Soy Marinade

This is my standard marinade for tofu that will be baked or grilled and is probably the one that I use most often. Makes 1/3 cup or enough for 14 ounces of tofu

1/4 cup tamari
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
dash of chili flakes to taste
1 clove minced garlic
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

Combine all ingredients and stir or whisk to combine.

Variations

• Experiment with some different spices.
• You can also make a very simple version with just tamari and a little chili paste.
• This marinade can be a little strong for some people. If so, you can add 1/8 cup of water or vegetable broth to tone it down a bit.
• Can be easily made gluten-free.

More information for Soy Marinade recipe:

• Prep time: 5 min
• Total time: 5 min

Baked Soy Marinated Tofu

Perfect for most Asian meals. Makes 2 to 4 servings

1 14 ounce package of firm or extra firm tofu
1 batch Soy Marinade recipe (see above)
vegetable oil

Slice the tofu into 4 or 5 even pieces. Press the tofu to reduce excess moisture by placing a towel on the counter and wrapping the tofu in the towel*. Place a cutting board on top of the tofu and place something heavy on top (cast iron skillet, a couple of cans of beans, etc.) Let sit for 5 minutes. Rearrange the tofu to a dry part of the towel or on a new towel, and press again for about 5 minutes.

Place the tofu in a plastic zipper bag or shallow container. Pour the Soy Marinade over the tofu and make sure all of the tofu is covered. Marinade for 1 to 3 hours turning the tofu a few times to make sure that all sides are evenly marinated.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Spray or brush a little oil on a cookie sheet. Place the tofu on the oiled cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes turning once after the first 10 minutes.

Variations

• Experiment with other marinades.
• If you like your tofu less soft in the middle, bake it at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, again turning them over at the halfway mark.
• This is also excellent when cooked on the grill.
• Pan Fried Tofu: spray or brush a large, heavy skillet with a small amount of oil. Over medium heat, add the tofu and cook for 5 to 10 minutes on each side.
• Can be easily made gluten-free.

More information for Baked Soy Marinated Tofu recipe:

• Prep time: 10 min
• Cook time: 20 min
• Total time: 30 min

* Note: If you have fuzzy kitchen towels, you’ll probably want to wrap it in a paper towel first to avoid getting fuzzy lint all over your tofu.