I feel like tofu sometimes get a bad rap. I don't think that anyone in my family (or most of them) would willingly eat tofu even though they have no clue what it tastes like. They say they don't like it but that's bullshit because they have just never tried it. They all just think that only crunchy hippies are allowed to eat it or if they do eat it, they will turn into a crunchy hippie. Either way, they are butt heads and are missing out. I think one of the big reasons some people don't like it is that they think tofu is suppose to be a meat replacement. That is wrong. Tofu is tofu(which is soy) and is not trying to be meat.
In our house we eat tofu a couple times a week. Sometimes as a main meal or sometimes in soups or bread or pie, or where ever I feel like I want it, but mostly just a quick sear and into the belly it goes. There are so many ways to prepare and flavor it but honesty, more times then not, my go to is simple. Lemon, pepper, salt. It's quick, easy, super tasty, goes with everything and I always have the ingredients.
So to all those who think tofu is gross, I say, try it or if you have really tried it, try it again. And then if you still think it's gross, well ok then. And to all those who like tofu, you will like this. And you are cool.
The stuff. Extra firm tofu, a couple small lemons, salt, pepper, and some olive oil.
Fist off, cut up tofu. I like to cut in talk, then into fourths, thne into squares and those square into little triangles. But you can cut it into strips or square... whatever you like, just make sure that each piece isn't more then 1/2 inch thick.
Once cut up, place the tofu onto a clean dry towel, cover with another towel, and press, trying to remove as much liquid as you can without tuning tofu into mush. I will usually let the tofu sit on out on the counter like this for a little while,
Once you are ready for cooking, preheat a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil and optional, preheat the oven. Mix together the salt ans pepper then sprinkle both sides of the tofu with it.
Zest lemons and cut in half so they are ready to juice.
Place tofu pieces into hot skillet, single layer and squeeze some lemon all over. Sear the tofu until the bottoms are a nice deep brown. Flip and repeat, adding more lemon juice.
Once the tofu is cooked both sides, sprinkle with the lemon zest. Now here is a personal preference. I like my tofu a bit more on the cooked side so I slide the skillet of tofu into the oven for 10 minutes or so. The mr like it just as it is. So either way. I say try it before the oven and stick it in if you think it needs to cook more.
And it's done.
Tofu with a side of broccoli. Not a bad dinner, not bad at all.
-C
Lemon Pepper Tofu
serves 2-3
- 1 package extra firm tofu
- 2 small lemons
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (or more to taste)
- 1 tablespoon crushed pepper
- olive oil
Remove tofu from package and cut in half. Cut each half into fourths then cut each forth into square then each square in half diagonally. Or cut tofu into whatever shape and thickness you like, just don't make the pieces to small or more then 1/2 inch thick. Once cut, place on to a clean dry towel and cover, pressing gently to remove as much excess water without squishing it.
*Preheat oven to 400 (Option. See below)
Mix together the salt and pepper then start to preheat an oven safe skillet on medium high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Zest the lemons and cut in half.. Once the skillet is hot, sprinkle the tofu, front and back, with the salt and pepper mixture. Place half the tofu(if you pan is not big enough, cook in 2 batches) into hot pan and squeeze the juice of a lemon (or half a lemon if doing batches) on top. Let tofu cook until the bottom is a nice deep brown. Flip all the pieces , add the juice of other lemon(or half a lemon if doing batches) and cook until the bottom is a deep brown. Once cooked, sprinkle the tofu with the zest of the lemon.
*Option. After I cook the tofu on the stove top, I usually stick the tofu, (in the skillet) into a hot oven for 10-15 minutes to give it more of a hearty texture. The mr prefers the tofu much softer so I will skip this step for him.
Serve right away with some broccoli, rice, or whatever floats your boat.
