Packaged baked tofu is the vegetarian equivalent of rotisserie chicken. You can buy it and do about a gazillion different things with it. Yes, a gazillion. I've counted. Throw a slab of it on a bun and top it with slaw, cube it and put it in salad, add it to a veggie stir fry, eat it as-is--it's so versatile! Back in the day, before this whole food blogging thing, I used to always keep a package or two in the fridge for quick dinners when I didn't feel like cooking.
I had the idea to do this Peanutty Quinoa Bowl recipe with store-bought baked tofu, but then I forgot to buy it. It actually wasn't my fault--Whole Foods keeps moving things around and the baked tofu wasn't where it used to be and when it wasn't in its usual place, I was totally thrown off and forgot about it. Oops! Driving all the way back to Whole Foods for a package of tofu seemed silly, so I thought, hey, I'll make my own baked tofu!
This recipe is similar to my Baked Barbecue Tofu, but the whole barbecue sauce thing can be a little bit limiting. Do you want barbecue sauce in your stir fry or salad? Maybe not. If you're still skeptical about tofu, try it baked--really, I think you'll change your mind. It's marinated so it's flavorful, not bland. Using a tofu press helps the tofu absorb as much of the marinade as possible. Baking it makes it chewy, not mushy. Barbecue tofu is awesome, but this baked tofu recipe has a savory Asian-inspired flavor that makes it work in a variety of dishes--stir fries, salads, and especially Peanutty Quinoa Bowls.
Peanutty Quinoa Bowls? Yes! These are so easy. You toss some quinoa and some veggies with peanut sauce and serve it with a few slices of baked tofu (either homemade or store-bought). You can do this! This recipe makes two servings; if you're not sharing, throw the second bowl in the fridge and eat it tomorrow.
Ingredients
For the Baked Tofu
- 3 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- black pepper to taste
- 15 oz extra firm tofu drained and pressed for 30 minutes, cut into 8 slices
For the Quinoa Bowls
- ½ cup quinoa
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 small red bell pepper seeded and diced
- 1 small broccoli crown broken into florets
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tsp tamari or soy sauce
- ½ tsp brown sugar or coconut sugar
- ½ tsp freshly grated ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp chopped roasted peanuts
Instructions
For the Baked Tofu
- Preheat oven to 400ºF. Spray a baking sheet with oil or cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
- Whisk together the tamari, maple syrup, olive oil, garlic, and pepper in a small baking dish.
- Place the tofu in the dish and let it marinate for about 30 minutes, flipping the tofu over after about 15 minutes. The tofu should soak up almost all of the marinade.
- Place the tofu on the baking sheet and bake for about 40 minutes, or until edges are dark and tofu is chewy, turning tofu over halfway through cooking time. Set aside.
For the Quinoa Bowls
- Cook the quinoa in water or vegetable broth according to package directions.
- While the quinoa is cooking, heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the red pepper and cook for about 3 minutes, until softened. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the broccoli to the skillet with 2 tablespoons of water. Cover and steam for about 2 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender. Transfer the broccoli to the bowl with the pepper.
- Toss the cooked quinoa with the veggies, and set aside.
- Whisk the peanut butter, lime juice, water, tamari, sugar, and ginger in a small bowl. Toss with the quinoa and veggies. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Divide the quinoa into 2 bowls, then top each with the slices of tofu and a tablespoon of chopped peanuts.
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
Drooling over this recipe!!! YUM!!
Emma says
I love baked tofu but don't make it enough. I usually use the Asian Marinated Tofu recipe from Veganomicon which is similar but a little more complicated than yours.
I don't know why I haven't thought to mix peanut sauce with quinoa before. In my head peanut sauce is for noodles but now my horizons have been broadened!!
Kiersten says
I could put peanut sauce on practically anything. 🙂 I just steamed some kale and had it with peanut sauce for lunch today!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
I love quinoa, and that baked tofu looks a lot like chicken. Yum! Don't you just hate it when the stores rearrange? You get accustomed to one layout then, boom, change.
Kiersten says
I know! I hate change! It just makes me feel so... unsettled.
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Yum! I do something similar with isreali cous cous and it is totally delicious. Everyone needs to make this!
Kiersten says
Israeli couscous is the most delicious kind of couscous, isn't it?
Caitlin says
to say that i'm skeptical about tofu is an understatement. i have literally NEVER prepared it. but, your description of buying baked tofu peaked my interest. and this bowl would be the perfect way to try it!
ps- my whole foods is changing everything around, too. every week when i'm in line, i have to run back and frantically try to find the item i forgot.
Kiersten says
It took me a LONG time to warm up to tofu. Chris used to get it and I'd be like, "And that tastes good? You're a liar." But baked tofu is definitely tofu for people who hate tofu.
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen says
This is right up my alley! I love it!
Thanks for posting about baked tofu. I attempted baked tofu once before and it was a total failure - well, as much of a failure as it could possibly be. Probably just not cooked long enough. I've been wanting to make it again, but wasn't really wowed by anything I was finding.
Kiersten says
Yeah, if you don't cook it long enough, it's just kind of... hot slabs of tofu. 😉 You have to almost cook it longer than you think you should (40 minutes!!!) for it to get chewy and browned on the edges. That's when the magic happens!
