Lemon Pepper Tofu Cutlets Food

LEMON PEPPER TOFU CUTLETS

Steps:

• PREP THE TOFU: First, you'll want to freeze your tofu. Place the whole container (do not open it) in the freezer overnight. In the morning, remove it from the freezer and set it in a shallow dish on your counter to thaw. This will take several hours. When the tofu is thawed, squeeze it gently over the sink and press it with a tofu press or on paper towels to remove any excess liquid.
• MARINATE: Place your tofu on a cutting board and slice it into 8 equal "cutlets." Use a fork to mix all the marinade ingredients in a large measuring cup. Place the cutlets in a shallow container and pour the marinade over them, making sure each cutlet is coated. Cover and place them in your fridge for at least an hour or overnight.*
• BAKE: When you're ready to bake your cutlets, preheat your oven to 350F and grab a large baking sheet. Place the cutlets on this baking sheet and bake them at 350F for 40 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Depending on the thickness / brand of tofu you're using, you may want to flip and cook them another 10 - 20 minutes until they are browned and meaty. We end up cooking ours an extra 10 most times.
• SERVE: Finally, let your cutlets cool slightly before slicing them up for all your salads or pasta or bowls throughout the week. They will firm a bit as they cool. You can store them in an air-tight container in the fridge or freeze them for up to 8 weeks!

LEMON-PEPPER TOFU

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray or lightly coat with oil. Poke each slice of tofu with a fork 3-4 times to let the flavors seep inches
• Drizzle the olive oil and aminos on a plate. Use a microplane to grate the garlic into the mix (or mince the garlic as finely as you can). Dredge each tofu slice and lay them out on the plate. Sprinkle one tablespoon of lemon pepper over the tofu and rub it inches Flip and repeat.
• Place the tofu in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes on one side, flip and bake another 10 minutes. Yum!

EASY-AS-1-2-3 VERSATILE GRILLED TOFU CHUNKS OR SANDWICH SLICES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, make the marinade by mixing the oil and soy sauce together with the salt and pepper, and/or extras if you like-- such as fresh herbs, Season-All, some nutritional yeast, a zesty spice like Ras El Hanout, you name it.
• or a different liquid like vinegars or tahini. Some marinade ideas-2TB olive oil + 1TB tahini + 1 tsp cumin for a Middle Eastern flavor, 2TB olive oil + 1 TB soy sauce + 1 tsp white vinegar + 1 tsp lemon pepper for a "faux fish" flavor, 2TB olive oil + 1TB soy sauce + 1 tsp taco seasoning + 1/2 tsp nutritional yeast for a Mexican flavor, 2TB olive oil + 1TB balsamic vinegar + 1 tsp oregano + 1/2 tsp ground rosemary for an Italian flavor, 2TB olive oil + 1TB soy sauce + 1 tsp red wine vinegar + 2 tsp nutritional yeast + 1/2 tsp turmeric + 1/4 tsp cumin.
• Ok, these next few steps in drying out the tofu are super-important and dependent on your microwave's strength-- I get about 8-9 slices if this nukes right, but they can get crumbly and fall to pieces if not left in long enough. (Still edible, but the "cutlet" form is easier to grill and make sandwiches with.).
• First, you have to cut open the tofu packet and get ALL the liquid out while carefully making sure you don't tear up the tofu brick.
• Place the brick on a microwave-safe dish and nuke in 30 or 45 second intervals on high until most of the water is out-- you'll see water come out on the sides between nukings. Blot it with a clean dish towel or some paper towels, and repeat this until little to no water comes out the sides-- but don't overcook!
• Turning over the brick onto the opposite side and wiping up the water coming out of the bottom helps speed this up.
• Cut into rectangles (or another shape if you like, I get about 8-9 rectangles this way.) Put the dried out tofu into a large tossing bowl. Pour on the marinade.
• Toss well to coat. If you didn't nuke for long enough, it can crumble in this step. It's ok, will still be edible, you'll just have more and smaller pieces.
• If you plan on cooking at a future point, put into an airtight container and refridgerate to grill at a later date.
• If you want to cook it now, let the marinade sit on the tofu for about 10-15 minutes. Tofu is very absorbent, all that great flavor soaks through this way.
• Grill them! I wouldn't know how to do this on an outdoor grill, but I use a mini George Foreman grill that works perfect, about 5 minutes does it. You can also use a stovetop grill pan, about 5 minutes on each side.
• For sandwich slices to eat cold--let the grilled tofu cool for about 20 minutes then wrap in plastic wrap or an airtight container and refridgerate.
• Use your imagination in serving and enjoy!