Simple Savory Herbed Tofu

Simple Savory Herbed Tofu 🌱 An easy and delicious vegan recipe for preparing beautifully seasoned seared tofu as an entree or hearty addition to any meal.

This recipe is as easy as it gets! All you need is a package of firm tofu and a few basic seasonings and you’ll have everything you need to make the most delicious and simple savory herbed tofu to accompany most any side dish or salad.

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Here is what you’ll need to prepare this recipe:

Equipment

• Large heavy bottom skillet (I prefer cast iron)
• Tofu press or two cutting boards and a couple heavy cans for weights
• Chef’s knife
• Measuring spoons
• Metal spatula or tongs

Ingredients

• Tofu – firm or extra firm
• Olive oil
• Sage – dried
• Oregano – dried
• Rosemary – dried
• Garlic powder – dried
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions

• Drain tofu and slice into ⅙” – ¼”thick slices
• Place tofu on cutting board.
• Combine dry herbs and seasonings.
• Rub seasonings onto both sides of tofu slices.
• Pour 2 tablespoon olive oil into skillet. Place over med-high heat.
• Arrange tofu slices in skillet. Sear both sides in hot pan until lightly browned.
• Remove from heat.
• Serve with your favorite side dishes.

🥕Variations

A combination of dried seasonings and fresh herbs can add a lot of flavor to tofu. Here are a few suggestions for different dishes:

• Cumin, chili lime seasoning – perfect with Mexican or Southwestern-inspired dishes
• Curry powder – adds an exotic flavor to any Thai or Indian recipe
• Smoked paprika, cayenne, chili powder – ideal for a barbecue flavor
• Sage, rosemary, thyme, sweet basil – holiday all the way!

🥕See the printable recipe below for details.

It’s just that easy! I love adding savory herbed tofu slices to sandwiches, like this one made with my favorite Thanksgiving leftovers.

The beauty of this tofu recipe is the endless variety of ways you can enjoy it, simply by using different herbs, seasonings and additional ingredients. For this vibrant Tofu Orange Veggie Skillet (below) we used a simple seasoned rub of paprika and salt. It’s delicious!

A basic savory seared tofu served with Garden Zucchini Squash Casserole.

What is Tofu?

The number one question asked by people who are new to veganism is “Where do you get your protein?” For those of us who have been vegan for awhile, we know how easy it is to consume more than enough protein from a plant-based diet – tofu of course – being a main staple for a lot of us.

Tofu, also known as bean curd, is a nutrient-rich food created from soy milk that has been heated and coagulated. The soy milk curds are then pressed and formed into blocks, much like traditional cheesemaking. The word “tofu”comes from the Japanese term for bean + curdled or fermented. Tofu or bean curd is often served as a plant-based meat or egg replacement in many recipes. Mild in flavor, tofu readily absorbs seasonings or flavors of any other ingredients it is cooked with. According to Wikipedia, tofu first originated in China more than 2,000 years ago. Today, tofu is a staple in many Asian countries including Vietnam, Thailand, and Korea.

🥕Did you know? As if he wasn’t already amazing enough – Benjamin Franklin, the brilliant polymath inventor, publisher, writer, postmaster, diplomat, and Founding Father – became an ethical vegetarian at the age of sixteen. He was also the first American known to mention tofu, according to a letter he wrote in 1770, where he referred to it as “cheese from China”

How to cook with tofu

If you haven’t cooked with tofu before, here’s everything you need to know to get started.

Step #1 Remove the water. Tofu is packaged in water. Before you use it, you will need to drain off all of the water and press any excess liquid out of the tofu. This will make the tofu absorb marinades and seasonings much better. The simplest and fastest way is by using a tofu press, but you can also sandwich the tofu between two cutting boards (I suggest first slicing the block of tofu into 1″- 2″ thick slabs) and then press down firmly, or, place heavy cans or books on top and let it sit for 10-15 minutes (on a slight slant so the liquid drains into a bowl or sink).

Step # 2 You’re now ready to start cooking!

FAQ’s

What does savory herbed tofu go well with? Check out these easy & delish side dishes!

• Simple Vegan Homemade Stuffing
• Vegan Classic Green Bean Casserole
• Simple Cranberry Orange Sauce
• Vegan Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich
• Orange Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Simple Maple Cranberry Yams

very vegan 🌱 very good

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you’ve enjoyed this recipe, please rate it using stars in the comment section below the recipe. It helps other readers find it online & decide if they want to give it a try too!. Thanks a bunch!🥕