Butter Tofu

Selected by Sam* (Senior guide)

INGREDIENTS

1 cup uncooked basmati rice or vegan naan/roti

TO GARNISH

Toasted desiccated coconut

Fresh cilantro

Lime Juice

FOR THE TOFU

1 block of tofu, pressed for 20 minutes

1 tablespoon of olive oil

2 tablespoons of cornstarch

FOR THE SAUCE

3 tablespoons of vegan butter, or olive oil

1 large onion, diced

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

3 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced

1 teaspoon curry powder

1 tablespoon garam masala

1 teaspoon coriander seeds, or ground

½ teaspoon paprika

½ teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons of tomato paste

1 canned full fat coconut milk

Time

Prep TIme: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Serves

2

Storage

Keeps well in a container in the refrigerator for 2 - 3 days

METHOD

Prep your tofu. Wrap the tofu with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Place a plate on top of the tofu and stack something heavy like books to press the liquid from the tofu. Press for 15 - 20 minutes.


Preheat. Set the oven to 390°F.


Bake. Tear the tofu into smaller pieces, place in a mixing bowl and coat with the olive oil and then cornstarch until everything is covered evenly.

Place the tofu on a baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes.


Get saucy. While the tofu is baking, get started on the creamy sauce by melting the butter, adding the onions and sautéing for 3 - 4 minutes. Next add the ginger and garlic and cook for another 1 - 2 minutes. Add the remaining spices, tomato paste and coconut milk. Stir until combined and then simmer for 10 minutes.


Stir in the tofu. When the tofu's finished baking, add it to the sauce and stir to coat.


Serve. Serve with rice and/or in some vegan roti or naan and top with fresh cilantro and toasted coconut flakes (optional).


Notes from Sam: I like a thicker sauce, so I simmered the sauce for 15 to 20 minutes.

This delicious recipe is already 100% plant-based!
For the butter, I usually use sticks of the unsalted plant-based Becel which can be found in Creekside Market and larger supermarkets in Squamish, otherwise you can commonly find Earth Balance vegan spread and Melt Organic Butter among other brands in stores in Whistler.
Rice can be purchased loose and in bulk from a bulk store or bulk section of your supermarket and you can use your own jars and bags.
Check out some of the stores in the Sea to Sky, Vancouver area and more here.
If having the butter tofu on flat bread, you could skip the plastic by making your own with this recipe.
If you're REALLY keen, try making your own homemade tofu from dried soybeans.
Support your local farmers by looking to your local Farmers' Market and stockists of locally farmed vegetables.

*Adapted from Max Lamanna's - Vegan Butter Chicken

Photos by Abhi Bakshi and Charles Deluvio