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Friday, January 21, 2011

The Betty Crocker Project : Macaroni Salad with Peppered Baked Tofu

Peta2's Christina Freeman Approving.
This recipe is potluck tested and approved!

Today is Squirrel Appreciation Day and so peta2 decided to celebrate in style... friendly neighborhood potluck style that is. As always there was a pretty impressive spread ranging from spring rolls to chocolate cake from peta2's Vegan College Cookbook. Now Betty's Macaroni Salad is made with Tuna and some different seasoning but we went with baked tofu because it's kinda the new trend around The Shannon Homestead these days. A trend that I hope will make the world a better place for potlucks and BBQs everywhere. Kind of a Act Locally - Think Globally thing.

There are lots of photos to go with this one - Are your vegan-senses tingling yet?*


Macaroni Salad with Peppered Baked Tofu
  • 1 Package Extra Firm Tofu (drained, frozen over night and then defrosted)
  • 1 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
  • 2 Cloves Garlic (minced)
  • 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 3 Tablespoons and 1 Teaspoon Braggs
  • Dash of Liquid Smoke
  • 3 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
  • 1 Package Elbow Macaroni (cooked per instructions on package)
  • 3/4 Cup Frozen Peas
  • 1 Cup Veganaise
  • 1/2 Cup Daiya Vegan Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
  • 1/4 Cup Sweet Pickle Relish
  • 4 Stalks Celery (diced)
  • 1 Red Onion (diced)
  • 1 Teaspoon Celery Seed
  • 2 Tablespoon Nutritional Yeast
  • 2 Tablespoons Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning
  • 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
In shallow dish, add Black Pepper, Olive Oil, 2 Tablespoons of Lemon Juice, Liquid Smoke and Braggs. Cut your Tofu into peices that are as even as possible - so when they are baking they all bake evenly. Then marinade your slices in the Oil and Pepper Mix for 1 hour.

The road to delicious is often paved with Olive Oil and Liquid Smoke.

Heat oven to 400.

Cook Macaroni per instructions on the package. Once you drain the cooked Macaroni, gently mix in the Frozen Peas with the hot pasta.The steam will defrost your peas. Then take the mix and put it in the oven. I did this all in our colander. But if yours isn't big like ours - you may have to move into a large bowl to mix and chill.

Cover a cookie sheet with foil and place your Marinaded Tofu Slices on there about an inch apart. Keep your leftover Marinade. Bake for 20 minutes then flip and bake for another 20 minutes. You want them to be crispy and golden brown.

I don't mean to brag or anything but even Monet didn't make Baked Tofu this pretty.

After your Tofu has been baking for 20 minutes, take your Macaroni Mix from the fridge and put it in a large mixing bowl if you haven't already. Then gently stir in Red Onions, Daiya Vegan Cheese, Celery, PIckle Relish and leftover Marniade. Once that is mixed, return your bowl to the fridge. Once your Tofu is done baking, let cool for around 10 minutes and then cut into bite sized pieces.

Then take your Macaroni Mix from the Fridge and gently stir on your Tofu Pieces. In a small bowl, blend Veganaise, the remaining Lemon Juice, Nutritional Yeast, Celery Seed, Creole Seasoning and Garlic Powder with a whisk. Then mix the Macaroni and Tofu Mix with the Seasoned Veganiaise, cover with foil and chill in the fridge for 45 minutes. Then you're good to go kick ass and appreciate some squirrels.

The Debut!
* Sorry had to post it someday - why not today? Excelsior!

6 comments:

  1. Wow, sounds amazing! And a Happy Squirrel Appreciation Day to you!

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  2. Hey Annie, the baked tofu sounds great! Can you explain the freeze/defrost process a little bit? Is that just to firm it up or does it change it in some other way? How long do you let it defrost? Thanks, Tofu Noob

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  3. Hi: Just found your blog this am. You have lots of great stuff. I'm really happy that you also are a trekkie. My husband doesn't understand that.
    I noticed for a lot of your recipes you use commercially made seitan. I'm in Southern Ontario, Canada and needless to say there is not a wide range of choices. Do you have a homemade seitan recipe you recommend?

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  4. I can't believe I missed Squirrel Appreciation day! This looks yummy though and I am totally bringing it to my next pot luck.

    Side note: I don't have Bragg's. Can I use Tamari instead?

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  5. Hey - I am so sorry it has taken me so long to answer these questions. I just saw them. I'm not sure if you all will ever see these - but if you do - I hope this is helpful.

    Yes - Tamari is a great substitute for Braggs. It will give you a similar savory/beefy flavor

    The freezing process for the tofu does 2 things really. It takes a lot of the moisture out of the tofu making it more chewy - which sounds weird and not good but it really is.

    It's a pretty easy process. really you just try to gently press out as much moisture as you can from the tofu when you first remove it from the package. Then wrap it in tin foil and freeze it over night - don't worry really if it is in there like 24 hours or 18 - it just needs to be frozen. about an hour before you are ready to start cooking, pull it out of the oven and let it defrost on a plate with some paper towels. It drain out any excess moisture and the paper towels will soak them up. Once the tofu is defrosted enough that when you touch it - it feels as soft as it did when you removed it from the package - well you can start slicing it up and cooking!

    I hope that helps - sorry I missed these questions.

    I do have a seitan recipe I like a lot. I'll post it soon.

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  6. man this was deeeeeeriscious! i was going to just use old bay but i happened to see the exact seasoning you mentioned, and it turned out fantastic! love your blog btw

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