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Tofu Bacon

March 2, 2015


I’ve been on a mission for the last year or so, and I’m happy to say I’ve finally met my goal. My tofu related goal. Everyone has tofu goals, right? I’ve been trying to recreate the BLT from my favorite (err, well, the only) local vegan restaurant, and I finally have the bacon down. Crispy, chewy, smokey — everything bacon needs. The BLT of my dreams actually has almond mayo, but I have no idea where to begin making that. (Send me recipes, please!)

Tofu Bacon @hiddenfruitnveg

How do you know this tofu is good? Josh loved it. Though he admitted he couldn’t be fooled into thinking it’s actual bacon (I mean, look at it), he proclaimed it delicious in it’s own right. In fact when I went into the kitchen later, I realized he had gobbled up the leftovers. Rude, right? I could’ve — and did!– have big plans for leftover bacon. Mainly that I was going to wolf it down myself.

Tofu Bacon @hiddenfruitnveg

I get that it’s a little time intensive, but it’s worth it. Make it on a lazy day when you’re parked on the couch watching Netflix. It’s a good excuse to get up and stretch every now and then, and it ends in bacon. Good day, right?

Tofu Bacon
Author: 
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 

Serves: 20 strips
 

Ingredients
  • 14 oz extra firm tofu (regular or lite)
  • 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce or GF soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp liquid smoke
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup + 1 tbsp brown sugar (or 2 tbsp of either)
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • Extra virgin olive oil

Instructions
  1. Drain tofu and press for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Slice tofu into strips about ⅛ inch thick (I got 20 strips).
  3. Arrange strips on a towel and press again for at least 15 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F and whisk together the soy sauce, smoke, syrup/sugar, and nutritional yeast.
  5. Spritz a pan with nonstick spray and arrange tofu strips on the pan.
  6. Brush the tofu with the soy sauce mixture then bake for 10 minutes.
  7. Flip tofu and brush with more mixture. Bake another 10 minutes. Repeat (baking a total of 30 minutes). This should use all of the marinade.
  8. Once tofu is done baking, heat a skillet over medium heat.
  9. Line pan with a little oil and fry the tofu on each side for 1 – 2 minutes, until crisp.
  10. If making ahead of time, refrigerate or freeze after baking. Thaw if frozen and fry in pan before serving.

Notes
Nutritional estimate uses 1 tsp oil and regular tofu.
To make it more worth the time, you can double or triple the recipe. Tofu is best refrigerated or frozen prior to frying.

Nutrition Information
Serving size: 5 strips Calories: 125 Fat: 6 Carbohydrates: 19 Fiber: 2 Protein: 11

 

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5 Comments
    Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health Mar 04, 2015

    What! I’ve never seen tofu bacon before. Brilliant idea! And yes, a day that ends in bacon is always a good one. 🙂

    Joanne Mar 03, 2015

    Girl, I TOTALLY have tofu dreams…I didn’t know tofu bacon was one of them, but it really is. This sounds so good! I see a gazillion BLTs in my future.

    Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl Mar 02, 2015

    I love you for this!!! I am a big-time fan of tempeh “bacon,” so I obviously would LOVE tofu “bacon.” Pinning for later. I feel a “TLT” coming on soon!

    Annie @Maebells Mar 02, 2015

    How clever is this?! I love creative dishes like this! It looks great!