Ginger-Maple Fall Spiced Tofu and Apple Cubes

By Kathy Patalsky
Published 10/08/2014

Ingredients

• 10oz firm tofu, cubed**
• 1 small apple, diced
• 1 tsp ground ginger powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon + a few pinches for the apples
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 – 1/2 tsp salt (pink salt used)
• a few pinches of freshly ground black pepper
• 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp apple cider (or try orange juice!)
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup, grade B
• a few pinches cayenne
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• garnish: 2-5 whole pecans, optional fresh apple slices
• for pan: 2 tsp coconut butter or virgin coconut oil
• **Or substitute with chickpeas, tempeh or your fave fall veggies — cooking method may vary based on main ingredient used

Instructions

1. Press your tofu to drain off any liquid, use a paper towel to absorb. Dice your tofu and add to a large bowl.
2. Sprinkle the spices, salt and pepper over top the tofu, then add in the liquids, vinegar, juice and maple syrup. Using a large spoon, toss well to coat the tofu, try not to break apart the cubes.
3. Cover the tofu and allow it to sit and marinate for at least ten minutes, longer is optional for more infused flavor.
4. When you are ready to cook your tofu, warm a medium skillet over high heat. When the skillet is hot, add in the coconut butter or oil. When that is melted and coating the pan, pour in your tofu cubes. Reserving any excess marinade liquid in the bowl. Allow the tofu to sizzle for about a minute, then flip the cubes one by one using a spatula. Now you can pour in the excess marinade liquid. If there was not leftover liquid in the bowl, you may want to add in a splash of apple or orange juice to hydrate the pan a bit. Water works too. Turn the heat down to medium and sizzle the cubes for another minute, flipping every once in a while.
5. When the tofu looks nicely browned on some sides and softens in texture, you can now add in the apple cubes. Sprinkle them in cinnamon and gently fold them into the tofu cubes. Cook the tofu and apple cubes until the apples begin to brown a bit. Then turn off the heat and add in the chopped pecans. Fold the pecans into the mixture and let everything sit for a few minutes as it sizzles and steams.
6. Serve warm with pecan and apple optional garnishes. These cubes taste delicious served chilled from the fridge too! Store leftovers in the fridge and consume within a few days.

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 00 hrs. 05 mins.
Cook time: 00 hrs. 08 mins.
Total time: 13 mins.
Tags: tofu,snack,protein,vegan,fall,spices,easy recipes,apples