Martina says
I've never made baked tofu but have enjoyed at restaurants (I like that it's not mushy). You've inspired me to make my own but I have a question: How do you "press" the tofu? Thanks.
Kiersten says
If you make tofu a lot (like I do!), I'd suggest purchasing a tofu press. They can be a little bit pricey though, so another way to do it is to put the tofu between two plates or cutting boards and put something heavy on top to press the liquid out. There's a picture of it in this post: http://www.bhg.com/blogs/delish-dish/2013/08/20/guest-blogger-oh-my-veggies/
Kimberly says
In regards to the tofu in the recipe, what do you mean by: "pressed for 30 minutes" ?
Kiersten says
I have a tofu press, but you can also put the tofu between two plates or cutting boards and put weight on top (cans, jars, etc.). You can see an example here: http://www.bhg.com/blogs/delish-dish/2013/08/20/guest-blogger-oh-my-veggies/. It's the best way to prepare tofu because by pressing the liquid out, the texture improves and the tofu is able to absorb marinades better. I never make tofu without pressing it first! 🙂
Ash-foodfashionparty says
I love this bowl. I sometimes crave some goodness like this when I am alone and it is so perfect with the crunch and that baked tofu.
Kiersten says
I always make things like this when my husband is out of town. 🙂 It's nice to just throw together whatever we have on hand and make a meal out of it!
dixya| food, pleasure, and health says
i have never ever tried baked tofu but this is def something I want to eat and the bowl looks delicious.
Kiersten says
You should definitely try it! It's one of my favorite ways to prepare tofu.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Baked tofu is one of my favorite things!! I have been having major cravings for it lately.
Kiersten says
I used to eat sooooo much of it when I was in school--definitely one of my favorites too!
Patricia says
What a great idea!! I always have a pkg. of Trader Joe's baked tofu on hand, but this would so easy to make. Thanks for sharing!!
Kiersten says
I love the packaged kind, but it's so good when you make it yourself! 🙂
Gretchen @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
I can't stand when grocery stores get rearranged! I can never figure out where anything is! By the time I learn my way around, it's time for a remodel! And don't get me started on when they redesign packaging!!
The peanut butter quinoa is calling my name! I love quinoa, I love peanut butter ... sounds perfect to me! Thanks for a great recipe!
Kiersten says
I know, it totally throws me off. The least they could do is put up a sign saying, "Tofu is now in this aisle!" Gah.
Natalie @ Once Upon a Cutting Board says
This bowl looks so comforting! From the sounds of baked tofu I think I'd like it, and it would be a lot cheaper than meat too! I also love anything with peanut sauce and I can't believe I haven't thought to combine it with quinoa before!
Kiersten says
Yes, it's definitely cheaper than meat! 🙂 And probably easier to make too!
Alissa @ Connoisseurus Veg says
I wanted to do something with quinoa and tofu for dinner today. I was brainstorming this morning and then I saw this, so of course I had to make it. It was so delicious! Love the gingery-peanutty flavor in the quinoa. I threw a few scallions on top as well, because I tend to throw them in everything. Thanks so much - your recipes always turn out awesome!
Kiersten says
Thank you--I'm glad you enjoyed it! 😀
Ruta says
Love this so much! Once I tried coating tofu with peanut sauce and baking, and this reminds me a bit of this. Totally going to make this sometime!
Kiersten says
I love the idea of baking tofu with peanut sauce--yum!
[email protected]'s Recipes says
Peanutty quinoa and baked tofu....a heavenly combo, Kiersten.
Stephanie @ henry happened says
this is a fabulous idea! I made tofu this week and this kids wouldn't touch it. I wonder if they would eat this? It looks so much tastier than my version 🙂
Kiersten says
Yeah, I bet they'd like it if you marinate it first! 🙂
honeywhatscooking says
I love cooking with quinoa and Asian food.. I usually saute fry my tofu, need to bake it and see how it turns out. Thanks for sharing.
Kiersten says
Definitely try it--it's so good!
Amanda Gilds says
Yum...baked Tofu. The first time I ever tried it, I was with a Vegan friend in a little deli and it was baked. It was magic. MAGIC. Now I want some baked tofu. I will have to try this recipe this weekend!
Kiersten says
Yes, it definitely is magic! I tell everyone, if you think you don't like tofu, try it baked. 🙂
Katie (The Muffin Myth) says
You know, I've had a hankering for quinoa this week after eschewing it for many months. This may be the thing that takes me back, and the baked tofu looks awesome. No Whole Foods where I live (insert pouty face here) so making it at home is my only option. Thanks for the recipe!
Kiersten says
Well, lucky for you, making it home is delicious! Although a little less convenient.
Eat Good 4 Life says
What a great method for the tofu. We eat tons of tofu so I will be keeping this one in mind for future consumption 🙂 It will sure be a different way to prepare the tofu for us.
Kiersten says
It's so good--definitely give it a try! 🙂
Brenda Williams says
That is the best looking tofu I have ever seen. Sounds yummy too.
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Drooooool... loving the marinate for tofu. it can be so bland and marinate definitely ups the flavor!
Kiersten says
Yes, it is SO much better when you marinate it!
Edvin says
Made this today and it was awsome. Really good!
Kiersten says
Thanks for your comment--I'm glad you enjoyed it!