Compassionate Cuisine from the COK Kitchen

Fabulous Fried “Chicken” (serves 4)

• 2 14-ounce packages of extra-firm tofu, pressed and cut into 1-inch slices
• 1 cup soymilk or water
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning*
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons chopped parsley (dried or fresh)
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup bread crumbs

Unwrap the tofu and shake off any excess moisture. Place the tofu in a freezer bag or wrap well in plastic. Freeze the sealed tofu for at least 24 hours. (Frozen tofu can keep in the freezer indefinitely, so feel free to always have a few blocks on-hand in the freezer.)

Once frozen, thaw the tofu by placing it—unwrapped—into a microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl and microwave** on high, checking every 2 to 3 minutes to make sure the tofu doesn’t cook.

Once thoroughly defrosted, gently squeeze out any excess moisture. Then cut the firm, pressed tofu into 1-inch-thick slices.

In a bowl, add the soymilk or water and all of the seasonings, poultry seasoning through pepper. Whisk well.

Place the flour in a second bowl, and the bread crumbs in a third.

Dip each slice of pressed tofu first into the flour and then into the seasoned soymilk mixture. Coat both sides of the wet slice with bread crumbs and set aside until all slices are battered.

Fry the “chicken” in vegetable oil until golden brown.

Serve with Chicken-Free Gravy (recipe below).

Chicken-Free Gravy (makes 4 servings)

• 3 tablespoons soy margarine
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup nutritional yeast***
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning*
• 1 teaspoon onion salt
• dash of pepper
• 2 cups vegetarian broth or 1 vegetarian bouillon cube dissolved in 2 cups boiling water

Melt the soy margarine in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour, nutritional yeast, and seasonings, stirring quickly with a whisk.

Add the broth, stirring until blended. Continue cooking and stirring for 5 minutes, or until thick.

* Poultry seasoning (a mixture of sage, thyme, marjoram, and other herbs) can be found in nearly every grocery store.
** If you don’t use a microwave, frozen tofu can be thawed by putting it in a pan of boiling water for 2 to 4 minutes. Alternatively, transfer the frozen tofu from the freezer to the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight.
*** Nutritional yeast is an inactive yeast rich in vitamins and minerals, with a wonderful cheesy flavor that can be found in most natural foods grocery stores. It can be easily added to soups, stews, casseroles, or in place of cheese to make any dish creamier.

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