Palak Tofu

I have discovered over the past few months that Tofu is much healthier substitute of paneer, and infact I like it more than I like paneer. I always disliked palak-paneer but discovered it was more due to the "malai" taste of paneer. Tofu is much better in that sense, no malai taste, highly spongy and very healthy!

Garlic Tofu Spinach (A type of appetizer)

Ingredients:
1/2 packet Spinach
1/2 packet Tofu
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tomato
1/4 cup chopped red bell peppers
black pepper
garlic powder
salt to taste
1-2 tbsp oil
1-2 tsp chopped pecans/walnuts (optional)

Preparation:

1. Cut the tofu cubes, cover them in garlic powder and keep them aside for 5-10 minutes.
2. In a pan boil the spinach and red bell peppers with enough water to cook them. Add salt to taste.
3. After they are cooked, add the chopped tomato and cook for 2 minutes.
4. In a different pan, shallow fry the tofu cubes in oil until golder brown. Add turmeric powder and black pepper and mix gently.
5. In a plate, make a base of the cooked vegetables. Put the fried tofu peices on top. Garnish with pecans/walnuts.

General tip - I found this recipe on the internet, with additions of brocolli. I personally don't like brocolli so kept it out. Also I personally found the vegetable mix a little too tangy. To do it differently, I would reduce the red bell peppers and tomato to 1/2 this amount, or probably just use spinach.



Palak Tofu - Like Palak Paneer

Ingredients:

1 packet palak (spinach)
1/2 packet tofu (preferably firm)
1 onion
1 tomato
1 tsp minced garlic or garlic paste
3-4 green chilies
rai, jeera, jeera powder (for regular masala)
salt to taste

Preparation:

1. Boil the Palak in about 2 cups of water with salt. You could just microwave it for 3 minutes.
2. In a pan heat 1tsp oil. Add rai, jeera, onion, tomato, minced garlic and crushed/cut green chilies to it, like in regular tadka.
3. Once the palak and the tadka is cooked, girnd the palak with the tadka in a mixer.
4. Remove the mixture is a pan. Add cubes of tofu and some jeera powder to the paste. Add about 2-3 tsp milk, just for the colour.
5. Cook for about 5 minutes. The palak tofu will be ready to serve :)