Description
Having lived in Texas, I got to know Chicken Fried Steak intimately.... specifically from a fast-food joint called Grandys. So in an effort to recreate that Texan comfort food I loved, I made this Chicken Fried Tofu. And oh man y'all - it IS good!
Ingredients
Scale
- 14 oz Tofu ((extra firm))
Batter
- 1 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
- 2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 1/2 cup Chickpea Flour
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Pepper
Breading
- 1 cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- 1 Tbs Paprika
- 2 tsp Garlic Salt
- 1 tsp Ground Ginger
- 1 tsp Dried Mustard
- 1 tsp Celery Seed
- 1/2 tsp White Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Ground Thyme
- 1/2 tsp Dried Basil
- 1/2 tsp Oregano
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper ((or to taste))
Cream Gravy
- 1/4 cup Flour
- 1 Tbs Nutritional Yeast
- 1 tsp Rubbed Sage
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper ((or to taste))
- 1 pinch Ground Thyme
- 3 cups Unsweetened Almond Milk ((or more to thin))
Instructions
Tofu
- Drain tofu and slice into 3 equally-thick steaks (about 1/2" thick)
- Wrap the Tofu Steaks in paper towels and place something heavy on top to press out as much moisture as possible.
- Press and drain for at least 20 minutes, changing paper towels as needed.
Breading
- Whisk all dry ingredients together in a bowl, then spread evenly in a flat, shallow pan for dredging. Set aside.
Gravy
- Whisk all dry gravy ingredients together and then pour into a large skillet. Toast dry ingredients for 1-2 minutes over med-low heat, then slowly stir in 3 cups of almond milk.
- Whisk to remove any lumps and stir often as it begins to thicken.
Once the gravy has thickened to a thick, gravy-like consistency, remove from heat and set aside. ( It will thicken even more - thin with more almond milk if necessary)
Batter
- Whisk all dry ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Also, whisk either lemon juice or vinegar into almond milk to make the 'buttermilk'. Pour into the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
- Pour batter into a flat, shallow pan.
The Dredging
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and place a wire cooling rack on top of a baking sheet.
- With one hand place a Tofu Steak into the batter. Brush batter evenly to make sure it's evenly coated. With the same wet hand, place the battered Tofu into the breading.
- Using your other (dry) hand, spoon or scoop the breadcrumbs evenly over the Tofu until evenly coated. Place Tofu Steak on pan.
- Bake at 400 degrees F until brown and crispy, about 30 minutes.