Pica Tofu, impressed by the basic pica pollo, seasoned with Dominican spices and baked to crispy perfection. A high-protein, low saturated plant-based various that satisfies.
Why You’ll Love Pica Tofu
- A brand new approach to take pleasure in your tofu. I personally consider that should you haven’t fallen in love with tofu simply but, it’s since you haven’t discovered the fitting recipe but. This recipe is an homage to “pica pollo”, and makes use of a few of my favourite Dominican seasonings to present our tofu a serious taste increase.
- One other approach to increase your protein consumption. If you’re in search of methods to spice up your protein consumption, this recipe will help you get nearer to that objective! When utilizing tremendous agency tofu, this recipe supplies about 23g of protein per serving.
- Baked and low in saturated fats. I like fried meals, however consuming them too recurrently could make it tough to get within the vitamins you must thrive and cut back continual illness threat. Through the use of tofu as a protein supply after which sharing a way the place you may bake this as a substitute of frying, you get an choice that’s nonetheless extremely satisfying and enjoyable to “choose at”.
What’s Pica Pollo?
Pica pollo is a conventional Dominican fried hen dish, recognized for its flavorful crispy coating. When instantly translated from Spanish, “pica” means to “choose at” or “nibble” and “pollo” means hen. Usually, road distributors promote this with the goal of serving their fried hen in a approach that’s straightforward to eat together with your palms.
In relation to preparation, the hen tends to be parboiled to assist be sure that the hen is absolutely cooked when frying. The hen is then coated in a seasoned flour generally together with spices like adobo and sazòn within the combine. After cooking, you’ll usually see this hen served with sides like fried plantains or rice and beans.
Making Pica Pollo Plant-Primarily based
I do know what you’re most likely considering, “how dare you make this plant-based?” Insert offended confronted emoji and pitchforks I do know that sharing issues like this may be polarizing, however my intention is to at all times present an choice that includes the tradition I am keen on and grew up with in recipes I can nonetheless take pleasure in recurrently. If something, my tradition has taught me methods to love meals unapologetically.
I additionally really feel that this can be a nice alternative to encourage further protein-rich choices that additionally present coronary heart protecting advantages. Having a baked choice that’s low in saturated fats simply means to can benefit from the flavors you’re keen on just a little extra usually, and I’m by no means going to say no to that.
Key Elements and Substitutions
- Tofu: This recipe might be made utilizing each tremendous agency tofu and further agency tofu. If utilizing further agency tofu, no urgent is required, it should agency up after it has been boiled and cooled. If you wish to higher perceive this response, I’ve it defined within the Steadily Requested Questions part.
- Latin Seasonings: I used each sazòn and adobo. The quantity of salt in both will likely be depending on the model, so take note of the quantity used on the label earlier than you resolve on the quantity you need to use for the recipe. I additionally advocate utilizing Dominican or Mexican oregano as a substitute of normal oregano, however should you don’t have that obtainable, be happy to go away it out or add some thyme as a substitute. Should you don’t have entry to sazòn or adobo, I’d recommend making an attempt a distinct seasoning salt that you just like.
- Lime: For greatest taste, I do advocate recent. Lemon can work should you don’t have lime.
- Shallot: I used shallots as they are typically the proper measurement for this recipe, however be happy to make use of half of a small onion as a substitute.
- Garlic Cloves: Don’t change with jarred garlic. Should you don’t have recent cloves, depart them out with the water boil, however do add some garlic powder to your dry seasoning combine.
- Tamari or Bouillon: Be happy to make use of both or to assist taste the broth. You’ll be able to both use 2 tbsp tamari or use half a vegetable based mostly bouillon or vegan “hen” bouillon like Edward’s & Son.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: I take advantage of a splash for flavoring the tofu. If not a fan of this, please be happy to make use of extra lime juice if desired.
- Potato Starch: For me, the feel and taste tends to come back out higher after I use potato starch. Should you don’t have this obtainable, please be happy to make use of cornstarch.
- Cilantro: Just some sprigs are wanted for the boiling water, however this will simply get replaced with some recent parsley sprigs as a substitute.
