Growing up in a vegetarian, whole grain, milk-straight-from-the-cow/goat type house means that “comfort food” doesn’t necessarily mean your standard mac ‘n cheese.
Nope, my comfort foods are baked sweet potatoes, brown rice, and pan fried tofu with nutritional yeast.
This method of cooking tofu was standard in my childhood house. In fact, I think we rarely had it any other way! Years after all the girls in the neighborhood had moved out of their parents homes one of my oldest friends asked me for the recipe. Recipe? What recipe, that’s just how you make tofu!
I now make tofu all kinds of ways; baked, stuffed, in lasagna, scrambled with eggs, in stir frys, but pan fried with nutritional yeast will remain forever classic and comforting.
Classic ‘n Cozy Pan Fried Tofu with Nutritional Yeast
Here’s the non-recipe.
Slice extra-firm, organic tofu into thin pieces.
Pour some yeast into a shallow dish and coat each slice of tofu with it.
Heat a skillet over medium heat with a teaspoon or two of your favorite cooking oil.
I used coconut, which is a departure from the olive oil I’m pretty sure my dad used. I love the flavor coconut oil brings to this dish plus there is some evidence that most vegetable oils have a imbalance of Omega-6 to Omega-3, which means they cause ill effect in the body.
Set slices in hot skillet.
Sprinkle slices with soy sauce and flip after a few minutes.
Serve!
This tofu is great on sandwiches, salads, served with mashed potatoes, or on top of brown rice. 😉
Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers, and comments on my health issues. It’s an amazing feeling to know so many people are wishing me well and I am sure that it will help in my recovery. I am feeling pretty good today, little to no pain and I am feeling good about my decision to have gotten the procedure.
Have a great weekend!
Thank you for sharing this “non” recipe. It looks so delicious and I am going to try this method. Glad you are feeling better. Thanks again.
Love your new header!!!
Also, can we do dinner next week and make this!?
Of course!
I’ve never eaten tofu or nutritional yeast. The education of my tastebuds is just beginning.
Hi Faith,
I love your blog a lot and figured it’s time I start commenting! First, nutritional yeast and tofu – two things I love and have never put together! I can’t wait to try this! Second, I wish you well in your recovery and thank you for these posts. I think it’s a good thing to share this kind of stuff. A good mix of food, gardening, and whatever else you have to talk about is cool with me 🙂
Thanks Lori, I really appreciate your feed back.
I can’t wait to try this – I love nutritional yeast but mostly just mix it with water and eat it over eggs or pasta to replace cheese.
Thanks for the easy recipe & a great blog.
Also, hope your recovery goes well.
Thanks!
Nutritional yeast is also great mixed into scrambled eggs before you cook them!
Faith, what a good idea! I’m never sure what to do with nutritional yeast. I have some tofu that I opened earlier in the week. And I have nutritional yeast in the cabinet wondering when I’m going to use it. Great thought, thanks!
i never thought to coat tofu in nutritional yeast, but that does sound tasty! from your “recipe” you don’t do the regular press process to drain the water?
I don’t press it but only because the tofu I get (Local Twin Oaks tofu) is very firm. If your tofu is a little softer you probably are going to need to press it for better texture.
I never knew what to do with nutritional yeast when I had it in the house… Thanks so much for posting this. Hope you’re feeling better 🙂
While I did not invent this dish, I appreciate the shout out. After flipping the slices, I sprinkled tamari on top of each. I may have originally learned this ‘recipe’ from The Farm in Tennessee, that did a lot to popularize nutirituional “Yummy Yeast”, the tasteful supplement/condiment alternative to brewers yeast.
I’m so glad you’re feeling better! I love this tofu post — I always find it intriguing how what is normal for one is a whole new world for another. I look forward to trying this — thanks!
this is EXACTLY what i grew up eating, too! and oddly enough, one of my old friends asked mom for the recipe too. i’m so happy i found your blog!
Yay! Tofu-eating kids unite! 🙂