À La Carte: Tofu as security blanket

Sesame garlic tofu, tofu schnitzel, shredded tofu tacos + more 💚

When I don’t know what to cook for dinner but need to make something, my first order of business is to check the back of the fridge for a pack of tofu. If tofu is present, I can exhale because dinner is pretty much sorted.

Tofu is one of my “security blanket” ingredients because there are endless meals I can make with it. It’s a blank canvas that can be taken into so many directions. Depending on what other odds and ends my fridge has to offer, tofu could be a hearty taco filling, a meatless take on schnitzel, a creamy Thai-inspired curry, you name it.

If cooking with tofu is new to you, these five recipes are great starting points…

1. Sesame Garlic Tofu

Cubes of tofu are coated in cornstarch and fried until crispy, then tossed in a sticky garlic glaze. Pair with brown rice or stir-fried rice noodles.

2. Tofu Schnitzel with Mushrooms

These baked tofu cutlets are ultra crispy thanks to panko breadcrumbs. The mushroom gravy gives them a Jägerschnitzel vibe.

3. Thai-Inspired Zucchini Tofu Curry

Store-bought Thai red curry paste is an express train to Flavortown.

4. Shredded Tofu Tacos

“Super firm” tofu (available at Trader Joe’s and from Nasoya) shreds beautifully, creating an ideal texture for this smoky taco filling.

5. Tofu Bok Choy Stir-Fry

A great template recipe, since you can easily switch out the bok choy for lots of other veg (think carrots, green beans, cabbage, and/or snow peas).

Planning to make one of these? Tell me how it goes in the comments section or tag me with your creation on Instagram.