Crunch Time!

Tofu is often referred to as an "acquired taste". I don't necessarily agree with that, but I sure don't disagree with it either! Tofu is a formidable meat alternative for those with allergies like mine that have limited options for meat, and sometimes, no matter how many creative ways we come up with the cook chicken... it can be just be plain boring.

Know what's not boring? A fun tofu recipe with CRUNCH! (Plus a little 'side dish' for all you former fast-food junkies out there!)

Behold:

Kath's Crunchy Tofu Sticks

with Garlic-Pecan Onion "Rings"

For tofu:

1 egg

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2 tbsp. lime juice

350 g of extra firm tofu, cut into about 20 strips (I prefer "Sunrise" brand)

1/2 cup Kinnickinnick gluten free Panko style bread crumbs

1/2 cup gluten and dairy free crushed yellow corn chips

2 tbsp. garlic powder

2 tbsp. onion powder

1 tbsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. thyme

1/2 tsp. rosemary

pinch of salt & pepper

ketchup (optional)

Heat oven to 350F. 

Whisk egg and lime juice together in small bowl for dipping. Combine dry ingredients (excluding tofu) on small, flat board or plate for coating. Once you have cut the tofu into strips, dunk into egg, then coat with corn chip mixture. Place coated strips onto oiled (or cooking sprayed) cookie sheet, and sprinkle a pinch of corn chip mixture on top of each.

Once all tofu strips have been coated, place tofu in oven and set timer for 20 minutes.
I would be curious to see how this turns out with chicken, turkey or pork "fingers"! If you try it, let me know! I will be trying this on one of my meats in the future :)

For onion "rings": - these are "Man Pleasing"!!

1 egg

1/2 large red onion, sliced and separated into rings

2 tbsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. onion powder

3/4 cup crushed pecans

Bring out another cookie sheet and oil/ cooking spray it. 

Whisk egg in small bowl for dipping. Combine dry ingredients (excluding onion) on small, flat board or plate for coating. Dunk each ring into egg, then coat with pecan mixture. 

Place rings onto cookie sheet. (Keep in mind that the pecan will absorb the liquid quickly!)

Once timer rings for tofu, flip the tofu strips and place onion rings in oven. Set timer for another 20 minutes.

There is no real "pretty" way to plate these two together, so you can just throw 'em on a plate together and eat! I recommend dipping tofu sticks in ketchup, but it is completely optional.

Enjoy!

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