Tofu Bacon

Adapted from:  VegWeb (recipe submitted by Julie Gross)

Ingredients

• 1 package firm tofu (each block carefully sliced into 16 pieces)
• 6 Tbsp soy sauce (low sodium)  <-- try Lee Kum Kee brand, you'll love it!
• 1 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
• Pepper (freshly ground)
• Nutritional yeast flakes (optional)

1.  Mix soy sauce and liquid smoke.  Set aside.

2.  Heat seasoned cast iron skill over medium-low heat.  Spray with Pam
     cooking spray.  In small batches as necessary, add tofu slices.

Tofu slices added to seasoned cast iron skillet

3.  Set the timer for 5-minutes and carefully move tofu slices throughout
     the process.

4.  Spray top of slices with Pam before flipping and cooking another 5-
     minutes, moving occasionally.

Flipped after 5-minutes

5.  Based upon appearance, flip again and continue cooking until crisp golden
     browned.

6.  Carefully spoon soy sauce + liquid smoke mix using appropriate portion of
     mixture (based on how many batches it's going to take).

7.  Grind fresh pepper onto tofu slices.

8.  Sprinkle with nutritional yeast flakes (optional).

9.  Repeat process until all strips have been prepared.

"It's BACON!  Vegetarians don't know it's not bacon!"

Ha!  It's killing you, isn't it?  Inquiring minds wanna know, "So?  How was it?"  "Does it really taste just like bacon?"  "How about the texture?" Gosh ~ you folks are the inquisitive bunch!

No.  It does not taste exactly like bacon.  But, let's be honest here.  Does any non-meat substitute truly taste exactly like its carnivore counterpart?  No.  Perhaps the correct question would be, "Does it taste good?"  "Is it delicious?"  "Would you make it again?"  The answer to these questions my friends is yes, yes and yes.

It is scrumptious, is quite similar to bacon, is both crispy and chewy, and look at the nutrition below.  You can't go wrong with tofu, folks!  I do need to refine the recipe and method.  Maybe tweak the ratio of soy sauce and liquid smoke.  Maybe add a skoosh of sea salt.  Perhaps set the range one level higher?

However, you can't go wrong.  It's simple, delicious, and nutritious.  Isn't that what we're truly looking for?  I want it to be effortless. It has to taste good.  And it can't be calorie laden (for me).

Nutrition per slice

Hi-dee hi-dee yummy bacon-ho my friends!

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