Tofu Fajita

Preparation and cooking time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

Tofu block – approx 16 oz (see Cook’s Note below)
1 red and 1 yellow bell pepper
½ red onion
2 or 3 Portobello mushrooms
Olive oil
¼ tsp crushed red chilies
½ tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp chili powder.
½ tsp oregano
Black pepper to taste
2 tbsp Soy Sauce
Juice from ½ lemon (about 2 Tbs)

Preparation

1. Cut thawed tofu into ¼ inch thick strips.
2. Slice bell pepper, onion, and mushrooms into thin strips.
3. Cover bottom of frying pan with a thin layer of olive oil (or other cooking oil), and heat over medium heat.
4. Add all spices and mix well.
5. Add tofu strips and stir fry until tofu begins to brown.
6. Add all vegetables and continue to stir fry.
7. Sprinkle with pepper.
8. Add Soy Sauce.
9. Add lemon juice.
10. Continue to stir fry until tofu is nicely browned and the vegetables are lightly cooked.

• Add Soy Sauce and lemon juice as needed if mixture begins to look too dry
• Soy Sauce contains salt, so no additional salt should be necessary.

Serving Suggestions

Place tofu/veggie mixture into a heated tortilla for a hot and scrumptious fajita! Serve with avocado and salad.
Or… fold mixture into pita bread and serve with hummus and fresh tomato for a delicious and healthy meal!

Makes 4 to 6 fajitas or pita sandwiches.

Cook’s Note:

Tofu must be frozen then thawed to create the desired texture.

To freeze tofu simply place the unopened package directly in the freezer for several hours.

To thaw tofu:

Move tofu from freezer to the refrigerator the previous night. It will be sufficiently thawed for use by dinnertime.

Quick-thaw method:

Remove tofu from package and place in a pan of water. Bring water to a boil and let boil for about 10 minutes or until the tofu is sufficiently thawed.

For both thawing methods, once tofu is thawed, place in a colander and press with a spatula to squeeze out excess water. If using the quick-thaw method – BE CAREFUL – the water will be HOT!

Veggie Tofu Fajitas

Tofu is a great protein source that many vegetarians turn to, simply because it takes on the tastes of any flavorings and spices that you use. Veggie Tofu Fajitas are a great way to enjoy tofu and they will fill your need for some Mexican. Using some veggies, spices, tofu and tortillas, you have a healthy, tasty filling meal.

The night before you make this for your family, you will want to freeze the tofu for a few hours and then let sit in the refrigerator overnight. This will allow the tofu to thaw enough for use and give it the consistency that you want. Freezing and thawing it will give it a firmer consistency, much like meat. This step is not one that you want to skip, as it will give just the right texture for fajitas. If you don’t have time to thaw it or forget, place the tofu in a pan of boiling water for about ten minutes until thawed.

Now that you have your tofu ready, go ahead and slice all of your veggies and your tofu into strips. Pour your oil into the pan and add your herbs and spices. Doing this first will allow the herbs to all comingle and bring out more of the taste from them. Allow the spices and herbs to toast for about a minute or so and add the tofu strips. Allow the tofu to cook for a few minutes before adding the veggies. This gives the spices a chance to coat the tofu and make it more flavorful.

Add the soy sauce to the veggie and tofu. This adds color and salt to the tofu. Squeeze your lemon into the tofu mixture and continue to stir fry until the tofu is lightly browned and the vegetables are cooked. If you notice the mixture getting a little dry, add more soy sauce and lemon.

Now you are ready to serve the Veggie Tofu Fajitas. There are many different ways that you can serve it, including on a tortilla with your choice or toppings, like salsa, guacamole and cheese, or you can serve it on a pita with a little hummus or cucumber with yogurt. This will give you a little variety in your tastes and allow you to make everyone in your family happy.

Don’t be scared of tofu. It can replace poultry and meat to help you to eat healthier and will go with a variety of different tastes and flavors. This is what causes many people to choose tofu as their protein source. It is widely available, too, at your local store. If you are a vegetarian and looking for a great meal to share with your family, Veggie Tofu Fajitas is a great choice.