Probably every vegan has tried tofu at least once. Some people like it, but many say that it tastes simply terrible. Well, the secret hides in the way how you prepare it. The same goes for meat – I really doubt that there are many people in the world who’d say that unseasoned boiled chicken breast is crazily delicious. But once you add the right seasoning, the right vegetables and the right sauces, everything changes. That’s why I believe that even tofu haters could learn to love it with my easy vegan lemon tofu recipe!
As you probably understand, the flavor of this dish is somehow sour. But I must admit that it’s not disturbingly sour, because with the added sweet and salty notes the outcome is really pleasant. Basically, the combination of the three flavors is given by lemon juice, agave syrup and soy sauce. I prefer to eat this easy vegan lemon tofu with rice, but you can eat it also with steamed vegetables, bread or even pasta.
How to make your tofu taste good
Tofu in general is like a sponge. The biggest mistake that first-timers usually do, is trying tofu that has not been pressed. Of course, some people like it like that, but in my opinion it’s one of the main reasons why other people hate it. The truth is that you can actually make tofu taste exactly as you want. Once you press it, that is, once you press out as much liquid from it as you can, it is basically tasteless. But because of its sponge-like texture it is ready to soak up any kind of marinades, sauces or other cooking liquids. So, basically, to make your tofu taste good, you need to press it and, most importantly, give it some flavor! Even a few drops of soy sauce can completely change the flavor of tofu.
How to make easy vegan lemon tofu
First, you need to press your tofu for at least 30 minutes before using it. If you don’t have the special tofu press, just wrap the tofu in some paper towel and place on top of it a heavy frying pan, some books or anything else that will provide pressure, but won’t crush it. Once the tofu is pressed, it’s time to give it some flavor! Cut the tofu block in small cubes, place them in a bowl and pour over some soy sauce and lemon juice. Mix and set aside. After some minutes you’ll see that tofu has soaked up all the liquid. Then it’s time to bake it in the oven. You can also cook it in frying pan in a bit of oil, but be aware that tofu will soak up also that oil. So, for a healthier version, I recommend you baking it in the oven.
While tofu is baking, put your chosen side dish to cook, for example, rice. Then cut the leek in small pieces and cook it until soft. Then add lemon zest, lemon juice, soy sauce, agave syrup and vegetable broth and cook it on low heat/flame for a few minutes. Taste the liquid and, if necessary, regulate the salinity/sweetness/acidity by adding extra soy sauce, agave syrup or lemon juice. At this point tofu should be ready, so take it out of the oven. In a glass mix cornstarch with water and add it into the frying pan. Immediately add also chopped parsley and sesame seeds. Once the liquid starts to become thicker, add the tofu cubes and mix well in order to coat them with the lemon sauce. Serve immediately with the side dish of your choice.
Other refreshing vegan dishes
If you like lemon flavor not only in desserts, but also in main dishes, you should also try my vegan lemon garlic pasta. Or you can go for another interesting combination of flavors by trying my quinoa salad with pineapple and ginger. But if you prefer something more traditional that still includes citrus fruits, my creamy vegan lime and avocado cheesecake is perfect for you! Also Specky likes citrus fruits, but he’s more into oranges. That’s why from the ingredients for my easy vegan lemon tofu recipe he appreciated only the parsley!
If you’ve never tried tofu or if you’ve tried it, but you didn’t like it, I say – give it another chance with my lemon tofu recipe, which will surprise you by being:
-
vegan
- easy to make
- refreshing
- healthy
- flavorful
- low-fat
- pleasantly sweet & sour at the same time
- and simply yummy!
Let me know, if you try this recipe! Leave a comment or even more – make Specky happy! Snap a picture of your masterpiece and post it on Instagram or Facebook by tagging @bunnymommycooks. And feel free to let your animal family members join in the picture!
| Prep Time | 10 min |
| Cook Time | 20 min |
| Servings |
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- 250 g of extra firm or firm tofu (already pressed at least 30 minutes before using)
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- 100 g of leek
- 50 ml of vegetable broth
- 3 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of agave syrup
- 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon of grated lemon zest
- 10 g of fresh chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon of cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons of water
- some oil for cooking
- 160 g of rice (or other side dish of your choice)
Ingredients
For the oven-baked tofu:
For the lemon sauce:
Other ingredients:
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- heat the oven to 220°C/430°F and meanwhile cut the pressed tofu block in small cubes. Then place them in a bowl, pour over soy sauce and lemon juice, mix well and set aside for a few minutes;
- line a baking tray with parchment paper and once the oven is hot enough, place the tofu cubes on the baking tray by avoiding that they touch each other. Place the baking tray in the oven and bake the tofu cubes for 10 – 15 minutes;
- put your chosen side dish, for example, rice, to cook;
- while tofu is baking, cut the leek in small pieces and cook it in a frying pan in small amount of oil for a few minutes until it becomes soft;
- add grated lemon zest, lemon juice, soy sauce, agave syrup and vegetable broth into the frying pan, mix well and let it cook on low heat/flame for a few minutes. Do some tasting and, if necessary, regulate the salinity/sweetness/acidity by adding extra soy sauce, agave syrup or lemon juice;
- once the tofu has become slightly brown (be careful not to burn it!), take it out from the oven and set aside;
- in a glass mix together cornstarch with water and add it into the frying pan. Immediately add also chopped parsley and sesame seeds and mix everything together. Once the liquid starts to become thicker, add the tofu cubes and mix well in order to coat them with the lemon sauce;
- serve immediately with the side dish of your choice.
