‘Bacon bits’ tofu salad/dinner topper

I love the crispy bacon bits you find at a salad bar. It’s the salty, smoky taste. This is my quick and easy version, perfect as a salad topper or whenever you want extra protein in your dinner. They add instant texture and a savoury hit that makes any plate even more delicious.

Serves 1-2 (depending on how hungry or willing to share you are)

5 minutes prep

5-10 minutes cooking

Ingredients

Oil of choice (I like to use sesame), you need an oil which works at a high temperature.

2 tsp Corn flour

Half a block of grated tofu 

A glug of Soy sauce

1 tsp Onion granules

1 tsp Maple syrup

1 tbsp Nutritional yeast

2-3 drops of Liquid smoke*

* Since being introduced to liquid smoke, I don’t want to live without it. It adds a lovely smokey flavour to food. It isn’t necessarily something you will have to hand and you might not want to splurge on a bottle just to try out this recipe, so use something like worcester sauce in it’s place.

NB: Worcester sauce typically contains anchovy extract so choose a vegan or vegetarian version if you don’t eat fish. 

Method

1. If the tofu needs pressing, do this first before starting to cook

2. Grate the tofu into a bowl, add the corn flour, and mix until evenly coated

3. Heat the oil in a frying pan to a medium-high temperature

4. Add the tofu to the frying pan and fry until most of the liquid is absorbed

5. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until the tofu is evenly coated

6. Fry until most of the liquid is absorbed and the tofu looks a little crispy - approximately 5 minutes

7. Add to the top of your meal or eat it as a snack 

Cooking notes

If the tofu starts to burn, turn the heat down

The end results should be sticky, crispy, sweet and smokey - divine! 

Meat version: Crispy bacon

It’s probably no surprise that this no-bacon topper works well if you’re making something with crispy bacon. This is a simple and quick way to make a no bacon option, so whether you’re cooking for plant-based, wanting to cut back on meat, or simply not a fan of bacon this recipe has you all covered.

Ingredients

Bacon of choice

Oil (only if your pan needs it)

Method

1. Add your bacon to a non-stick pan and cook on a low-medium heat for 7-10  minutes, turn the bacon and cook on the other side until it has crisped to your liking.

Cooking them together

Option 1: Use one pan and do one first and then the other following the above steps

Option 2: Use two pans and cook at the same time

1. Prep the tofu (vegan version steps 1-3)

   a. If the tofu needs pressing, do this first before starting to cook

   b. Grate the tofu into a bowl, add the corn flour, and mix until evenly coated

   c. Heat the oil in a frying pan to a medium-high temperature

2. Heat the bacon pan and add the bacon once it’s at temperature

3. Add the tofu and follow the remaining steps

   a. Add the tofu to the frying pan and fry until most of the liquid is absorbed

   b. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until the tofu is evenly coated

   c. Fry until most of the liquid is absorbed and the tofu looks a little crispy - approximately 5 minutes

4. Turn the bacon over and cook until it’s to your liking

5. Top your meal with the bacon and tofu and enjoy

Serving ideas:

Bacon salad

BLT sandwich

Topper for a risotto