Maybe you’ve been here. It’s a parenting moment many of us face, and while it can be surprising, it doesn’t have to be terrifying. What am I talking about? It’s that moment when your kid says, “I think I want to be a vegetarian.” I like to attribute the growing interest in vegetarianism (and veganism) among children and youth to increasingly abundant messaging regarding healthy eating, coupled with kids’ natural affinity for cute animals (and, therefore, an aversion to eating cute animals).
Whatever the motivation, I have always tried hard to support my kids (and their friends) through all their various food phases, preferences, and aversions. These crispy tofu bites are a great way to be sure the non-meat lovers in your life are getting enough protein. It’s easy to make, delicious, and surprisingly satisfying too.
Crispy Tofu Bites
Ingredients
1 block firm tofu, drained
Plain or flavoured olive oil (I like garlic oil)
Nutritional (engevita) yeast flakes *
Plum, honey garlic or barbeque sauce, for dipping
* available at most health food stores
Directions
- Preheat panini press on high heat.
- Cut a portion of the block of tofu into uniform slices no more than 1/4 inch thick. Leftover tofu can be wrapped tightly and refrigerated for 3 days.
- For about half the block of tofu, sliced, you’ll need to pour about 1/2 cup of nutritional yeast onto the centre of a plate.
- Brush both sides of each slice with flavoured (or regular) olive oil.
- Place slices on hot panini grill in a single layer. Cook for 10 – 12 minutes until browned and crispy. Note that you can also cook the tofu in a heavy-duty frying pan over medium to medium-high heat; cook for about 7 minutes, then flip and cook about 7 minutes more until nicely browned on both sides.
- Remove the hot, cooked tofu slices one at a time from the grill and place on the plate with the yeast flakes, pressing down slightly so the flakes adhere. Flip over and repeat with the other side.
- Serve hot, with your favourite dipping sauce.