Asparagus and Pesto Tofu Scramble

 

After stocking my fridge with a full batch of radish pesto yesterday, I have been cooking up a delicious pesto storm!

Trying to be more creative than my usual "pesto pasta with zucchini," I decided to use the zippy radish pesto in this complimentary tofu and asparagus dish because I knew would result in a great meal AND great lunch leftovers (I pack my mom's lunches for her. Sometimes I label them for the day of the week. We have a pretty good thing going on in our household).

Tofu is a great base to use when cooking with strong herbs or sauces like pesto because of its ability to absorb and disseminate all those lovely flavors. I am one of those freaks who loves to eat plain tofu straight out of the container (and do, frequently) but if you are just beginning to experiment with it or if you are cooking for a non-believer, use something flavorful like a pesto to help you ease into the glorious world of tofu.

Asparagus and Pesto Tofu Scramble

• 1 block tofu, cut into small cubes
• 2 tsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1/2 lb asparagus, chopped
• 4-6oz crimini mushrooms, sliced thinly
• salt/pepper/garlic powder/paprika/italian seasoning - to taste (about 2 tsp total I would say)
• 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 head rainbow chard or other greens, chopped (mine came from the garden - yay!)
• 1 recipe garden-fresh radish pesto

Start by dry-frying your tofu in a smaller NON-STICK pan. Bring pan up to temperature over medium heat and toss in your tofu (no need for oil or fat source here; that's why it's called dry-frying). Lightly cook the tofu on each side until golden brown.

Meanwhile, in a larger fry pan, bring your veggie oil (I used grapeseed) up to temperature over medium-low heat. Toss in your onions and saute them for 2-3 minutes before adding the asparagus and mushrooms. Continue to saute for another 5-6 minutes before adding in the tofu.

You want to add in your spices and nutritional yeast right after you add in the tofu to allow them to toast up before you add in the pesto for maximum flavor enhancement. Continue to cook for another 3-4 minutes.

As soon as the asparagus is cooked evenly - not too soggy and not too stringy - toss in your greens, spices, nutritional yeast and pesto and give the whole thing a good stir.

Cover the pan and continue to cook for another 4 minutes or until the greens are wilted!

Serve right on up and enjoy!

 

Live long and prosper! And don't fear tofu!

"Pulled Pork" Jackfruit Sandwiches

When I saw the recipe for this sandwich I thought that it was too good to be true and too crazy to taste good. Fortunately, I was dead wrong and this recipe for vegan pulled pork sandwiches tastes incredible, is high in fiber, low fat, low cal and is gluten free adaptable (if you use GF bread).

But wait...so what exactly is jackfruit and how does it become this lovely sandwich?

Well. Jackfruit is this giant, prickly, starchy African fruit that has an extremely mild flavor (perfect for picking up the flavors of your pulled pork rub/sauce) and is difficult to find in most run-of-the-mill grocery stores - canned or fresh. However, most Asian markets carry canned jackfruit (just make sure to get it in BRINE not SYRUP) and, as a plus, it's like $1.79 a can and 1 can equals about 3 sandwiches.

I, for one, could not believe that this odd, insubstantial fruit turned into such a fantastically textured, hearty (dare I say "meaty"?) sandwich.

In fact, the only thing I would do differently with this recipe next time is use slightly more liquid in the simmering process and spend slightly less time chatting with friends and making drinks when it's in the oven because my sandwiches ended up a teensy bit dry (hence the Sriracha). Still! The texture was amazing and I will know better for next time to use more liquid and less oven.

(The original recipe that I adapted to make these sandwiches is here.) 

"Pulled Pork" Jackfruit Sandwiches

• 1 can Jackfruit in BRINE. Rinsed. (The original recipe says to separate the core or inner pieces from the stringy bits but I didn't do this and it turned out fine. I just had to mash those pieces with a fork)
• 1/2 a yellow onion, chopped
• 3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 3 buns! 

For the Dry Rub

• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp paprika 
• 1/2 tsp brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp chipotle seasoning
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp white pepper 

For the Wet Sauce

• 3 Tbs tomato paste
• 2 Tbs BBQ sauce
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp Braggs or soy sauce
• 2 tsp liquid smoke  
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 Tbs agave nectar
• 1/4 cup veggie broth

Place your rinsed and drained jackfruit in a bowl and coat evenly with your dry rub spices. Throw it in either a sauce pan or a fry pan (just make sure it has a lid!) and, over low to medium heat (no oil), lightly toast your jackfruit pieces until they begin to turn brown on all sides (I did this for the same amount of time it took me to do the next step - so about 6-8 minutes).

In a separate skillet, bring some oil up to medium heat and add your onion, stirring occasionally for about 4-5 minutes until beginning to carmelize. Toss in your garlic and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Whisk together the ingredients for your wet sauce.

After your jackfruit is toasted, add the onions and garlic and then pour the whisked wet sauce over the top. Cover your pan and simmer all the ingredients for about 20 minutes. Then, using a fork, begin to pull apart the jackfruit pieces in the pan. Add more veggie broth if your jackfruit is starting to look dry and then simmer for another 15 minutes. This will give the jackfruit ample time to soak up the ingredients. While the jackfruit is simmering for the last 15 minutes, preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

After the full 35 minutes are up, remove your jackfruit from the stove top and transfer it to a cookie sheet. Using that same fork you used before, finish pulling apart the jackfruit pieces, taking extra care to mash any center pieces that are still in tact. Place the jackfruit in the oven for about 10 minutes to help tenderize the fruit and lock in the flavors a little more.

Remove the "pulled pork" mixture from the oven and spoon directly onto toasted buns.

Top with additional sriracha or BBQ sauce as you see fit.

Munch.

Feel free to do a little yes dance as you eat this sandwich if you can coordinate it.

It's that good.

Live long and prosper! And eat vegan foods made out of strange African fruits.