Ultimate Tempeh Bacon Food

EASY TEMPEH BACON

Steps:

• Slice the tempeh in half widthwise (so you have 2 even squares), then thinly slice each square in thirds so you have six very thin squares (it's easiest to do this by placing the tempeh flat on your cutting board and holding the knife horizontally for an even cut). Then slice each square into three rectangular strips. You should have ~18 pieces of tempeh (as the original recipe is written).
• In a shallow bowl, rimmed plate, or baking dish, whisk together the oil, tamari, maple syrup, salt, liquid smoke, smoked paprika, black pepper, and cayenne (optional). Taste and adjust flavor as needed. It should be quite salty, smoky, a little spicy, and plenty sweet (even a little too sweet, as it needs to balance the bitterness of the tempeh).
• Add the tempeh and toss to coat (using a pastry brush is helpful for fully coating). Marinate for 10-15 minutes, flipping once for even flavor dispersion.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Transfer tempeh (reserving excess marinade for brushing) to the parchment-lined baking sheet and arrange in a single layer.
• Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven, flip, and brush generously with reserved marinade. Bake for 8-10 minutes more, or until browned and slightly crispy.
• Enjoy immediately or store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat in a 350°F (176°C) oven or on the stovetop over medium heat until hot.

TEMPEH BACON BLT

Steps:

• Whisk together the maple syrup, soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of oil, smoked paprika, salt, cayenne, cumin and black pepper in a large bowl. Add in the tempeh and gently mix to combine and coat. Place the tempeh in the fridge to marinate for at least 4 hours or up to 12 hours.
• Remove the tempeh from the marinade and set both aside. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and add in the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the tempeh and cook for 2 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Spoon over some of the reserved marinade and allow it to cook down and coat the tempeh for about 1 to 2 minutes, flipping frequently. Set the tempeh aside.
• Assemble the sandwiches by spreading half of the sliced bread with mayonnaise and the other half with Dijon. Top with lettuce, tomato and the tempeh bacon, season with salt and pepper, cut the sandwiches in half and serve.

TEMPEH "BACON"

Steps:

• Whisk oil, maple syrup, soy sauce, paprika, salt, cayenne, and black pepper in a shallow dish. Add tempeh and gently toss to coat. Cover and chill at least 2 hours or up to 4.
• Preheat oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange tempeh in a single layer and bake, tossing and basting with marinade after 10 minutes, until tempeh is crispy, 30-33 minutes.
• Do Ahead
• Tempeh bacon can be made 5 days ahead; wrap tightly and chill.

TEMPEH "BACON," LETTUCE, AND TOMATO SANDWICH

Steps:

• Prepare marinade for Tempeh Bacon in a shallow dish, adding tomatoes along with tempeh. Cover and chill at least 2 hours or up to 4.
• Preheat oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange tempeh on one-half of sheet and tomatoes on remaining half in a single layer. Bake, tossing tempeh and basting with marinade after 10 minutes, until tempeh is crispy and tomatoes are shrunken and sweet, 30-33 minutes.
• Divide mayonnaise between 2 slices of bread. Top with tempeh and roasted tomatoes. Arrange avocado slices, basil, and romaine over, then top with remaining slices to close sandwich.