It is hard to believe, but there was a time in my life when I had no idea what to do with tofu! Now we enjoy this versatile food all of the time.

If you’re where I used to be, I’d highly recommend this quick, easy, and delicious recipe. You’ll find yourself making it again and again. 

– Linda

Coconut-Encrusted Tofu Cutlets 

Ingredients:
14 to 16 ounces regular tofu, drained. Don’t use silken tofu, and do use extra-firm or even super firm.
2/3 unsweetened dried coconut — shredded is best.
1/3 cup oat bran, or wheat germ, or, or ground macadamia nuts (my last variation)
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1/3 cup tamari or soy sauce

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking sheet or unbleached parchment paper.

Cut the tofu into 12 or 24 pieces, depending on how many pieces you want for each person.

Whisk together the coconut, wheat germ or other ingredient choice, turmeric, and cayenne. Pour the soy sauce or tamari into a bowl. Dip each cutlet into the soy sauce, and immediately dip it into the coconut mixture. Coat the tofu pieces well. Put the tofu cutlets on the prepared baking sheet.

Tent a piece of foil over the cutlets, being careful to keep the foil from lying on the top of the pieces. I place a metal tea strainer in the middle of the sheet as a foil tent pole. Bake for 35 minute. To have golden, crunchy cutlets, remove the foil, and bake until the cutlets are golden and crunchy. This will vary with taste and ovens, but I baked them for an additional 15 minutes.

Adapted from Jazzy Vegetarian Classics by Laura Theodore. Hmm…everything in the book is vegan, so why not say so?

I made a dip with 1 can Great Northern beans, 4 tablespoons macadamia nut butter, 4 tablespoons of my homemade grainy, white wine mustard, 4 tablespoons nutritional yeast, 4 tablespoons soy sauce, and 2 tablespoons maple syrup, and about 1/4 cup water. Blend until smooth.

I’ll admit that my fellow Triangle Chance for All board member, Rosemary, and I ate an entire batch while discussing our plans for future rescues. Vegan food is the only possibility when saving lives is the goal!