Sheet Pan Cajun Tofu and Vegetables

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One in every of my favourite locations on this planet is New Orleans. Louisiana is stuffed with historical past, music, soul, and is dwelling to a few of the finest meals I’ve ever tasted. However when you’re a vegetarian, these choices can really feel slightly restricted. That’s why I’m excited to introduce our Sheet Pan Cajun Tofu and Greens so you may convey that NOLA vibe into your very personal kitchen. This recipe was impressed by one in all my finest pals, Ashley. She’s vegan, lived in New Orleans, and helped me fall in love with one of many best cities on this planet.

Sheet pan with Cajun tofu and vegetables and a spatula.

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Straightforward sheet pan cajun tofu and greens Recipe

Once I consider traditional NOLA eats, dishes like jambalaya, po’boys, and gumbo come to thoughts (psst… take a look at our gumbo recipe!). This recipe is a one-pan, budget-friendly, low-stress, flavor-packed dream I simply can’t appear to get sufficient of. I like utilizing tofu coated in cornstarch because it will get tremendous crispy and, as a result of it’s like slightly sponge, soaks up all that daring Cajun seasoning and spice such as you wouldn’t imagine. I’ve roasted it alongside bell peppers, onions, and potatoes, so I get an entire meal with none fuss. To convey these Cajun boil vibes dwelling, the whole lot will get drizzled on a candy and spicy butter sauce that makes it delectable and unforgettable. (Swap in non-dairy butter to make it absolutely vegan!)

To get that Cajun taste profile, I used our selfmade Cajun seasoning recipe and lower it in half, however added slightly extra salt and pepper. If you would like to have the ability to whip up this recipe once more very quickly in any respect, make the total batch and stash half within the pantry. I like all issues spicy, so only a heads up, this dish does have a little bit of a kick. Be happy to change to your spice desire.

Use extra-firm tofu. It’s decrease in water content material, and its dense texture permits it to take care of its form and get crispy on the skin whereas staying tender on the within. It is best to nonetheless press and drain it so it will get good and crisp and absorbs extra taste.
Change up the flavour profile. One of many issues I like about tofu is that it’s like a sponge and soaks up the flavors. I prefer to marinate it in soy sauce, however you may as well use tamari, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, herbs, or your favourite sauce.
Clear out the fridge. I used bell peppers and onions to lean into the Cajun vibe. If in case you have any veggies which might be about to go dangerous, throw them on the sheet pan too.

methods to make sheet pan cajun tofu and greens step-by-step pictures

Ingredients to make sheet pan Cajun tofu and vegetables.

Collect your components and preheat the oven: Collect and put together all of the components. Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. I cooked this sheet pan meal at a excessive warmth, 425°F, as a result of I needed to roast the veggies and get the tofu crispy.

Make the seasoning: In a small bowl, mix 1 tsp paprika, ½ tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp dried thyme, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp onion powder, ⅛ tsp cayenne, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp pepper to make the Cajun seasoning. Set it apart when you full the following few steps.

Books stacked on top of tofu on a wooden cutting board.

Put together the tofu: Slice one block of tofu in half lengthwise and lay it flat on high of a number of layers of paper towels or a tea towel. Cowl the tofu with further paper towels or use a tea towel to wrap the tofu and gently press out the moisture. Use a weighted sheet pan, books, or a heavy reducing board and place it on high to squeeze out extra of the moisture. I prefer to let the tofu sit like this for no less than 10 minutes. This may assist the tofu take up extra taste.

Tofu cubes tossed in soy sauce in a white bowl.

As soon as the tofu is drained, pat it dry after which lower it into ½ -1″ cubes. Place the cubes in a medium-sized bowl and gently combine with 1 tbsp of soy sauce. Tofu is delicate, and I needed to be light, so I selected a rubber spatula.

Cubed tofu with cornstarch and Cajun seasoning in a white bowl.

Subsequent, drizzle and fold the tofu in 1 Tbsp vegetable oil. Then, fold the tofu in 1 Tbsp cornstarch and half the Cajun seasoning. Don’t skip the cornstarch; this helps make the tofu crispier.

Seasoned tofu cubes on a parchment lined sheet pan.

Unfold the tofu cubes out on one facet of the sheet pan in a fair layer.

Cubed potatoes with Cajun seasoning in a white bowl.

Put together the potatoes: Add 3 cups lower potatoes into the identical bowl and toss in 1 Tbsp vegetable oil and the remaining Cajun seasoning.

Seasoned tofu and potatoes on a parchment-lined sheet pan.

Place the potatoes on the opposite half of the sheet tray, additionally in a fair, flat layer. Don’t clear out the bowl.

Bell peppers and onion in a white bowl with the Cajun seasoning.

Bake: Place the pan within the preheated oven and cook dinner for 25 minutes. Whereas cooking, place the two bell peppers and onion in the identical bowl. Toss with the remaining oil and put aside.

Adding peppers and onion to the sheet pan with the tofu and potatoes.

After 25 minutes, flip the tofu. I used tongs for precision. Add the bell peppers and onion to the facet with the potatoes. Toss all of them collectively, then unfold the greens and potatoes out in a fair, flat layer.

Prepare dinner for a further 25 minutes till the veggies are tender.

Make the butter drizzle: Take away the sheet pan from the oven. In a small bowl, whisk 2 Tbsp butter, ½ Tbsp brown sugar, and ½ Tbsp sizzling sauce till the sugar dissolves.

Drizzling the butter mixture over the roasted tofu and veggies.

Drizzle this butter combination over the tofu and veggies, tossing gently so they’re nicely coated.

A plate of Sheet Pan Cajun Tofu and Vegetables with a fork.

Serve: Serve the tofu and veggies and revel in.

serving ideas

Although I’ve obtained myself coated with protein, veggies, and a few carbs, I nonetheless prefer to spherical out the meal with one thing further. I often begin with both a comfortable bowl of butternut squash soup or a crisp Caesar salad for a recent distinction. And in terms of dessert, it’s all the time a troublesome name—as a rule, I’m torn between a slice of wealthy chess pie or a traditional pecan pie to finish the meal on a candy be aware.

Storage and Reheating

Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. I don’t suggest freezing cooked tofu because the thawing course of could make the feel dry and chewy. You’ll be able to, nevertheless, freeze the raw tofu. This really helps it take up marinades and sauces higher by leaving air pockets from the ice crystals after it thaws.

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