One in every of my favourite locations on this planet is New Orleans. Louisiana is stuffed with historical past, music, soul, and is residence to a number of the greatest meals I’ve ever tasted. However in case you’re a vegetarian, these choices can really feel somewhat restricted. That’s why I’m excited to introduce our Sheet Pan Cajun Tofu and Greens so you’ll be able to deliver that NOLA vibe into your very personal kitchen. This recipe was impressed by one in all my greatest buddies, Ashley. She’s vegan, lived in New Orleans, and helped me fall in love with one of many best cities on this planet.
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Simple sheet pan cajun tofu and greens Recipe
After I consider basic NOLA eats, dishes like jambalaya, po’boys, and gumbo come to thoughts (psst… take a look at our gumbo recipe!). This recipe is a one-pan, budget-friendly, low-stress, flavor-packed dream I simply can’t appear to get sufficient of. I like utilizing tofu coated in cornstarch because it will get tremendous crispy and, as a result of it’s like somewhat sponge, soaks up all that daring Cajun seasoning and spice such as you wouldn’t imagine. I’ve roasted it alongside bell peppers, onions, and potatoes, so I get an entire meal with none fuss. To deliver these Cajun boil vibes residence, every thing will get drizzled on a candy and spicy butter sauce that makes it delectable and unforgettable. (Swap in non-dairy butter to make it totally vegan!)
To get that Cajun taste profile, I used our selfmade Cajun seasoning recipe and lower it in half, however added somewhat extra salt and pepper. If you need to have the ability to whip up this recipe once more very quickly in any respect, make the total batch and stash half within the pantry. I like all issues spicy, so only a heads up, this dish does have a little bit of a kick. Be happy to change to your spice choice.
Use extra-firm tofu. It’s decrease in water content material, and its dense texture permits it to keep up its form and get crispy on the surface whereas staying tender on the within. You must nonetheless press and drain it so it will get good and crisp and absorbs extra taste.
Change up the flavour profile. One of many issues I like about tofu is that it’s like a sponge and soaks up the flavors. I wish to marinate it in soy sauce, however you can even use tamari, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, herbs, or your favourite sauce.
Clear out the fridge. I used bell peppers and onions to lean into the Cajun vibe. When you’ve got any veggies which are about to go unhealthy, throw them on the sheet pan too.
Sheet Pan Cajun Tofu and Greens
Price $7.50 recipe / $1.88 serving
This Sheet Pan Cajun Tofu and Greens is a one-pan, budget-friendly, low-stress, flavor-packed dream that includes crispy Cajun seasoned tofu and roasted veggies.
Collect and put together all of the substances. Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, whisk collectively the paprika, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. That is the Cajun seasoning; put aside.
Slice the tofu in half lengthwise and lay it flat on a number of layers of paper towels or a tea towel. Cowl with extra paper towels (or fold the tea towel on prime). Gently press out any moisture. Place a weighted sheet pan, books, or a heavy chopping board on prime. Let it drain for not less than 10 minutes.
As soon as the tofu is drained, lower it into ½ -1-inch cubes and pat dry. Place them in a medium-sized bowl and gently fold them, utilizing a rubber spatula, within the soy sauce to allow them to take up the flavour.
Subsequent, drizzle and fold the tofu in 1 Tbsp of vegetable oil. Then, fold the tofu within the cornstarch and half of the Cajun seasoning. Unfold the tofu on one aspect of the sheet pan in an excellent layer.
Add the lower potatoes into the identical bowl and toss in 1 Tbsp vegetable oil and the remaining Cajun seasoning. Place them on the opposite half of the sheet tray in an excellent, flat layer.
Place the pan within the preheated oven and cook dinner for 25 minutes. Whereas cooking, place the bell peppers and onions in the identical bowl. Toss with the remaining oil and put aside.
After 25 minutes, flip the tofu (I did this with tongs for precision). Add the bell peppers and onion to the aspect with the potatoes. Toss them collectively, then lay the greens and potatoes in an excellent, flat layer.
