Tandoori Tofu Masala “salad”

Photo: ChefPriyanka

Ingredients

1 cup firm cubed tofu (I use Nasoya)

4 tablespoons tandoori masala (recipe BELOW or store-bought)

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)

2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)- plus extra for cooking

1 teaspoon salt

coarse black pepper- few grinds

3 cloves garlic- crushed and minced

2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger

4 dried cayenne chilies- cut in half

1/2 white onion- sliced in rainbows

1/2 green bell pepper- thinly sliced (almost julienned)

3/4 cup yellow cherry tomatoes- cut in half

good handful of cilantro- washed and finely chopped

1 tablespoon PAM (original)/ olive oil

romaine lettuce leaves (for garnishing)

chat masala (for garnishing, optional)

Tandoori Masala:

1 tablespoon cumin powder

1 tablespoon coriander powder

1 tablespoon fenugreek (methi) powder

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon turmeric

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon ginger powder

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon nutmeg (freshly grated preferably)

1/2 teaspoon clove powder

Preparation

In a medium sized bowl place tofu. Add tandoori masala, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice. Combine well, until each piece is coated and red. Wrap with plastic wrap, and place in the fridge. Marinate for 2 hours (or more).

In a medium-sized skillet spray with PAM and add oil and set over medium flame. Add onions, peppers and garlic. Saute for about 2 minutes, then add grated ginger. Add chilies with seeds and all. Saute for about another 2 minutes. After the onions and peppers are slightly browned and soft (not caramelized), add tofu. Saute for another 2-3 minutes. You want the tofu to become a lil browned and soft. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and combine.

After everything is well combine and veggies and cooked and tofu is soft, taste for salt, and add as needed. Remove from heat and mix in cherry tomatoes. Add cilantro and mix.

On a serving platter, place lettuce leave and place tofu over half of the leaves. Sprinkle with a little chat masala and cilantro. Can be served warm or at room temperature. Can be eaten alone or with naan.

For Tandoori Masala:

Mix all ingredients together. If starting with whole spices, lightly roast them over the stove, and grind in a coffee grinder.

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About

When I used to be a chickatarian (which I admit wasn’t too long ago), I used to eat a Tandoori Chicken Salad Appetizer at an Indian Restaurant- Moghul- that my family frequents. I really liked that the chef combined grilled, tandoori chicken with cool tomatoes and sauteed peppers and onions, and I HAD to figure out a way to make it vegetarian. And then I thought, what’s better than tofu?! I could’ve used paneer (which is a scrumptious Indian cheese), but I wanted to keep the dish healthy and open to everyone (aka Vegetarians and Vegans). It’s full of spicy tandoori flavors and sweet cherry tomatoes. The soft tofu combined with crunchy vegetables and sweet tomatoes is heavenly. The combination is yummy and its great as an appetizer or side dish, and wonderful to serve at dinner parties too! Plus its low in fat and PACKED with protein! It’s definitely a must try! (Also my Daddy loved this dish and he’s a very picky eater and dislikes tofu!)