Crispy Vegan Tofu Skillet with Creamy Gravy
Experience a delightful twist on comfort food with our Crispy Vegan Tofu Skillet. This dish transforms ordinary tofu into a flavorful, crispy sensation that's reminiscent of traditional fried chicken, all while being entirely plant-based. The secret lies in thoroughly coating the tofu with nutritional yeast and frying it to golden perfection. Paired with a rich and creamy gravy made from simple ingredients, this meal is sure to satisfy. Serve it over rice, in a sandwich, or on a bed of greens for a versatile dining experience. Best of all, the leftovers make an excellent addition to any lunch or dinner. Enjoy the unique textures and flavors that will have you coming back for more!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
frying oil
enough to cover the bottom of a skillet (None)
sesame seeds
2-3 tablespoons (None)
tofu
1 lb (sliced)
nutritional yeast flakes
1/2 cup (good-tasting)
tamari
2 tablespoons (None)
margarine
2 tablespoons (None)
flour
1/3 cup (None)
soymilk or water
1-2 cups (Milk makes a very rich, thick gravy)
salt, pepper, and tamari
to taste (None)
Instructions
1
Begin by heating oil in a skillet over medium heat until it shimmers; this is essential for achieving that perfect crispy texture.
2
Add the sesame seeds to the hot oil and gently stir for about 1-2 minutes until they start to become fragrant.
3
While the seeds are toasting, take each sliced piece of tofu and dredge it in nutritional yeast flakes, ensuring an even coating on both sides.
4
Once the sesame seeds are sizzles and golden, meticulously arrange the coated tofu in the skillet, allowing sufficient space between each piece.
5
Drizzle the tamari evenly over the tofu slices for added flavor.
6
Fry the tofu, gently turning the pieces with a spatula, until they are beautifully crispy and brown on both sides. This process may take anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes based on your desired level of crispiness.
7
While the tofu fries, use the same skillet to prepare the gravy. Simply add the margarine to the pan; let it melt and combine with the residual flavors.
8
Stir in the flour and remaining nutritional yeast, mixing continuously until the mixture thickens and turns a light golden brown, making sure not to burn it. This should take 2-3 minutes on medium-low heat.
9
Gradually pour in your liquid of choice (soymilk or water), stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming, and continue to cook until the gravy reaches your desired thickness.
10
Finish by seasoning the gravy with salt, pepper, and a splash of tamari to taste.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crispy Vegan Tofu Skillet with Creamy Gravy?
It is a plant-based comfort food dish featuring tofu coated in nutritional yeast and fried until crispy, served with a rich gravy.
What makes the tofu crispy in this recipe?
The tofu achieves its crispy texture by being dredged in nutritional yeast flakes and fried in shimmering oil.
How long does it take to fry the tofu?
The frying process can take anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes depending on your desired level of crispiness.
What ingredients are needed for the tofu coating?
You will need 1/2 cup of good-tasting nutritional yeast flakes to coat the tofu slices.
How do I make the creamy gravy?
The gravy is made by melting margarine in the skillet, stirring in flour and nutritional yeast, and then gradually adding soymilk or water.
Can I use water instead of soymilk for the gravy?
Yes, you can use water, but using soymilk makes for a very rich and thick gravy.
What should I serve with this crispy tofu?
It is versatile and can be served over rice, in a sandwich, or on a bed of greens.
How do I prevent lumps in the gravy?
To prevent lumps, gradually pour in your liquid while stirring continuously.
What is the purpose of the sesame seeds?
Sesame seeds are toasted in the oil at the beginning to add fragrance and flavor to the dish.
How much tofu is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of sliced tofu.
How do I know when the oil is ready for frying?
Heat the oil over medium heat until it shimmers before adding the sesame seeds and tofu.
When do I add tamari to the recipe?
Tamari is drizzled over the tofu slices in the skillet and also used at the end to season the gravy.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, the leftovers make an excellent addition to any lunch or dinner.
What temperature should I use to cook the gravy roux?
The flour and nutritional yeast mixture should be cooked on medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes.
How much margarine is used for the gravy?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of margarine.
How much flour is needed for the gravy?
You will need 1/3 cup of flour to help thicken the gravy.
Can I use any type of nutritional yeast?
The recipe recommends using 1/2 cup of good-tasting nutritional yeast flakes.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is heating oil in a skillet over medium heat until it shimmers.
How long should the sesame seeds toast?
The seeds should be stirred gently in the hot oil for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
How do I prepare the tofu for cooking?
The tofu should be sliced and then dredged in nutritional yeast flakes to ensure an even coating.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include vegan, tofu, skillet, gravy, comfort food, dinner, plant-based, and crispy.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 9 ingredients in total for this dish.
How much liquid is needed for the gravy?
The recipe suggests 1-2 cups of soymilk or water.
What is the texture of the finished gravy?
The gravy is described as rich and creamy.
Is there a specific way to arrange the tofu in the pan?
You should meticulously arrange the coated tofu in the skillet, allowing sufficient space between each piece.
How is the gravy seasoned?
The gravy is seasoned with salt, pepper, and a splash of tamari to taste.
Does the recipe use a specific type of milk?
The recipe suggests soymilk for a rich result, though water is an alternative.
What kind of oil should I use?
The recipe specifies using enough frying oil to cover the bottom of the skillet.
Is this recipe entirely vegan?
Yes, it is entirely plant-based, using vegan staples like tofu, nutritional yeast, and margarine.
How do I flip the tofu?
Gently turn the pieces with a spatula until they are brown and crispy on both sides.