Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Crispy Tofu Croutons Bake in the Air Fryer or Oven


crispy tofu and salad

Delicious crispy tofu anyone? (baked not fried)
Use your air-fryer or oven to make this simple easy flavorful baked tofu dish that is quite tasty and can be used as crispy "crouton-like" topping on a salad or as a protein over rice or cauliflower rice.


Free photos of Food

This recipe was shared last week when my husband and I were in Cape Cod visiting our friends Noreen and Avi. Since the four of us are all friends with another couple in the area, Noreen invited them for a dinner party one evening.

They Ate Salmon; I Ate Tofu
Noreen's menu included a delightful summer chilled homemade gazpacho, a fresh garden salad, farm fresh corn on the cob, and baked salmon, Since I don't eat salmon, Noreen bought some tofu for me. 

While we women were in the kitchen enjoying some wine and heating up the dinner, my friend Helaine looked at the tofu that was still lingering in its original package and asked, "How are you going to prepare the tofu? " I had totally forgotten about it and was about to say I'll just eat it the way it is, when Helaine suggested that I make "crispy tofu" which can be made rather easily and quickly. 

I followed her easy directions and was surprised how delicious it came out since it was baked, not fried.

Free photos of Tofu

After cutting the tofu into cubes (or larger flat rectangles) and pressing it, I seasoned the tofu with gluten-free Tamari sauce, non-GMO cornstarch, and a little water. 

I could have also added garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, sesame seeds or any seasoning of my choice. It then goes in the oven or air-fryer for 20 minutes and it comes out crispy and delicious. (I made it again at home with sesame seeds).

Free photos of Broccoli

That night, I ate the tofu mixed into my salad, but it could be enjoyed over rice or quinoa or even with some steamed broccoli.

crispy tofu with salad


This recipe meets gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free standards.


Ingredients: 
3 ounces per person of cubed tofu
1 tablespoon of cornstarch per person
2 tablespoons of Tamari sauce per person
1 tablespoon of water per person
Other options: When on cookie sheet, toss in sesame seeds, sprinkle with paprika for additional color, or add garlic powder to the sauce. 

Directions: 
Preheat oven or air fryer to bake to 400 degrees
Cube tofu, press slightly to release extra water and set aside. 
In a small cereal size bowl combine cornstarch, tamari sauce, and water. Pour over the tofu and distribute evenly. Cook on a parchment covered pan and bake for 20 minutes. Serve immediately.



white cone hydrangeas

Hydrangeas in Cape Cod
Beautiful hydrangeas grow throughout Cape Cod, Massachusettes July through September. Hydrangeas are a popular flowering bush in Cape Cod that bloom in all shapes, colors, and sizes.
 
In fact, there is a Cape Cod Hydrangea Society whose mission is to share information about hydrangeas and spread the enjoyment of viewing them. The society helps host the annual Hydrangea Garden Festival at the Cape where over 155 varieties of hydrangeas are displayed yielding thousands of hydrangeas blooms. 

These photos are from the New Seabury community in Mashpee where my friend lives.hydrangeas in Mashpee, Massachusettes


Dinner table hydrangea flowers from Noreen's yard

hydrangea flowers in vase


tofu on salad

MY Notes: cornstarch
1. Most corn and corn products are now-a-days unfortunately grown from genetically modified seeds which helps protect the corn plant from pests. However, many people experience stomach problems (and may not even know the culprit) trying to digest genetically modified produce. Therefore whenever I buy cornstarch, I look for organic or a brand (such as from Whole Foods) that clearly carries the label that states the cornstarch is non-GMO (non- genetically modified). A better substitute might be potato starch which I believe  

8 comments:

  1. I grew up eating tofu and lots of soya products, but at that time we didn't have oven or air fryer. Yours look super duper crispy and perfect. The white hydrangea flowers are really huge.

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  2. I've never tried tofu. I'm glad you shared your experiences with this way of preparing it.

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  3. The hydrangeas are spectacular.

    I just can’t take to tofu but you make it look so good.

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  4. I wonder if this will work for haloummi?
    from Tandy I Lavender and Lime https://tandysinclair.com

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  5. Your tofu bake s great!.We have horrible heat wave with water reductions so my mom's hydrangeas are awful :-(

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  6. Your hydrangeas are outstanding! Fun to learn a new way to cook tofu.

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  7. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
    Those hydrangeas are beautiful.

    All the best Jan

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  8. I must say, that crispy tofu looks quite tasty! That was a good suggestion your friend had. My sister recently got an air fryer and loves it. The shot of your tofu-topped salad is beautiful. As are those of the hydrangeas! I didn't know they were a thing in Massachusetts. Interesting! Sounds like you had a great visit. 🍃

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