Tofu Tawa Masala / Easy Tofu Sabzi - Easy Tofu Recipes

I always look forward to try Tofu Recipes and this Tofu Tawa Masala is one of my recent try after Chatakedar Tofu. I simply tweaked the Paneer Tawa Masala recipe and made this Tofu Tawa Masala. Paneer Tawa Masala is a popular Punjabi sabzi, that is easy to make spicy curry with creamy texture. I recreated the famous North Indian Masala with Tofu and also prepared it as a complete Vegan dish. Instead of cream here, I used ground Cashew nut paste which resulted in rich and creamy taste and texture. And also compared to paneer dish this is low fat and protein rich. My family love Tofu and I started using it regularly in our diet and very rarely buy Paneer only for kids. Now off to the recipe...

Preparation Time : 10 minutes

Resting Time : 15-20 minutes

Cooking Time : 10 minutes + 15 minutes

Serves    3-4

Ingredients
For Tofu Marination

1. Tofu      7 oz (Firm or Extra Firm Tofu) pressed & cut into cubes
2. Chilli Powder     1/2 tsp
3. Turmeric Powder    a pinch
4. Chaat Masala    1/4 tsp
5. Kasoori Methi/Dry Methi leaves     1 tsp(crushed)
6. Oil   1/2 tbsp + 2 tsp to toast tofu

For Masala

1. Onion   1 large (finely chopped)
2. Tomato Puree     1 cup (or blend 3 medium tomatoes)
3. Chilli Powder     1 tsp
4. Coriander Powder     1 tsp
5. Garam Masala Powder    1/2 tsp
6. Salt      to taste
7. Cashew nuts, whole    5 no.s (soaked in warm water for 20 minutes & blend it a fine smooth paste) Cilantro      1 tbsp (finely chopped)

To Temper

1. Oil   1 tbsp
2. Cumin seeds     1/4 tsp
3. Ajwain/carom seeds/omam    1/4 tsp  

Method

• Press Tofu for 30 minutes to remove moisture(like you do for Paneer to set, place tofu in a plate and place another flat bottomed plate n keep some heavy weight material on it, to remove the extra water content) and then cut in to cubes(for pic click here)
• Take a bowl, add cut Tofu cubes add all other ingredients for Marination and mix well and set it aside for 15-20 minutes.

• Soak Cashew nuts in warm water and start chopping onions & blend tomatoes and keep ready.
• After 15-20 minutes marination, heat a tawa smear it with few drops of oil and arrange the marinated tofu cubes and cook in medium heat for 4-5 minutes.
• Then turn other side using a skewer and cook for another 4-5 minutes.

• Once done remove from tawa and place it in a plate and keep aside.
• Now Heat oil in a pan, add cumin and ajwain seeds and allow to splutter and then add onions and saute until onions turns golden brown.

• After that add chilli and coriander powder and stir fry for a minute.
• Then add tomato puree or paste and cook till oil separates and moisture dries.

• And then add tawa roasted tofu cubes, garam masala powder and 1/2 cup water and allow to boil.
• Meanwhile grind the soaked cashew nuts with 2-3 tbsp water to a smooth paste and add it to the boiling masala.

• Stir well and let it simmer for another 2 minutes.
• Lastly add some finely chopped cilantro and switch off the stove.
• That's it...Delicious & Vegan Tofu Tawa Masala ready. Serve hot with phulkas, chapathi, Naan or any desired breads or pulao. We had it with Moongdal Palak Paratha.

Notes:
For Marination, instead of oil you can also use 1-2 tbsp Thick Curd / Yogurt.
The same recipe can be done with Paneer also.
I wanted to make it as a vegan dish so i added ground cashew paste but you can also add 1/4- 1/2 cup milk or heavy cream.
Or instead cashew nuts you can also use soaked & peeled almonds paste.

This is off to Priya's Vegan Thursday Event.