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Marry Me Tofu in Sun-Dried Tomato Garlic Spinach Cream Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 67 reviews

Marry Me Tofu is a flavorful vegan dish featuring crispy pan-fried super firm tofu cooked in a rich, creamy sun-dried tomato and cashew cream sauce infused with garlic, oregano, and fresh herbs. This comforting and hearty recipe is perfect for a satisfying plant-based meal served over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread.

Ingredients

Scale

Tofu

  • 16 ounces super firm tofu (or extra-firm, pressed well)
  • 4 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons avocado oil (or other high-heat safe oil)

Sauce

  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 1 teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 cup cashew cream (or other vegan cream)
  • 2 cups baby spinach, sliced or chopped
  • 4–5 fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 1/2 cup vegan Parmesan (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pan Fry the Tofu: Remove your super firm tofu from the package and pat it dry thoroughly with a paper towel to eliminate excess moisture. Slice the tofu into small triangles or any preferred shape for even cooking.
  2. Prepare Tofu Coating: In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch, nutritional yeast, salt, and ground black pepper, stirring well to evenly mix the dry ingredients.
  3. Heat Oil: Place a large non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add the avocado oil, allowing it to heat up properly before frying.
  4. Coat and Fry Tofu: Dunk each tofu piece into the cornstarch mixture ensuring a full coating, then carefully place them in the hot skillet. Pan fry each side for about 4 minutes until crispy and golden brown. Use a spatula or fork to gently loosen and flip the pieces for even cooking on both sides.
  5. Set Aside Tofu and Prepare Pan: Remove the tofu from the skillet and place it on a plate. Reduce the heat to low-medium, allowing the pan to cool slightly. If excess cornstarch remains in the pan, carefully wipe it out to prevent burning and bitterness during sauce preparation.
  6. Cook Garlic: Using the same skillet, add minced garlic over low-medium heat and sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant. Add an additional tablespoon of oil if needed to prevent sticking.
  7. Add Flavorings: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, red chili flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook this mixture for about 1 minute to enhance the flavors.
  8. Add Liquids and Spinach: Pour in the vegetable broth, tomato paste, and cashew cream. Add the baby spinach and stir well to combine all ingredients.
  9. Simmer Sauce: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for approximately 5 minutes until warm and the spinach has wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper or chili flakes as desired.
  10. Finish Sauce and Combine: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the fresh chopped basil and optional vegan Parmesan cheese. Carefully place the fried tofu pieces back into the sauce and gently flip them to coat evenly with the creamy sauce.
  11. Serve: Serve immediately with your choice of rice, cooked pasta, or fresh crusty bread for a complete and comforting meal.

Notes

  • Use super firm or extra-firm tofu pressed very well to get the best crispy texture.
  • If you don’t have cashew cream, you can substitute with other vegan cream alternatives such as coconut cream, vegan sour cream, or silken tofu blended until smooth.
  • Adjust red chili flakes to your preferred spice level.
  • Make sure to remove excess cornstarch buildup in the pan before making the sauce to avoid burning and bitterness.
  • Optional vegan Parmesan adds an extra layer of cheesy flavor, but the dish is delicious without it as well.
  • This dish pairs well with rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Keywords: Marry Me Tofu, vegan tofu recipe, crispy tofu, sun-dried tomato sauce, cashew cream sauce, plant-based main dish, easy tofu recipe

Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/marry-me-tofu-in-sun-dried-tomato-garlic-spinach-cream-sauce-recipe/