Crushed pistachios elevate this crispy baked tofu to gourmet heights. Serve it with fruit-based Sweet and Sour Sauce, recipe included.

After looking for them for months, I finally managed to find a 1-pound bag of shelled, unroasted pistachios at the Indian grocery. Of course, after all that time I’d forgotten what it was I planned to do with them, so they’ve been languishing in my fridge for a couple of weeks, tempting me to open the bag and just start snacking.

Eventually they’ll find their way into pilafs and pesto, but in this recipe they add a little pizazz to breaded tofu. I dipped the tofu into a sweet and spicy mustard-based sauce before dredging it in pistachio-spiked breadcrumbs.

The tofu was tasty on its own, but I decided to carry the sweet and spicy theme one step further and add my daughter’s favorite sauce, an easy version of the “duck sauce” found in Chinese restaurants. With so many competing flavors, it sounds like a mess, but somehow it works: crunchy yet tender, sweet yet sour, nutty yet…? Well, you get the idea. It’s a symphony in your mouth!

One note: Although the photo shows the sauce in a dipping bowl, I found that it’s better just to pour the sauce over the tofu; otherwise the breading falls off, and you get a dipping bowl full of soggy crumbs.

Print Pin 5 from 10 votes Add to Recipe BoxGo to Recipe Box Pistachio Crusted Tofu Pistachios and bread crumbs form a crunchy crust on flavorful, marinated tofu. Prep Time 20 minutes Cook Time 20 minutes Total Time 40 minutes Servings 4 Author Susan Voisin Ingredients 14 ounces firm or extra firm tofu 14 ounces firm or extra firm tofu

2 tablespoons soy sauce low sodium 2 tablespoons soy sauce low sodium

1 1/2 slices whole wheat bread 1 1/2 slices whole wheat bread

1/2 cup pistachio nuts 1/2 cup pistachio nuts

ground pepper — to taste ground pepper — to taste

2 tablespoons spicy prepared mustard 2 tablespoons spicy prepared mustard

2 tablespoons maple syrup 2 tablespoons maple syrup

1/2 tablespoon soy sauce low sodium 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce low sodium

1 tablespoon vegan mayonnaise 1 tablespoon vegan mayonnaise Instructions Preheat oven to 400F; prepare a baking sheet by either oiling it lightly or lining it with a silicone liner.

Cut the tofu into 8 1/2-inch slices and dry them lightly with paper towels. Brush both sides of the tofu with the 2 tablespoons soy sauce and set aside to marinate for at least 10 minutes.

While the tofu is marinating, place the bread into the food processor and pulse into fine crumbs. Measure out 1 cup of crumbs into a wide, shallow bowl. (Save any remaining crumbs for another use.) Pulse the pistachios in the processor until they are reduced to fine crumbs. Add them to the bread crumbs along with a generous grating of black pepper, and mix well.

In another shallow bowl, combine the mustard, syrup, soy sauce, and mayo.

Dip a slice of tofu into the mustard mixture, lightly coating all sides; then place it into the bread crumbs, sprinkle crumbs over the top and sides, and lightly press them into the tofu. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with all slices of tofu.

Put the tofu into the oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until bread crumbs are golden brown. Serve with the sauce of your choice, such as the Easy Sweet and Sour Sauce below. Nutrition Facts Pistachio Crusted Tofu Amount Per Serving (1 serving) Calories 253 Calories from Fat 135 % Daily Value* Fat 15g 23% Sodium 570mg 25% Carbohydrates 19g 6% Fiber 4g 17% Protein 14g 28% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Tried this recipe? Post a photo to Instagram and tag @susanffvk

Try it with this simple sauce:

Print 5 from 10 votes Add to Recipe BoxGo to Recipe Box Ridiculously Easy Sweet and Sour Sauce Prep Time 5 minutes Total Time 5 minutes Servings 4 Author Susan Voisin Ingredients 3 tablespoons peach preserves or All-Fruit spread 3 tablespoons peach preserves or All-Fruit spread

1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

1/2 teaspoon soy sauce , low sodium 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce , low sodium

1/4 teaspoon chili paste 1/4 teaspoon chili paste Instructions Mix all ingredients together well. Serve over tofu or as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, wontons, etc. Nutrition Facts Ridiculously Easy Sweet and Sour Sauce Amount Per Serving (1 tablespoon) Calories 38 % Daily Value* Sodium 33mg 1% Carbohydrates 10g 3% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Tried this recipe? Post a photo to Instagram and tag @susanffvk

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