Braised Tofu and Greens (1 pan!)

Spice-Rubbed Braised Tofu with Greens in a Savory Umami Sauce. A singular scrumptious vacation entree that each one cooks in a single pan! (gluten-free and nut-free with soy-free choices)

I wished to make a vegan braised meat-style dish for the vacations, so I got here up with this one-skillet meal that’s wealthy, hearty, and extremely flavorful. It options a tremendous, fragrant spice rub that smells so meaty you’ll be stunned it’s fully plant-based. The spice rub coats tofu that’s been frozen, thawed, and pressed, giving it a dense, chewy texture excellent for braising.

The bottom for the braise begins with crisped-up potatoes and carrots. After searing the greens, we make a deeply flavorful sauce with caramelized onions, plenty of aromatics, and recent herbs, and taste boosters. 

The tofu and greens braise collectively on this sauce, permitting the tofu to soak up all that taste whereas creating a barely crispy high and a young, chicken-like inside.

We use an oven-safe pan to start out the dish on the stovetop and end it within the oven, the place the greens turn into completely tender and the tofu will get a stunning golden high. 

It’s unbelievable served with rice, couscous, mashed potatoes or different mashed greens, bean purée, some crusty bakery bread, or a aspect salad. 

A easy herb sauce provides a shiny, recent distinction, however you’ll be able to get pleasure from it by itself, too. It’s full of wonderful flavors with or with out. The herb sauce simply bumps up the flavour much more.

Why You’ll Love Braised Tofu and Greens

• 1-pan entree that’s excellent for the vacation desk
• flavorful braised greens in caramelized onion sauce
• large items of crisp, herb-rubbed tofu
• naturally gluten-free and nut-free with simple soy-free possibility

Elements

• tofu – For the perfect texture, freeze after which thaw the tofu earlier than urgent out the surplus moisture. To avoid wasting time, you’ll be able to simply press the tofu for quarter-hour, if wanted.
• herbs and spices – For the spice rub, you want cumin seeds, bay leaves, paprika cayenne (optionally available), black pepper, cinnamon, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. For the braised greens, use recent or dried thyme together with dried sage. You can also make the herb sauce with recent cilantro, parsley, or each.
• soy sauce and brown sugar – You may toss the tofu with these earlier than including the spice rub for extra taste, for those who like.
• aromatics – Onion and garlic add a ton of taste to the braised tofu and greens!
• veggies – Seared potatoes and carrots add texture and taste.
• sauces – Tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce give the roast that meaty taste.
• lemon juice – For the optionally available herb sauce.

The best way to Make Braised Tofu and Greens

Warmth a small skillet over medium warmth. Add the cumin seeds and toast for 1 to 2 minutes till aromatic and barely darkened. Add the bay leaves to the pan, and toast briefly, then swap off the warmth. Switch to a spice grinder or espresso grinder, and course of till coarsely floor. Combine the bottom combination with the remaining tofu rub spices and salt in a small bowl.

If frozen, thaw the tofu in a single day within the fridge or on the counter for an hour or so. Press the tofu for at the very least quarter-hour to take away extra moisture. Tear into 1½” to 2 inch” items.

Add the tofu items to a big bowl. For additional taste, you’ll be able to toss the tofu cubes with the optionally available soy sauce combined with brown sugar earlier than coating them with the spice rub. Sprinkle the spice combination throughout, and toss nicely to coat. Marinate for at the very least an hour within the fridge.

In the meantime, prep the entire veggies and begin the braising course of.Preheat the oven to 415°F (210°C). 

Warmth oil in a big oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium warmth. Add the onion, garlic, and a pinch of salt, and prepare dinner for 4 to five minutes, till the onions flip translucent. Add a splash of water, if wanted, to stop sticking.

Add the thyme and sage, then stir within the potatoes and carrots. Add one other teaspoon of oil, if wanted, and toss to coat every little thing evenly. Let the combination sit undisturbed for about 5 minutes or longer, so the greens can begin to sear and the onions can caramelize. At this level, you’ll be able to sear the tofu briefly within the skillet, or add it later. 

Make an area in the course of the pan and add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and ½ cup of inventory. Combine very well, then pour within the remaining inventory, and blend once more. Place the tofu items on high of the greens. If the tofu is already combined in, don’t combine it up an excessive amount of; simply let every little thing sit within the inventory. Drizzle a teaspoon or extra of oil over the tofu.

Flip off the warmth, and switch the skillet to the oven. Bake for about 20 minutes, or till the tofu begins to get crispy on high and the potatoes and carrots are tender. If the tofu isn’t crispy sufficient, broil for a minute or two for additional crispness. If the sauce reduces an excessive amount of, add a splash of inventory earlier than serving.

Make the herb sauce by mixing all of the substances in a small bowl. Style and modify seasoning.

Serve the braised tofu and veggies as is, or with rice, couscous, mashed potatoes, bean purée, or crusty bread. Drizzle with the herb sauce earlier than serving.

What to Serve with Braised Tofu

Serve the braised tofu and veggies as is, or with rice, couscous, mashed potatoes, bean purée, or crusty bread. Drizzle with the herb sauce earlier than serving.