Use as a dipping sauce for fresh salad rolls, spring rolls, tofu or grilled vegetables. You can also use it as sauce for stir-fried vegetables and tofu. Serving it over steamed broccoli and carrots is a traditional Thai Pra Ram dish. Makes 4 to 6 servings.
1 14-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
1 teaspoon chili paste for mild or more for spicy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar or palm sugar (omit if using sweetened peanut butter)
1/4 cup freshly ground peanuts (or peanut butter)
1/2 teaspoon salt
Warm the coconut milk in a saucepan over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes while you assemble the rest of the ingredients. Add the chili paste and sugar. Stir to dissolve. Add the ground peanuts or peanut butter. Stir frequently until the peanut butter has melted and the sauce has started to thicken.
If the peanut sauce is too thick, you can thin it with a little bit of water or coconut milk.
Buy the What Dawn Eats: Vegan food that isn’t weird cookbook for more recipes like this one.
Variations
- Omit salt for a low-sodium sauce.
- Omit or reduce the sugar for a less sweet sauce. When using a sweetened peanut butter, I always leave out the sugar.
- Add more peanut butter for a little extra peanutty goodness.
- Naturally gluten-free.
More information for Thai Peanut Sauce recipe:
- Prep time: 5 min
- Cook time: 10 min
- Total time: 15 min
Mexican Marinade
Warning! This Mexican marinade is spicy, but it has a delicious chipotle, lime and cilantro flavor. See the Mexican Marinated tofu recipe below for details about using the marinade.
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
juice of 1 lime
juice of 1 orange
1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
3 cloves minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried minced onions
1 teaspoon cumin
3 chopped chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce
1 teaspoon adobo sauce
Combine all ingredients and stir or whisk to combine.
Variations
- Dial back on the chipotle peppers if you want something a little less spicy.
- You could also substitute your favorite spicy chipotle hot sauce to taste in place of the chili peppers and adobo.
- Use this marinade to brush on vegetables before you grill them for a Mexican grilled vegetable meal.
- Can easily be made gluten-free and low-sodium.
More information for Mexican Marinade recipe:
- Prep time: 15 min
- Total time: 15 min
Baked Mexican Marinated Tofu
I use this tofu in tacos, burritos, nacho salads or any other Mexican meal. The Enchilada Casserole is one of my recipes that uses this Baked Mexican Marinated Tofu. Makes 2 to 4 servings.
1 14 ounce package of firm or extra firm tofu
1 batch Mexican 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 tomatoes, 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 Mexican 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 low-sodium and gluten-free.
More information for Baked Mexican 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 on your tofu.
This is great on just about any type of vegetable, but it is absolutely awesome with baked cauliflower. Makes 4 servings.
2 teaspoons olive oil
3 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup tahini (more or less to taste)
1/4 cup water
1 freshly squeezed lemon
1 teaspoon freshly ground coriander
freshly ground pepper and salt to taste
chopped parsley (optional)
In a cold saucepan, add all ingredients, except the parsley, and whisk together. Over low heat, gently warm the sauce to just above room temperature, and be careful not to simmer or boil. Tahini stays creamier and maintains a much better consistency at lower temperatures. Add additional water as needed if it seems a little too thick.
Top with parsley and serve with Baked Veggies or Grilled Vegetables and Tofu.
Variations
- Omit the salt and use a reduced sodium tahini sauce for a low-sodium version.
- Naturally gluten-free.
More information for Tahini Sauce recipe:
- Prep time: 5 min
- Cook time: 5 min
- Total time: 10 min
Italian Marinade
This is my favorite marinade for tempeh, but it’s also great with tofu or brushed onto vegetables before you throw them on the grill.
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup tamari
1 minced garlic clove
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (to taste)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed between fingers
1 teaspoon minced onions
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
freshly ground black pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients and stir or whisk to combine.
Variations
- Experiment with some different spices.
- This marinade can be a little strong for some people. If so, you can add 1/4 cup of water or vegetable broth to tone it down a bit.
- Omit the tamari for a low-sodium version. Add a little extra balsamic vinegar or water if you need more liquid.
- Can be easily made gluten-free.
More information for Italian Marinade recipe:
- Prep time: 5 min
- Total time: 5 min
Italian Marinated Tempeh
This is great as a side dish, but my favorite way to use it is as part of the Tempeh Salad. Makes 4 servings.
1 8 ounce package tempeh
1 batch Italian Marinade recipe (see above)
Cut tempeh into 1 to 1/2 inch wide cubes. Combine marinade and tempeh in a sealed bowl. Cover and shake well until all pieces are coated.
Place in the refrigerator for one hour or overnight shaking the container every now and again (when you think of it) to coat all pieces. The tempeh will begin to absorb all the marinade.
When ready to cook, heat a non-stick skillet over medium low heat. Add tempeh and any liquid and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring to turn the pieces until all of the liquid has evaporated or been absorbed. Serve immediately or keep in a covered container in fridge.
Variations
- Slice the tempeh into larger strips and grill them instead of cooking them on the stove.
- Omit the tamari in the marinade for a low-sodium version. Add a little extra balsamic vinegar or water if you need more liquid.
- Can be easily made gluten-free.
More information for Italian Marinated Tempeh recipe:
- Prep time: 5 min
- Cook time: 10 min
- Total time: 15 min
Pictured: Italian Marinated Tempeh used on a Tempeh Salad.
Serve with tortilla chips and salsa or as a topping for many salads. I even use it in place of mayonnaise on sandwiches, and it’s great on BLTs. This makes a great side dish for parties or as an appetizer or snack. Makes 6 to 8 servings.
2 avocados
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup chopped mango
1/2 lime (squeezed for lime juice)
cayenne pepper and salt to taste
4 sprigs of fresh cilantro (chopped)
Scoop the avocados out of the shells, but save the pits. Lightly mash with a fork in a small mixing bowl. Add onion, mango, salt, pepper and lime. Stir to combine. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.
If you are keeping the guacamole for a while, throw the pits on top of the guacamole to slow the browning process.
Variations
- Omit the mango for a more traditional guacamole.
- Add some extra cilantro just for fun.
- Someone here in this house likes to replace the onion with garlic, but the garlic always seems a little overpowering to me.
- Can be easily made low-sodium and gluten-free.
More information for Mango Guacamole recipe:
- Prep time: 10 min
- Total time: 10 min
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.
Vegan Food That Isn't Weird