Herby Tofu Nuggets with Sweet Potato Chips

Serves  4

Time 1 hour (plus marination)

Ingredients

480-500g hard tofu, sliced into 1 cm thick x 4 cm long pieces

Tofu Marinade

⅔ cup water 

¼ cup tamari or soy sauce 

3 tsp ground sweet paprika

1½ tbsp nutritional yeast 

4 tsp dried oregano leaves

2 tsp hot English or Dijon mustard 

Tofu Crumb

3 tbsp wholemeal spelt flour 

2 free-range eggs, whisked 

⅔ cup sourdough or wholemeal breadcrumbs 

3 tbsp finely chopped fresh herbs (parsley, dill, chives) 

Extra virgin olive oil spray 

Sweet Potato Chips

400-500g sweet potatoes 

3 tsp arrowroot or tapioca flour

1½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil 

To Serve 

Rainbow coleslaw or your favourite combination of raw vegetables

Dairy-free tartare sauce or your favourite fish and chip sauce to dip the crumbed tofu pieces in if desired 

Method

Whisk together the ingredients for the tofu marinade in a bowl. Place tofu pieces in a container and pour marinade over the top. Toss to coat tofu pieces and marinate for approximately 10-15 minutes, preferably 30 minutes - 1 hour. 

Whilst tofu marinates, heat oven to 200°C and line 2 large baking trays with greaseproof paper. Slice sweet potatoes into 1 cm thick sticks or chips. Place in a bowl and sprinkle arrowroot flour over the sweet potatoes, then toss to coat. Spread over one baking tray, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and place in the oven to cook for 30-40 minutes, turning the chips halfway so they become crispy all over. 

Crumb the marinated tofu. Lay 4 bowls out on the bench. Add spelt flour to 1 bowl, whisk eggs into the 2nd bowl, add breadcrumbs and fresh chopped herbs to the 3rd bowl and leave the 4 bowls empty ready for the final crumbed tofu. Once tofu is marinated, coat with flour, dip and coat in the egg and roll through the crumb. Repeat with all marinated tofu pieces. (Discard the remaining marinade if not using or be creative and use it for another dish!). 

Place tofu pieces on the 2nd baking tray, spray all over with extra virgin olive oil and place in oven to bake with the sweet potato for 20 minutes, turning at halfway to ensure even baking. 

Once sweet potato chips and tofu are cooked, serve with a delicious rainbow slaw and your choice of tartar-style sauce to dip the crumbed tofu.

Tips

Use light soy sauce or tamari.

If nutritional yeast is not available, this ingredient can be omitted.

Use your favourite mustard if dijon or hot English not available, and same for herbs - use whatever is on hand and utilise what is in the fridge and pantry! 

For the vegan option for egg in crumb: combine ½ cup nut milk, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, ¾ cup flour (gluten-free option) in a bowl and mix to form a paste. Use this combination after each piece of tofu is dipped in flour. 

Swap arrowroot flour or tapioca for corn flour if this is more convenient for you.