Indian Spiced Tofu

Indian Spiced Tofu

I have a tendency to let lunch sneak up on me. All of a sudden it’s 12:30 and I’m starving. This is a super quick lunch or side dish, even though it looks like it has a lot of ingredients. If you have these spices standing by, it takes all of a minute to measure everything out. Chopping the carrots doesn’t take that long either, but you could always just pulse them a few times in your food processor if you want.

If you want, feel free to used steamed cauliflower instead of tofu in this dish. I think it’d be great that way!

Indian Spiced Tofu
Serves two, but I almost at the whole thing!

1 Block Extra Firm Tofu, pressed*
2 Small Carrots, finely chopped
1/4 Cup Frozen Peas
2 tsp Lemon Juice
2 tsp Earth Balance

Spices
1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds (brown/black)
1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
1/4 tsp Turmeric
1/4 tsp Paprika
1/2 tsp Coriander
1/2 tsp Pepper Flakes (scant)
1/2 tsp Salt

Heat vegetable oil (1-2 Tbs worth) in a skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot, add spices and stir. When mustard seeds begin to pop, add lemon juice. Let the juice bubble for a a few seconds, then add carrots and saute until just tender, 2-3 minutes. Add tofu and stir to coat, breaking up large pieces until you get a consistency you like. Taste and adjust seasonings (you might want more salt or lemon juice).

When mixture is hot again, add peas and mix gently until thawed. Add earth balance and stir until melted and evenly distributed. Serve immediately!

*You can press your tofu like a normal person (i.e. for a while with weights, letting it drain into a sink or a bowl) or you can do what I do when I’m just going to crumble the tofu anyway:

1. Drain off excess liquid from tofu.
2. Place tofu at the short end of a clean terry cloth rag
3. Roll up the tofu!
4. Squeeze the dickens out of it, allowing yourself to crush it a little.
5. Unroll into a bowl or directly into your pan.

Voila!  And it already starts the crumbling process, which makes it a great way to press the tofu for this dish.

11 comments

  1. Tania

    That scramble looks great! I’ve only made it once (just the other week, when I was home on spring break,) and I threw in so many veggies that they outweighed the tofu haha.
    I like the idea of throwing frozen peas in there!

  2. Anna

    Yum. When you say tofu, do you mean silken tofu (like Mori-Nu, the kind that comes in the tetrapak box) or the kind that’s in the refrigerated isle?

  3. Lolo

    Thanks Tania! I love frozen peas, I probably use them too much. They’re just so convenient!

    Anna – I used the refrigerated kind that comes in tubs of water. :)

  4. Lolo

    Thank you Lorelei! I got a Canon Rebel XTI recently, but the older photos are taken with either a Sony Cybershot or another smaller sony point-and-shoot.

  5. Regina

    Thanks for this great recipe. Lunch always sneaks up on us too. I made this for me and my two year old. We both loved it and ate it all up!

  6. Lolo

    Am – Thanks! I bet you could. It would taste a little different, but I don’t think that’d be a bad thing! Let me know if it works!

    Regina – Thanks! I’m so glad you and your little one liked it!

  7. andrea!

    I made this today! I didn’t have any peas but I put in a bunch of shredded zucchini, and it was delicious!

  8. nancy

    What is earth balance and where can I get it or what can I substitute?

    It’s a vegan margarine, and it’s sold at a lot of grocery stores, including Whole Foods.

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