Ingredients
2 - 3 blocks of firm tofu
3 - 4 tablespoons olive oil
3 - 4 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 tablespoon mustard
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon paprika powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon miso paste (optional)
½ teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
Directions
Step 1
Prepare the Tofu:
Step 1
Heat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
Step 2
Crumble the tofu into the pan, allowing it to crisp up for about 5 minutes until it starts to turn golden.
Step 3
Add Olive Oil:
Step 1
Pour the olive oil over the crumbled tofu. Continue cooking, stirring often, until the tofu is even more crispy, approximately 5-7 minutes.
Step 2
Incorporate Dry Ingredients:
Step 1
Add the nutritional yeast, paprika, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix well and cook for 1-2 minutes to allow the spices to release their flavors.
Step 2
Add Wet Ingredients:
Step 1
Reduce the heat to medium. Combine the ketchup, mustard, rice vinegar, and soy sauce. If using miso paste, blend it in now; otherwise, proceed without it. Stir everything thoroughly to ensure the tofu is well coated. Add a splash of water if the mixture is too dry.
Step 2
Let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3
Final Seasoning:
Step 1
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Enhance saltiness with more soy sauce, sweetness with extra ketchup, or tanginess with additional rice vinegar.
Step 2
Serve:
Step 1
Serve your vegan "ground beef" hot. It's perfect as a topping over rice, within tacos, as a burrito filling, mixed into vegan Bolognese, or as a hearty sandwich stuffing.
