Thursday, March 6, 2008

Southern Fried Tofu, Make Your Own Marshmallows, & Europe!

Please head over to my new blog at TheUrbanHousewife.com, where you'll find this post & more!

Sometimes you just crave fried food! Inspired by a poster on the PPK, I decided I needed some breaded & fried goodness. I had fresh tofu from Hodo Soy Beanery on hand, so I thought it would be the perfect recipient for this flavorful coating. I hate to admit it, but I was a fan of a certain fried fast food chain back in the day, mainly for the mashed potatoes, but regardless, this was far superior to anything I consumed from them!

Southern Fried Tofu
Ingredients:
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup panko
2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 ts. salt
1 tsp pepper
2 Tbsp dijon mustard (yellow is fine as well.)
3 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 to 2 blocks of firm or extra firm tofu, preferably pressed, sliced in to strips.
Oil for frying (Canola or vegetable are ideal.)

Instructions:
In a large bowl, mix the flour, panko, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, & pepper.

In another bowl, whisk the mustard in to the water. Add 2 Tbsp of the dry mixture & stir.

Add the baking powder to the dry mixture & incorporate.

Use one hand to dip the strips of tofu in to the mustard mixture, then transfer them in to the dry mixture, using your other hand to coat & press in the seasoning. Ideally, you'll have a "wet hand" & a "dry hand".

Fry the coated tofu on medium high heat, turning repeatedly, until nicely browned & crispy.

Move them to a paper towel or other absorbent surface until done frying.

Serve & enjoy!

My Notes:
I used fresh tofu, so it didn't have to be pressed. If you have access to fresh tofu, I think it was really lovely with this, as it's lighter than packaged tofu, making this not feel heavy. I hate having tons of extra coating left over, so this should get you through 2 blocks of tofu easily with less waste than many other recipes. You could also use this on mock chicken or seitan, of course!

I always enjoy receiving mail & you can imagine my excitement when an envelope landed in my mailbox declaring, "Make Your Own Fresh Vegan Marshmallows!". Alice from Angel Food was kind enough to send me a marshmallow making kit & I was more than willing to try it out!

While the process isn't difficult, I found myself a bit daunted by the use of a stand mixer & two pots on the stove. Luckily, it was a breeze & I found myself moving right along without issue. The kit comes with two packets of powder & you supply water, sugar, syrup, vanilla, & starch for the outsides. The kit makes a whopping 50 marshmallows, so be prepared to share with loved ones!

Vegan marshmallow making has been something that's escaped many, myself included, but with this kit, I was finally able to make my own fluffy little sugar pillows! They were softer & sweeter than Sweet & Sara & I found I liked them best after a bit of refrigerator time to firm them up. I took them to an impromptu vegan picnic in Dolores Park last Sunday & they were quickly devoured along with the Hazelnut Cake Truffles I made. One thing I found out the hard way though, is these aren't for toasting over a flame, I'm still nursing blisters & burns on 4 fingers after my attempt awry.

If you want to try your hand at making marshmallows or don't have access to other vegan marshmallows out there, consider trying these out! The kit comes from New Zealand & with shipping to the US is well under $10. Check out Angel Food for details.

On Monday, Ryan & I are headed to Europe for 16 days!
London, Berlin, & Prague will be our destinations & I cannot wait to go on eating adventures & report back. Suggestions on food to try & things to see are always welcome & if you're in one of these places & want to meet up, get in touch! Until next time! xo.

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ahh, I'm so excited to try out the marshmallows for myself- I'm going home late tonight, so I might just start as soon as I get into the kitchen. Who cares if it will probably be in the wee morning hours? I need my marshmallows!

They don't toast, hm? That's a bit unexpected! Do they at least get soft and gooey when warmed? I'm not terribly upset if they don't, just curious.

Anonymous said...

In London try 222. It's a great place!! www.222veggievegan.com

Rural Vegan said...

Please please please report back full details of your vegan finds in Prague! And have a wonderful time!