- Ketchup: I wouldn’t advocate substituting, however do be aware that you should use the model or number of ketchup you must meet your dietary wants.
- Mayo: Not a fan of mayo? Do this with a thick plant-based yogurt as a substitute! I like Kite Hill, Forager Mission, and Silk’s plain soy yogurt.
- Oil: I have a tendency to make use of avocado oil for two causes, it’s a nice high-heat oil that’s excessive in monounsaturated fat and it’s simpler to search out in a glass bottle in comparison with different high-heat oils. Be happy to make use of different high-heat impartial oils based mostly in your desire.
Tips on how to Make Pica Tofu
Take away the tofu from packaging and drain any water the tofu is sitting in. Tear the tofu into 1 inch chunks, place in a medium sauce pan, then squeeze the lime juice over the tofu.
To the pot, add the shallots, and garlic cloves, then pour in 4 cups of water or sufficient water to cowl the tofu if not absolutely submerged. Pour within the tamari then prime with the cilantro and a few salt (I used about 2 teaspoons). Place the pot on the range prime and convey to a boil, then enable to prepare dinner for quarter-hour. As you wait, pre-heat the oven to 425F.
Take away the pot from warmth, then discard the shallot, garlic cloves, and cilantro. Drain the tofu by way of a big sieve and relaxation it over the pot to permit the tofu to proceed draining and cooling for about 5-10 minutes.
To a small bowl mix the potato starch, adobo, sazòn, paprika, oregano, and a pinch of black pepper. If utilizing a low salt or salt free adobo or sazòn, do think about including a pinch of salt right here to assist taste the coating. For reference, I used the adobo and sazòn from Pisqueya for this, which is low sodium and added about 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the dry elements.
Place the tofu in a big resealable bag then pour within the dry seasoning combine (generally I’ll simply filter the identical pot with a lid to make use of for seasoning). Seal the container then give the tofu a delicate toss to coat. Now add the vinegar and oil, reseal the bag and shake till the tofu is totally coated.
Switch the tofu to a parchment lined baking tray, ensuring you permit just a little area between every bit of tofu.
Bake on the underside rack for 20 minutes. Give the tofu a flip, then bake on the center rack for 8-10 minutes till golden and crisp across the edges. If the tofu is trying dry earlier than flipping, drizzle the tofu with 1-2 teaspoons of additional oil earlier than baking once more.
Whilst you wait, make the sauce by combining the mayo, ketchup, paprika, garlic, lime and a beneficiant pinch of salt to a small bowl. Whisk to mix then style and regulate salt as wanted.
Serve the tofu together with the sauce and revel in!
Professional Ideas
- Make this recipe larger protein by selecting an excellent agency tofu. Tremendous agency tofu refers to a tofu that’s denser than further agency tofu. As a substitute of being packaged in a bath of water, tremendous agency tofu tends to come back in vacuum sealed packaging and is perhaps labeled utilizing phrases like “tremendous agency tofu”, “excessive protein tofu”, or “pressed tofu.”
- Change the feel. If you’d like the within of your tofu to have a texture nearer to that of a hen nugget and don’t thoughts some further prep time added to the recipe, I’d advocate freezing your tofu. To do that, simply take away the tofu from it’s bundle of water then place the tofu in an hermetic container within the freezer. As soon as frozen, enable to thaw utterly then use your palms to softly squeeze out a few of the water. Tear it into chunks and proceed with the recipe as written.
- For a extremely shut fried texture, do that tip. After the preliminary baking time, take away the tray from the oven and drizzle or spray with further oil. Give the whole lot a superb toss and bake once more for a number of extra minutes till absolutely crisp and golden.
- Be aware of sodium. Completely different manufacturers of adobo and sazon can have various ranges of sodium. They’re seasoning salts for a cause. Should you use manufacturers which can be decrease in sodium, chances are you’ll need to add further salt as wanted to assist deliver out the flavors of the seasonings. If you’re utilizing the total salt varieties, chances are you’ll not want further salt within the coating.