Prepare dinner for an extra 25 minutes till the veggies are tender.
Take away the sheet pan from the oven. In a small bowl, whisk collectively the melted butter, brown sugar, and scorching sauce till the sugar dissolves. Drizzle the butter over the tofu and veggies, gently toss, and revel in. This step is non-obligatory; you’ll be able to omit or use a non-dairy butter for a vegan dish.
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**I like Louisiana scorching sauce, however be at liberty to make use of your favourite and regulate accordingly, as this dish is a contact spicy.
Serving: 1servingEnergy: 351kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 12gFats: 18gSodium: 726mgFiber: 5g
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methods to make sheet pan cajun tofu and greens step-by-step pictures
Collect your substances and preheat the oven: Collect and put together all of the substances. Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. I cooked this sheet pan meal at a excessive warmth, 425°F, as a result of I needed to roast the veggies and get the tofu crispy.
Make the seasoning: In a small bowl, mix 1 tsp paprika, ½ tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp dried thyme, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp onion powder, ⅛ tsp cayenne, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp pepper to make the Cajun seasoning. Set it apart whilst you full the following few steps.
Put together the tofu: Slice one block of tofu in half lengthwise and lay it flat on prime of a number of layers of paper towels or a tea towel. Cowl the tofu with extra paper towels or use a tea towel to wrap the tofu and gently press out the moisture. Use a weighted sheet pan, books, or a heavy chopping board and place it on prime to squeeze out extra of the moisture. I wish to let the tofu sit like this for not less than 10 minutes. This may assist the tofu take up extra taste.
As soon as the tofu is drained, pat it dry after which lower it into ½ -1″ cubes. Place the cubes in a medium-sized bowl and gently combine with 1 tbsp of soy sauce. Tofu is delicate, and I needed to be light, so I selected a rubber spatula.
Subsequent, drizzle and fold the tofu in 1 Tbsp vegetable oil. Then, fold the tofu in 1 Tbsp cornstarch and half the Cajun seasoning. Don’t skip the cornstarch; this helps make the tofu crispier.
Unfold the tofu cubes out on one aspect of the sheet pan in an excellent layer.
Put together the potatoes: Add 3 cups lower potatoes into the identical bowl and toss in 1 Tbsp vegetable oil and the remaining Cajun seasoning.
Place the potatoes on the opposite half of the sheet tray, additionally in an excellent, flat layer. Don’t clear out the bowl.
Bake: Place the pan within the preheated oven and cook dinner for 25 minutes. Whereas cooking, place the two bell peppers and onion in the identical bowl. Toss with the remaining oil and put aside.
After 25 minutes, flip the tofu. I used tongs for precision. Add the bell peppers and onion to the aspect with the potatoes. Toss all of them collectively, then unfold the greens and potatoes out in an excellent, flat layer.
Prepare dinner for an extra 25 minutes till the veggies are tender.
Make the butter drizzle: Take away the sheet pan from the oven. In a small bowl, whisk 2 Tbsp butter, ½ Tbsp brown sugar, and ½ Tbsp scorching sauce till the sugar dissolves.
Drizzle this butter combination over the tofu and veggies, tossing gently so they’re nicely coated.
Serve: Serve the tofu and veggies and revel in.
serving recommendations
Although I’ve acquired myself lined with protein, veggies, and a few carbs, I nonetheless wish to spherical out the meal with one thing further. I normally begin with both a comfy bowl of butternut squash soup or a crisp Caesar salad for a recent distinction. And in relation to dessert, it’s all the time a tricky name—most of the time, I’m torn between a slice of wealthy chess pie or a basic pecan pie to finish the meal on a candy be aware.
Storage and Reheating
Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. I don’t advocate freezing cooked tofu because the thawing course of could make the feel dry and chewy. You’ll be able to, nonetheless, freeze the raw tofu. This truly helps it take up marinades and sauces higher by leaving air pockets from the ice crystals after it thaws.