The marshmallow kit is a fabulous gift idea, I love it!

Natalie said...

ooh, those look like fluffy marshmallows! you should mail me some. (^_^)

Vegan_Noodle said...

Now I've craving some fried tofu!! I'm not sure I've ever had fresh tofu, unless it was in a restaurant and they didn't tell me.
How cool that you made your own vegan marshmallows!! The sound delicious... too bad they don't melt!
Have a blast in Europe. I've been to all three of those places, but it was before I was a vegan. But certainly try some Indian food in London, it's excellent. They are all such wonderful, different cities. can't wait to hear all about your adventure!

Meghan said...

that tofu looks so fried and delicious!
have fun on your trip.
i'm super jealous!
prague is one of my favorite cities ever.

AJ Bindel said...

Mmm! Thanks for posting the recipe for the tofu, it sounds scrumpdiddly! I might have to try it this weekend.

Cakespy said...

First--bitch! I am jealous of your trip. OK, Jealous in a *nice* way. Have so, so much fun!!

Second, that fried tofu looks so ridiculously good,especially with one of my favorite dishes in the whole wide world, brussels sprouts. And marshmallows to boot! You've outdone yourself this time.

Jess said...

I love Prague!!! One of my favorite cities ever. So beautiful!! Have a great time & take lots of pictures to share! :)

Jenni (aka Vegyogini) said...

Oh, that sounds like so much fun! I wish they'd send me a kit to test. Have a wonderful time in Europe and travel safely. :)

julie hasson said...

Gorgeous tofu and marshmallows!! Oh yum!

Have a fabulous time in Europe! Wow, I'm completely jealous.

Liz Ranger (Bubble Tea for Dinner) said...

your marshmallows look so fluffy out of this world, I'm almost tempted to dust off my stand mixer and send away for one of those packages! Unfortunate about the not being able to toast them, though. :(

Lori- the Pleasantly Plump Vegan said...

fried tofu is a weakness (if you wanna call it that) of mine. this looks like a great recipe.
have fun in Europe. Can't wait to hear about yr trip.

Amey said...

Hey Melisser!!
Wow! Make-your-own-marshmallows!? How fun.

I hope you two have a great time in Europe. Maybe once you're back we can try again for a visit... now that I'm back from all my crazy travels! :)

I just listed you as one of my favorite blogs on the VegNews question of the month! Yeah!

:) Amey

vko said...

hello my dear! I must tell you those marshmallows are gorgeous!!

Have a lovely trip -can't wait to hear back on you veganizing Europe.
xx

jaxin said...

I made some of the fried tofu last night, and popped the leftovers in the fridge. Out of curiosity before I heated them up, I tried one cold.

They are SO good cold! It was surprising! It reminded me of having leftover BK chicken tenders. I used to buy extra and put them in the fridge to have cold, heh! (Gross now, but I loved it then.)

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

make your own vegan marshmallows?? too fun!!

have a BEYOND fabulous trip to Europe!! I hope to see photographs when you return!! :0)

Anonymous said...

So many great recipes here I don't know where to begin!!! Great!!!

MeganFabulous said...

Have Fun in Europe! I can't wait to read your posts when you return. I am so getting the marshmallow kit!

Anonymous said...

vegan marshmallows, eh? fantastic! my girlfriend and i are planning to visit all those 3 places you are going, so i'd love to hear about your vegan adventure! have a great time!

Lauren said...

Love the recipes, there is a good looking vegetarian restaurant in the Old Town in Prague, if you're standing in the square where the Astronomical Clock is and you go in the direction of the Charles Bridge it's in a little side street. Sorry I can't give better directions but I just chanced across it when I was wandering so maybe you'll be able to do the same! (if you want more info on Prague I have a travel blog about it but I'm afraid I don't have many other vegetarian suggestions since my Mom made me start eating meat in preparation for the trip)

SaraJane said...