- Tips on how to prep to save lots of time. If you wish to ingredient prep this recipe forward of time, I’d recommend boiling your tofu upfront. Let it cool and retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. When prepared to make use of, all it’s a must to do is coat in your seasoning flour then bake it off, which helps then make this recipe come collectively in half-hour.
- Frying suggestions. By all means, should you nonetheless need to fry, be my visitor. To fry, skip including the oil and vinegar to the tofu, which can depart you with dry seasoned floured tofu. Add sufficient of a impartial excessive warmth oil like avocado oil to come back up about 1 cm up the perimeters of a tall sided sauté pan. Add the tofu and prepare dinner undisturbed for 3-5 minutes, flip the tofu and prepare dinner for one more 4 minutes till the tofu is golden and crisp. Switch the tofu to a paper towel lined plate and repeat with any remaining tofu.
Steadily Requested Questions
Urgent tofu is useful in relation to eradicating extra water out of your tofu for a recipe. Nevertheless, there are completely different strategies for firming up and flavoring your tofu. For this preparation, we’re boiling the tofu in some salted water. By doing this, the warmth and salt assist to attract out the water from the tofu and assist draw within the taste whereas firming the tofu up. It’s possible you’ll discover instantly after boiling that the tofu continues to be just a little tender, however after a couple of minutes of cooling, the tofu corporations up considerably.
So long as you’re utilizing a gluten-free tamari or soy sauce, this recipe is gluten-free as written.
I like to recommend utilizing a low salt number of adobo and sazòn. This manner you may add the quantity of salt you assume is greatest for the breading. Should you use a excessive sodium adobo just like the one from the model Goya, I’d recommend reducing the quantity of adobo utilized by half. Do be aware that whereas we’re boiling the tofu in a salted water, not all of the salt will likely be absorbed into the tofu. The salt helps to taste the tofu in the same approach that you’d closely salt water to boil pasta in. If you’re actually salt delicate, you may simply depend on the soy sauce within the water and keep away from the extra salt really useful within the recipe.
For the very best texture, I do advocate making this recipe recent. Nevertheless, you may prep elements of this meal upfront to assist save time with cooking. You’ll be able to boil your tofu upfront, then retailer within the fridge for as much as 4 days, then proceed with the remainder of the recipe when you’re prepared. Should you make the tofu and have leftovers, enable them to chill utterly then place in an hermetic storage container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. You’ll be able to reheat them to assist deliver again a few of the crispiness. To do that, place the tofu in a toaster oven at 375F for 5-8 minutes to heat by way of. It’s also possible to place in a preheated air fryer at 370F for five minutes.
I’ve solely examined this recipe within the oven, however it ought to work in an air fryer as nicely. I’d bake at 400F for 10 minutes, give the tofu a toss and bake for one more 5-8 minutes till the skin is golden and crisp. It’s possible you’ll want to regulate the prepare dinner time based mostly in your private air fryer, because the effectiveness of the warmth and circulation can range between fashions. When roasting, do ensure you have used sufficient oil to assist the skin crisp with out drying out.
Make It Balanced
The tofu and sauce depend in the direction of your protein and fat. If you’d like this recipe to supply a excessive quantity of protein, I’d recommend utilizing tremendous agency tofu. One serving of this recipe utilizing tremendous agency tofu will present 23g of protein. You should use this tofu as a facet or appetizer, or flip it right into a meal by together with some starches and greens based mostly in your desire.
Usually, Pica Pollo is served with fried plantains (I’ve an air fryer model right here) and/or Moro. And if you wish to add in some greens in some capability, you may at all times embrace issues like sliced avocado, escabeche, or ensalada verde (a inexperienced cabbage base tossed in a Dominican-style French dressing) with the meal to maintain it extra Dominican themed. Nevertheless, if you wish to use different greens, by all means, go for it!
Be taught to Love Tofu with These Recipes
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Description
Pica Tofu, impressed by the basic pica pollo, seasoned with Dominican spices and baked to crispy perfection. A high-protein, low saturated plant-based various that satisfies.
Pica Tofu
Dressing/Dip (non-obligatory)
- Take away the tofu from packaging and drain any water the tofu is sitting in. Tear the tofu into 1 inch chunks, place in a medium sauce pan, then squeeze the lime juice over the tofu.
