The Best Tofu EVER

Serves 4-6
Vegan

Not sure what to make for dinner tonight? Get it together! You have a package of tofu waiting patiently in the back of your refrigerator, just begging to be cooked. Despite its lame-hippie-tasteless reputation, tofu can be a seriously delicious treat… if you know what to do with it. Written below is what I believe to be the best way to cook tofu. (*To make this even easier on you, I strongly recommend using a non-stick pan.)

1 package of extra firm tofu (yes, it really DOES matter that it is extra firm. Texture is everyting.)
oil
salt & pepper
seasonings of your choice (soy sauce, dried herbs, hot sauce, curry powder, ANYTHING)

Heat up your pan on medium-high heat with some oil (enough to coat the bottom of the pan).

Slice the tofu into whatever shape you fancy. I like sticks of tofu, but sometimes I get crazy and slice it up into triangles. Don’t hold back… all shapes are equally delicious, but be advised that the thicker you slice the tofu, the longer it will take to cook.

Throw the tofu into the pan and LEAVE IT ALONE!!! While the tofu is in the pan, sprinkle it liberally with salt, pepper and the seasonings of your choice.

(I know its tempting to go moving the tofu around, but don’t. The whole point of The BEST Tofu EVER is that it has a really nice crispy-brown crust on it. Moving it around in the pan before it gets a chance to form the crust will prevent it from happening.)

After 5 or 6 minutes, the tofu should be ready to flip. Flip over one piece and make sure that it has a crust on it. If it does, flip the rest over. If it doesn’t, leave it for another minute or two, and then flip the rest.

Allow the tofu to cook for 5 or 6 minutes on the un-cooked side.

Eat and enjoy!

Once you have mastered this cooking method, the meal options are endless. For an Asian approach, sprinkle the tofu with soy sauce while it cooks and then toss it with stir-fried veggies and rice. For an Italian feast, toss the tofu with pasta, veggies, and your favorite marinara sauce. Want to brown-bag it to work tomorrow? Throw some tofu into a pita that is spread with hummus and stuffed with fresh veggies. Need to clean out your refrigerator? Perfect. Sauté your wilting vegetables and leftover rice or pasta, and a can of beans in a pan with the tofu and add the spices that you like best. Congratulations… you are now capable of making a scrumptious meal anytime, for any palate. Onward!