/4 cup cake flour
  • 12 ounces frozen cherries thawed, juice reserved
  • 1 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup canola oil plus 1 tablespoon for greasing pan
  • 1/4 cup agave syrup divided
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract divided
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 ounce dark chocolate bar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 + 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

For the cake

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 8x11” baking pan with 1 tablespoon canola oil and line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.

  2. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt. Whisk to combine. 

  3. In a food processor, puree 12 ounces tofu until very smooth. Add sugar, ¾ cup soy milk, ½ cup canola oil, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and puree until well combined. 

  4. Pour tofu mixture into dry ingredients and whisk until smooth. 

  5. Pour batter into prepared baking pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool for 20 minutes, then remove from pan and let cool completely on a wire rack.

For the chocolate pudding

  1. In a food processor, puree 12 ounces tofu until very smooth. Add ½ cup soy milk, 2 tablespoons agave syrup and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and puree until well combined.

  2. Melt chocolate chips in a small bowl by microwaving for 30 seconds at a time, stirring, and repeating until melted (about 1 ½ minutes). 

  3. Pour melted chocolate into tofu mixture and puree until smooth. Refrigerate until needed for assembly.

For the vanilla cream

  1. In a food processor, puree 8 ounces tofu until very smooth. Add 2 tablespoons agave, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons vanilla, and 1/8 teaspoon salt and puree until smooth. Refrigerate until needed for assembly. 

To assemble the trifle

  1. Cut cake into 1-inch cubes. Cut thawed cherries in half and place reserved juice in a shallow bowl.

  2. Dip one side of the cake into reserved cherry juice. Place 1 layer of cake cubes into serving dish, dipped side up. Spoon a light layer of cream on top of the cake. Add a sparse layer of cherries. Top with a fairly generous but not solid layer of pudding. 

  3. Repeat steps above. Use a vegetable peeler to shave dark chocolate on top as a garnish. Serve cold.

 









Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai

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Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai

Pad Thai is a very popular Thai dish traditionally made with rice noodles. This recipe replaces the rice noodles with spaghetti squash, replacing refined grains with a nutritious vegetable. Spaghetti squash also has about 5 times less calories than most noodles or pasta! This recipe is based off of an authentic Pad Thai recipe from Basil Cookery School in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

 

Here are some possible substitutions. You can use more authentic ingredients if you can find them – check international markets:

  • Use rice noodles instead of spaghetti squash – but it won’t be as healthy! Or replace 1/2 of the spaghetti squash with rice noodles
  • Use oyster sauce instead of tamari/soy sauce
  • Use 2 tablespoons of tamarind paste instead of lime juice and brown sugar. This is a very unique flavor that is critical to authentic pad Thai.
  • To make this dish vegetarian, substitute the fish sauce for tamari/soy sauce or another fish sauce alternative and do not substitute oyster sauce for tamari/soy sauce.
  • To make this dish vegan, make it vegetarian (above) and omit the eggs.

Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai

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Serves 4
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 50 minutes
Total time 1 hour
Dietary Diabetic
Meal type Main Dish
Adapted from an authentic Pad Thai recipe from Thailand, this recipe replaces rice noodles with spaghetti squash, which has about 5 times less calories!

Ingredients

  • 1 spaghetti squash
  • 14oz firm or extra firm tofu
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
  • 2 tablespoons shallots, minced
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup carrots, shredded
  • 1 cup bean sprouts
  • 1/4 cup reduced sodium tamari or soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Optional

  • 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
  • crushed peanuts
  • lime wedges

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut spaghetti squash in half and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Brush with 1 tablespoon oil and roast on a baking sheet, cut side down, for 35-45 minutes, or until tender. Set aside to cool.
Step 2
Meanwhile, drain tofu and cut in half lengthwise. Place slices between towels and place a heavy item such as a cast iron pan on top to press out excess moisture. Let sit for 10-15 minutes.
Step 3
Once spaghetti squash has cooled, use a fork to shred the flesh into strands. Set aside.
Step 4
Heat a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add remaining oil, then shallots and garlic. Cook until fragrant, 30-60 seconds.
Step 5
Add tofu to pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until most sides are browned, about 8 minutes.
Step 6
Push tofu to one side of the pan and crack eggs into the open space. Stir until cooked, then add spaghetti squash, carrots, and bean sprouts. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes or until sprouts start to wilt.
Step 7
Mix tamari or soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, and brown sugar. Add to pan and stir to coat everything. Remove from heat and add optional garnishes.

Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai









Eggplant Lasagna Rolls (from Minimalist Baker)

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Eggplant Lasagna Rolls | Healthy, vegan, vegetarian, plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free

I wanted to share this recipe from Minimalist Baker, an amazing recipe resource. People that dislike both tofu and eggplant have said they liked this recipe. You will be amazed how much the tofu tastes like ricotta. This recipe is much healthier than typical lasagna, which is made with refined grains (noodles), lots of dairy (cheese), and not much vegetables. With this recipe, you get at least a couple servings of vegetables along with some plant-based protein. It is also easier to make (and eat) rolls rather than a whole layered eggplant lasagna.

Eggplant Lasagna Roll recipe – on MinimalistBaker.com

Eggplant Lasagna Rolls | Healthy, vegan, vegetarian, plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free









Tahini Cucumber Noodles

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Cucumber Tahini Bowl

Put a twist on traditional salad and enjoy it in the form of “noodles!” With all the components of a salad (raw vegetables, dressing, and a healthy protein), this recipe is hearty enough to fill you up but light enough to keep you from feeling sluggish. It is a perfect meal to make ahead and bring to work or school for lunch.

Recipe inspired by Inspiralized.

Tahini Cucumber Noodles

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Tahini Cucumber Noodles
Serves 4
Prep time 20 minutes
Cook time 30 minutes
Total time 50 minutes
Dietary Diabetic, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Meal type Lunch, Main Dish
Misc Pre-preparable, Serve Cold
Website Inspiralized
Put an exciting *spin* on traditional salad and turn it into "noodles"! Simple combine cucumber, carrots, tofu and a delicious creamy dressing for a tasty lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

  • 1 14-ounce package firm tofu, drained
  • 2 tablespoons reduced sodium tamari or soy sauce
  • 3 English cucumbers (about 6 cups)
  • 2 carrots, peeled (about 1 cup)
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 stalks green onion, sliced (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2
Cut tofu into 3 slices and place between two towels. Place a heavy object such as a cast iron skillet on top to squeeze out the moisture and let sit for 15 minutes, if possible.
Step 3
Cut tofu into cubes and toss with tamari. Let sit for 15 minutes, if possible. Place tofu cubes on baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, turning once, or until slightly crisp on the outside.
Step 4
Meanwhile, use a spiral slicer to cut the cucumber and carrots into noodles. Alternatively, use a julienne peeler to cut vegetables into long strips.
Step 5
In a small blender or food processor, combine remaining ingredients to make the dressing. Add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if necessary, to reach desired consistency. The dressing should be thin enough to pour but not too watery. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Step 6
In 4 bowls, divide the cucumber, carrots, and tofu. Toss with dressing and serve cold. Garnish with green onion (and sesame seeds if desired).
Step 7
If making this recipe ahead of time for individual meals, portion out the vegetables and tofu into containers. Before serving, pour out any excess water that has been released from the cucumbers. Store the dressing separately and combine just prior to serving.

Cucumber Tahini Bowl

Cucumber Tahini Bowl