- To the pot, add the shallots, and garlic cloves, then pour in 4 cups of water or sufficient water to cowl the tofu if not absolutely submerged. Pour within the tamari then prime with the cilantro and a few salt (I used about 2 teaspoons). Place the pot on the range prime and convey to a boil, then enable to prepare dinner for quarter-hour. As you wait, pre-heat the oven to 425F.
- Take away the pot from warmth, then discard the shallot, garlic cloves, and cilantro. Drain the tofu by way of a big sieve and relaxation it over the pot to permit the tofu to proceed draining and cooling for about 5-10 minutes.
- To a small bowl mix the potato starch, adobo, sazòn, paprika, oregano, and a pinch of black pepper. If utilizing a low salt or salt free adobo or sazòn, do think about including a pinch of salt right here to assist taste the coating. For reference, I used the adobo and sazòn from Pisqueya for this, which is low sodium and added about 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the dry elements.
- Place the tofu in a big resealable bag then pour within the dry seasoning combine (generally I’ll simply filter the identical pot with a lid to make use of for seasoning). Seal the container then give the tofu a delicate toss to coat. Now add the vinegar and oil, reseal the bag and shake till the tofu is totally coated.
- Switch the tofu to a parchment lined baking tray, ensuring you permit just a little area between every bit of tofu.
- Bake on the underside rack for 20 minutes. Give the tofu a flip, then bake on the center rack for 8-10 minutes till golden and crisp across the edges. If the tofu is trying dry earlier than flipping, drizzle the tofu with 1-2 teaspoons of additional oil earlier than baking once more.
- Whilst you wait, make the sauce by combining the mayo, ketchup, paprika, garlic, lime and a beneficiant pinch of salt to a small bowl. Whisk to mix then style and regulate salt as wanted.
- Serve the tofu together with the sauce and revel in with some plantains for the total Dominican expertise.
Notes
Make this recipe larger protein by selecting an excellent agency tofu. Tremendous agency tofu refers to a tofu that’s denser than further agency tofu. As a substitute of being packaged in a bath of water, tremendous agency tofu tends to come back in vacuum sealed packaging and is perhaps labeled utilizing phrases like “tremendous agency tofu”, “excessive protein tofu”, or “pressed tofu.”
Change the feel. If you’d like the within of your tofu to have a texture nearer to that of a hen nugget and don’t thoughts some further prep time added to the recipe, I’d advocate freezing your tofu. To do that, simply take away the tofu from it’s bundle of water then place the tofu in an hermetic container within the freezer. As soon as frozen, enable to thaw utterly then use your palms to softly squeeze out a few of the water. Tear it into chunks and proceed with the recipe as written.
For a extremely shut fried texture, do that tip. After the preliminary baking time, take away the tray from the oven and drizzle or spray with further oil. Give the whole lot a superb toss and bake once more for a number of extra minutes till absolutely crisp and golden.
Be aware of sodium. Completely different manufacturers of adobo and sazon can have various ranges of sodium. They’re seasoning salts for a cause. Should you use manufacturers which can be decrease in sodium, chances are you’ll need to add further salt as wanted to assist deliver out the flavors of the seasonings. If you’re utilizing the total salt varieties, chances are you’ll not want further salt within the coating.
Tips on how to prep to save lots of time. If you wish to ingredient prep this recipe forward of time, I’d recommend boiling your tofu upfront. Let it cool and retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. When prepared to make use of, all it’s a must to do is coat in your seasoning flour then bake it off, which helps then make this recipe come collectively in half-hour.
Frying suggestions. By all means, should you nonetheless need to fry, be my visitor. To fry, skip including the oil and vinegar to the tofu, which can depart you with dry seasoned floured tofu. Add sufficient of a impartial excessive warmth oil like avocado oil to come back up about 1 cm up the perimeters of a tall sided sauté pan. Add the tofu and prepare dinner undisturbed for 3-5 minutes, flip the tofu and prepare dinner for one more 4 minutes till the tofu is golden and crisp. Switch the tofu to a paper towel lined plate and repeat with any remaining tofu.
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