loppy joes are the kind of food you don't want to stop eating.If you don't eat meat, you may find yourself reminiscing about the times you ate a messy sandwich while snacking on a less exciting snack.Tofu to the rescue.Tofu can be used as a meat substitute that won't cause you to compromise when it comes to flavor.Throw it into your mom's classic sloppy joe recipe and you'll feel like a kid again.
Step 1: Take the tofu out.
Take the tofu out of the package and let the water run out.Place the tofu on a plate and drape a paper towel over it.Place a heavy object on top of the tofu block.This will force the excess water out of the tofu.Tofu can be left under constant compression for 20 to 30 minutes.sloppy joes can be watery if the tofu is not squeezed out first.
Step 2: Tofu can be diced into cubes.
Use a sharp knife to cut a block of tofu, slicing it first into long, narrow strips, then turning the strips into pieces of the desired size.Put tofu into pea-sized squares to make sloppy joes.You can leave the cubes slightly bigger if you prefer heartier sandwiches.Tofu can be mashed or crumbled with a fork.The tofu will cook faster if it is cut into smaller pieces.
Step 3: Cut the onions, garlic and other vegetables.
You can include onions, mushrooms, fresh tomatoes, or any other vegetables.It should be the same size as the tofu.Don't bite into garlic if it's extra fine.You could use a head of scallions or shallots instead of the regular white onion.To make a thick paste, grate the cloves into a garlic press.
Step 4: The pan has oil in it.
When the pan is full of vegetable oil, turn the stove on to high heat.Spread the oil by tilting the pan.The pan should be hot before you start cooking.Butter can be used in place of oil.
Step 5: Sear the garlic and onions.
Prepare your aromatic ingredients by tossing them into the pan.The tofu will be infused with their flavors after this.When the garlic and onions are translucent, they begin to brown.The tofu will have a noticeable richness from the caramelized aromatics.Don't cook the onions and garlic until they burn.The flavor of sloppy joes could be ruined by this.
Step 6: Tofu can be fried until it is crisp.
Put the tofu and aromatics together.After about 3 minutes, let the tofu cook.It will take on a golden brown finish when it fries.The tofu should be dusted with a coating of rice flour or cornstarch before it is pan fried.Tofu doesn't change colors dramatically when cooked, so look for the edges to just begin turning golden brown, and be careful not to get it too done.
Step 7: Tofu should be prepared to taste.
The tofu should be sprinkled with salt, chili powder, onion powder and paprika.Black or white pepper can be added if you want.If you sample a piece of tofu, make sure it is seasoned just right.When you add canned tomatoes and other condiments, you will be increasing the saltiness.A couple shakes of an all-purpose blend, such as Creole or Greek seasoning, is a good way to enhance the flavor of tofu.
Step 8: Put the tomatoes, condiments and mustard in a container.
Put the diced tomatoes in with tofu.Add 1-112 cups of condiments.Once they are thoroughly blended, add the ingredients.Substitute a can of tomato puree for the sauce.
Step 9: Make your own additions.
You can use a few other delicious extras to make your own personal stamp on the recipe at this point.Green pepper, white mushrooms, and chopped nuts are all vegetarian friendly.Adding a dash of soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, sugar or fresh parsley to the sauce can make it taste different.You can turn up the heat with half a can of peppers.Don't add too much sugar to the sauce because it will make it sweeter.
Step 10: Bring the mixture to a boil for a while.
The sauce will bubbles around the edges of the pan if the cooktop is turned down to medium heat.The pan should be left uncovered to stir occasionally.As it cooks, this will allow it to expand.For a thicker consistency, allow the sloppy joe mix to cook for an additional 5 minutes.The more time you take to cook the sloppy joe mix, the better it will be.
Step 11: The sloppy joes should be served on hamburger buns.
The sloppy joe mix can be served with a spoon or ladle.The way grandma used to eat was with two slices of plain white sandwich bread on toast and buttered whole wheat hamburger buns.Take a big, messy bite by grabbing hold with both hands.Wrap hamburger buns in a paper towel and microwave them for a few seconds, or butter them and stick them in the oven until the edges begin to brown.Don't forget to clean up the mess on your plate with your bun.
Step 12: Enjoy sloppy joe mix as you please.
There are no rules for how to eat a sloppy joe in a hamburger bun.The tofu mix can make a filling breakfast when piled onto a slice of toast and topped with an egg and will be positively delicious stuffed inside a warm tortilla with shredded lettuce, cheese, salsa and jalapenos.It doesn't have to be boring just because it's simple.Tofu sloppy joes can be served in lettuce wraps to cut down on calories and fat.The leftover mix can be used to make vegetarian nachos.
Step 13: It's a good idea to heat up some traditional sides.
No sloppy joe is complete without a heaping mound of mac and cheese or tater tots.steamed seasonal veggies, sweet potato fries or fruit cocktail are lighter options for those looking for a lighter option.It is hard to go wrong with comfort foods like sloppy joes.It's a good idea to balance out the hot sloppy joes with a salad.Pair tofu sloppy joes with your family's favorite dishes.
Step 14: You can store leftovers in the fridge.
For up to a week, sloppy joe mix can be kept in the refrigerator.Pop the cold mix in the microwave for 45 seconds to a minute at a time, stirring between heatings.Sloppy joes are equally good as an afternoon snack for the kids or an easy dinner for one when the pantry is empty.After the flavors of the individual ingredients have had more time to mingle, sloppy joes are often even better.hamburger buns or bread should be cooked separately.Microwaving them for too long can make them tough.