Quick dinner recipes are a must-have for those busy weeknights when you don’t have much time to cook. If you have a few picky kids like me, you want to have some meals in your pocket that even they will gobble down happily. A few of my family’s favorite quick meals are: Peanut Tofu with Coconut Rice, Tofu Bolognese, Vegan Alfredo and Teriyaki Noodles. Recently, I created another recipe that is not only fast to make, it’s incredibly delicious and a bit fancy – Creamy Lemon Tofu. To my surprise, all the kids enjoyed this one. My husband thinks the tofu has an almost “fishy” quality to it, and was immediately in love. It has plenty of sauce for mixing into pasta or soaking into rice. I prefer serving it with pasta for an easy, fast and filling meal. You can use gluten free, plain old white noodles or whole wheat, whatever you prefer.
How to make it
Full instructions and ingredients are listed below in the recipe card. This is a simple overview. It really couldn’t be easier. If you buy extra-firm tofu, there is no need to press it. If you only have firm, I would press it for 30 minutes first. Pat your tofu dry and slice into 1/2 inch thick rectangles. Sprinkle the tofu with salt, pepper and rub a little cornstarch into it. Fry it in a large skillet (non-stick or cast iron) with olive oil over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, then flip and cook 2-3 more minutes until golden brown on both sides. Place the tofu on a plate nearby, then make the creamy sauce in the same pan. Return the tofu to the pan with the sauce, and serve immediately over pasta or rice.
How to prevent tofu from sticking when frying
First of all, start with a good pan. I have a stainless steel pan that my tofu ALWAYS STICKS TO, no matter what. I don’t use it for frying tofu! I like my cast iron or my non-stick pan. Second, press the tofu if you are using firm. I used extra-firm and did not need to press it. Pat it dry. Third, warm the oil then place the tofu on the pan. DO NOT TOUCH IT for a good 2-3 minutes. Don’t try to move it around as it cooks. You need a layer of crispness to form in those minutes, which will make it much easier to flip. And finally, use a quality thin spatula to carefully get under each piece, gently, and then flip over. Do the same thing with the other side (don’t touch it for a few minutes).
Want more delicious tofu recipes?
Crispy Tofu (Vegan Chicken Nuggets) Creamy Vegan Carbonara Crispy Sesame Tofu Crispy Baked Orange Tofu Marinated Tofu (The Best Tofu Ever!) Vegan Butter “Chicken”