Yum! Being from the south, I have a certain weakness for fried things at times, too. I'm definitely going to try this. Did you put any of the marshmallows in hot cocoa? I'm curious if they melted. That was something that disappointed me about the Sweet & Sara ones.

Also - I tagged you. http://veganchicksrock.blogspot.com/2008/03/ive-been-tagged.html

TB said...

I have to admit that I was a fan of a certain fast food place's mashed potatoes as a child, as well... and then went on to protest said fast food place as an adult. what do you know? :) your southern fried tofu looks amazing, and have the best time in europe! can't wait to see all your travel postings.

Anonymous said...

I'm not big on tofu, but warm crispy fried ones always have a special place in my heart. Yours look lovely! Have fun in Europe, sweetie! :)

Lapa said...

Coimbra, April 23, 1975.
"A few days ago, during the homily of Sunday Mass in a parish church in rural surroundings, the priest spoke to his parishioners about the forthcoming elections for the Constituent Assembly. Launched hand of the parabola to be better understood and told them:

-- "My dear brothers in Christ: suppose that one of you is owner of a dairy cow; if socialism wins, the brother takes the cow, but will have to give the milk to the party, if the communism wins, we will stand without the milk and without. cow. .." "

urban vegan said...

ayyoentI'm so jealous of yoru jaunt. Those marshmallows are so cute--what a great idea for a kit.lantiqg

Bianca said...

I love fried food! I don't care how bad it is for me. We all deserve a good, greasy plate of fried tofu every now and then. It's food for the soul!

Wheeler's Frozen Dessert said...

Hey Melisser! That tofu looks awesome ... and the so do the brussel sprouts ... and the mashmallows as well! :)

Have fun in Europe!

Wheeler's Frozen Dessert said...

Hey Melisser! That tofu looks awesome ... and the so do the brussel sprouts ... and the mashmallows as well! :)

Have fun in Europe!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Hey Melisser! I saw your comment on my blog - we already have reservations for Candle 79!! Hooray!! :0D Tune in, to find out where ELSE we dined, when I return ;0)

Claire said...

Scattered around London there are lots of "all you can eat" style vegan thai buffets called "Tai Buffet"
Lots of veggies, rice, noodles, salads and soy meats. You can sit in or take away. Been there a few times and it always seems fresh. Cheap too

Have a nice trip!
x

Claire said...

oh, also you should DEFINATELY check out Truman Brewery area near Brick Lane in East London on a Sunday. They have a big craft market called UP MARKET & lots of foodie stalls. Close by is Spitafield market which is a food/clothes/craft/jewelrey etc market, It's really nice to see, but go early on a Sun morning!
(Nearest tube Aldgate East)
If you need to ask anything just emai me
x

Anonymous said...

Ohhhh, I'd like to try some of that! Very interesting!

Anonymous said...

I haven't tried vegan marshmallows but homemade marshmallows in general are amazing. It's good that you used a standmixer though because when I tried this with my handmixer it started to smoke! No joke, it was actually the impetous for us to finally break down and buy a standmixer.

N.

http://badhuman.wordpress.com

urban vegan said...

I crave fried food about 2x a year.

I am so introgued by the marshmallows.

Unknown said...

that tofu looks so good...i bet some tomato sauce would go perfectly with it! yum!

Anonymous said...

We just went to London last September & loved all the vegan options. My two favourites were 222 Veggie Vegan & Mildred's. 222 has a lunch buffet. http://www.222veggievegan.com/ http://www.mildreds.co.uk/

yum yum yum!
Sarah

Doodleyboo said...

Oh yummy, yummy, yummy! I must try both the tofu and order those marshmallows. I really want to make chocolate peppermint-flavoured ones. Thanks for the tip-off! :o)

Webly said...

I have clicked on the link so many times to attempt to buy the mix but I just can't spend the money! Hopefully Food Fight will get it in store.

lao80 said...

Ohhh, the marshmallows. I'll have to scroll through more of your blog.

While in Europe stock up on the mint Ritter Sport bar. They are to die for and a pain to get in the US.