Vegan Recipes and Plant Based Cooking

Do you need something creamy and spicy to smear on your sandwich? Are you craving something rich and hot to dress your salad? This easy tofu puree might just scratch your itch.  It doesn't take much effort, but you'll be rewarded with outrageous flavor.  Ingredients 1 Poblano 2 Jalapenos 1 Long Hot Pepper 1 Serrano  3 Cloves Garlic Half of a 14 ounce pkg Extra Firm Tofu 1/3 Cup Water 1 Tbl Canola Oil 1 Tbl Salt 1 Tsp Black Pepper Instructions Chunk the peppers into 2 inch pieces. Slice the garlic cloves in half.  Add all the peppers, garlic, salt, and black pepper to a frying pan. Heat to medium high or until the peppers start to sizzle. Stir in the oil.  Saute until the pepper skins start to get brown and charred.  Carefully stir in the water and scrape any brown bits off the bottom of the pan.  Simmer for 7 minutes.  Add the tofu to a blender. Pour the warm pepper mixture on top. Allow it to cool uncovered for 5 minutes and then puree until smooth. 

Chefs love to say that a good sauce ties everything together. I'm not a chef, but I have to agree.  Ever since I started making sauces, I've been unable to stop. The food feels naked without one.  Because my sauces eschew dairy and meat, I like to use various chiles for flavor. When you combine a few, it gives the depth you might otherwise obtain from classic sauce ingredients.  Ingredients 1 Habanero 2 Jalapenos 1 Serrano 10 Small Cloves Garlic Half a 14 oz pkg Extra Firm Tofu, drained 1/2 Cup Water 1/3 Cup Water 1 Tbl Canola Oil 2 Tsps Rosemary, crumbled/broken 1 Bay Leaf 1 Tbl Salt 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper Instructions Cut the peppers into small chunks. Use a small frying pan to char the peppers and garlic.  Add the oil and spices and toast until fragrant.  Add the half cup water and simmer for 5 minutes.  Put the tofu into a blender. Add the third cup of water and the frying pan mixture.  Allow it to cool for 5 minutes, then puree until smooth. 

Finding myself in the mood for something both a little chewy and a little crunchy, I decided I would try to make some tofu dumplings.  I didn't have and didn't want to use flour, so I thought rice would work instead. I also used some lentils for a little texture and chew.  Ingredients One 14 oz pkg Extra Firm Tofu 1 Cup Dry White Rice 1/4 Cups Dry Lentils 2 Tbls Canola Oil 2 Tbls Water 1 Tbl Turmeric 2 Tsps Smoked Paprika 1 Tsp Garlic Powder 2 Tsps Thyme 1 Tsp Crushed Pepper Flakes 1 Tsp Black Pepper 1 1/2 Tbls Salt Instructions You'll need to drain the tofu, wrap it in a kitchen towel and place it in the fridge to dry overnight. This is essential. Once your tofu is ready you can begin the rest of the process.  Start by grinding both the rice and the lentils in a spice grinder until they are powder.  Add everything to your food processor. Pulse until a fairly dense, slightly wet dough is formed.  Cover the chute of the food processor with plastic wrap and place it in th