Honey Mustard Crispy Tofu with Cheesy Cajun Pasta
Savor the crunch of golden-brown honey mustard tofu, perfectly marinated for a burst of flavor, served alongside creamy, zesty Cajun pasta that sings with cheesy goodness. This easy-to-make dish is a delightful fusion of textures and tastes that will leave your taste buds dancing. Get ready for a meal that’s as fun to prepare as it is to eat!
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
intermediate
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
450
Protein
28g
Carbs
42g
Fat
15g
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) cajun seasoning
- 4 stems cavolonero
- 1 handful cheese
- 400 g can chopped tomatoes
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) garlic herb seasonings
- 1 cup (237 ml) panko breadcrumbs
- 1 ½ cups (355 ml) pasta
- 6 stems tender-stem broccoli
- ½ block tofu
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) tomato paste
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- agave syrup or honey (to taste)
- apple cider vinegar (to taste)
- chilli oil (to taste)
- dijon mustard (to taste)
- garlic (to taste)
- garlic mayo (to taste)
- onion (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
- salt (to taste)
- spray oil (to taste)
- sweet red pepper (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Slice the tofu into slabs and coat on all sides with garlic mayo.
- 2
Mix panko breadcrumbs with garlic herb seasonings and coat the tofu in the mixture.
- 3
Spray with cooking oil and bake in the oven or air fryer for 15-20 minutes until crispy and golden.
- 4
In a pan, heat oil and cook the onion and red pepper with salt and pepper until softened.
- 5
Add garlic, tomato paste, and Cajun seasoning to the pan, stir, and cook for a minute before adding chopped tomatoes.
- 6
Cook pasta in salted water according to package instructions, reserving some pasta water.
- 7
Blend the Cajun pasta sauce with 3 tbsp of reserved pasta water until smooth, then combine with the cooked pasta and grated cheese, seasoning to taste.
- 8
In a skillet, cook the greens with remaining garlic until tender, about 5-6 minutes.
- 9
Mix honey mustard glaze ingredients and toss the cooked crispy tofu in it.
- 10
Plate the pasta, top with greens and crispy tofu, and enjoy!
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Press tofu for 30 minutes under 2-3 pounds of weight to remove 40-50% of moisture, creating better surface adhesion for the garlic mayo coating.technique30 minutes, 40-50% moisture removal
- ✓Bake tofu at 425°F instead of lower temperatures because the Maillard reaction accelerates above 320°F, creating the golden crust in your 15-20 minute window.technique425°F
- ✓Reserve pasta water before adding salt reaches full dissolution - the starchy, less-salty water at 180-190°F emulsifies better with cheese than fully salted water.timing180-190°F
- ✓Toast Cajun seasoning in the pan for 30-45 seconds before adding liquids to bloom the spices and increase flavor compounds by 60-80%.technique30-45 seconds
- ✓Add cheese to pasta off heat at 140-160°F to prevent proteins from seizing - too hot and you'll get grainy clumps instead of creamy sauce.technique140-160°F
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