PECAN CRUSTED TOFU

I got this recipe from my friend Heather and it was very good. Not your typical spicy cajun food, but, along with her other recipe, Cajun Green Rice (see recipe,) this meal was comfort food to me. At first, I thought it was going to be too bland for my liking, but the more I ate it, the more I enjoyed it. I think I added some salt after the tofu cakes were cooked-but not much. I didn't want to take away from the sweetness of the pecans.

The recipe was given to me without measurements, so in this recipe they will be approximates.

1 package of firm Tofu
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
pecans (approx 1/4 cup ground down)
paprika
soy milk

Mix the flour, cornmeal, ground pecans, and paprika together.
Cut the tofu into 1/2" slices (remove all water).
Dip tofu into soy milk, then coat with flour mixture.
Bake on well-oiled baking dish. Adding more oil, if
necessary.
Bake at 400 degrees until brown, flipping once or twice
until desired browness achieved.

XAYMACA TOFU

The Tainos, or Arawak Indians, are the original inhabitants of Jamaica. Xaymaca is the Taino word from which Jamaica is derived.

The recipe is actually called Barbeque Tofu, but it is nothing like a barbeque sauce. It's much better: thinner, but more flavorful. It was so good I was practically eating it with a spoon. It's easy too.

Serves 4

1 lb firm tofu
1 tbs vegetable oil
1/4 cup chopped onions
2 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
1/4 tsp hot pepper, seeded and chopped
(I used little 3" red peppers from Sedanos which
freeze beautifully. All hot peppers do)
1/4 tsp thyme*
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbs tomato concentrate (paste)**
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup pineapple juice***
1 tbs lime juice (or lemon)
(I think lime is better for this recipe)
1/2 tsp powdered ginger or 1/2" gingerroot,
crushed or grated
1 tbs prepared mustard (I used French's yellow)
4 pimento grains (I used a tad of allspice which is what
pimento grains are)

Preheat oven to 350

Slice tofu into 1/4" slices, lightly fry, and set aside

Saute the onions, garlic, and hot pepper in the remaining oil,
and blend with all the other ingredients until smooth.

Arrange the tofu slices in a baking dish, pour the sauce over
the tofu, and bake for about 15 minutes.

Recipe from Delicious Jamaica! Vegetarian Cuisine by
Yvonne McCalla Sobers

*dried thyme
**Purchase tomato paste in a tube. No waste.
***I used canned Pineapple Slices in pineapple juice,
used the juice for recipe and enjoyed the pineapple.