Smoked Tofu with Tomatoes and Chipotles

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Smoked tofu?!?

Remember one of my rules of thumb…”If there is a technique that works for one thing, it might work on other things.”  If you can smoke salmon then you can smoke tofu, yes?

Yes.

The idea of smoking tofu was first introduced to me by my friend Jase (the cook at the South Pole), which we made indoors in a covered pan under a heavy-duty exhaust hood.  Then I began to learn more about smoking, and the logical next step was to take the tofu outdoors.   If you don’t have chips or are not set up for smoking, simply grilling the tofu would help give that outdoor fire flavor.

If there is concern about grilling tofu on a meaty grill, lay the tofu sliced on foil.  Poke holes in the foil ahead of time to allow the smoke to pass through.

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Offset the coals for indirect cooking of the tofu.

If you have woodchips, pre-soak them for an hour, then add them to the smoldering coals.  Cover the grill and let it sit for 20 minutes.  Flip the tofu and let it cook another 20 minutes in the covered grill.

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The tofu will take on a lovely golden hue.

Roasting it after grilling/smoking will help it hold shape, especially important because it will be combined with the acidic tomatoes.

Slice or cube the tofu, then use this method to roast tofu. 

Chipotle peppers are jalapeño peppers that are smoked and dried, then they are often canned with an Adobo Sauce which usually consists of vinegar, tomato puree, sugar, garlic, sesame seeds, bay and oregano.  I like this brand, it’s tasty and as far as I can tell it is gluten free and with no preservatives.

It adds an amazing smoky deepness that is like nothing else.  Super yum.

Sometimes I chop up the entire can of peppers, then freeze what I don’t use.

The tomatoes in this are yellow ones that I roasted and froze, but you could use fresh, freshly roasted, or canned fire-roasted tomatoes.

Smoked Tofu with Tomatoes and Chipotles

Prep Time:  15 mintutes  Grill Time: 30-45 minutes  Roast Time: 45 – 60 minutes  Cook Time: 15 minutes

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Start coals in the grill.  

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Slice into 3 or 4 slabs, around 1/2 inch thick:

1 pound firm tofu

Smoke on the grill for 30-45 minutes.

Cube or long cut the tofu, then toss with:

2 Tbsp Tamari

1 Tbsp Cider Vinegar

2 Tbsp Canola Oil

Roast in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes.  Flip at least once.

Saute in a sauce pan for a few minutes:

1/2 cup Red Onion, long sliced

1 clove Garlic, minced

Add:

2 cups Roasted Tomatoes, diced, or 1 can Muir Glen Fire Roasted Tomatoes

1 – 2 tsp Chipotle Peppers, minced

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 teaspoon Lemon Juice

1 teaspoon Oregano, dried

Simmer. If it seems dry, add a little water or stock. 

Add the smoked roasted tofu and stir gently.  

Taste and adjust seasonings.

Serve with some kind of grain or starch:

• Rice
• Polenta
• Quinoa
• Roasted Potatoes

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