Tofu Jerky

[Guest guest]

This weekend my husband is going on a living history weekend re-enacting the

Oregon Trail days. He is loaded up with hardtack and beef jerky. Hardtack I

don't recommend to anyone, but here's the vegetarian version of the jerky.

Sorry, I generally don't measure when making this; use as much or as little of

the herbs as you wish. Ginger, however, is the key in the marinade, so don't

skimp there. It doesn't matter if it's peeled, as I usually rub off all the

chopped ingredients before baking.

 

Thai chilies are also called bird chilies.

 

This is also great with sticky (or sushi) rice. Bite the jerky, grab a handful

of rice, dip it in the sauce, and eat all together.

 

 

TOFU JERKY

 

1 lb. extra firm tofu

soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, or tamari

beer, dark preferred, or red wine

chopped garlic

chopped ginger

chopped lemon grass ( either chop _very_ fine, or rather large chop for

retrieval later)

 

Slice the tofu into 1/2 square strips--if the slices are too thick it

will take too long to dry, if too thin, they ll get too crunchy. Place on plate

lined with

towels, cover with more towels, top with another plate, and put some cans

of beans or soup on top to press out water. Let stand about 1 hour.

 

After the water is drained, we add more liquid; go figure! Place the tofu

in a bowl and cover with marinade ingredients. Let marinade at least 2

hours, and up to 6 hours, mixing occasionally. Remove tofu, and clean off

the chopped herbs if desired. Some people won t want to bite into lemon

grass especially.

 

Place in single layer on lightly greased cookie sheet. (You could choose

Reynolds

Wrap Release and forget the greasing; I love that stuff) Bake at 200 for

about 5 hours, or use dehydrator according to directions. I do mine in

the oven, and I've even cooked it over a period of a few days, an hour or

so before work, and hour or so when I get home, etc. It s very forgiving.

Cool and eat.

 

 

DIPPING SAUCE

 

10 tomatoes, plum or Roma tomatoes this time of year, quartered

5 garlic cloves, sliced

1 small Thai chili, seeded and chopped (use gloves for these babies)

cilantro (1/4 - 1/2 bunch, depending on how much you like it)

veg Worcestershire sauce, or liquid aminos (real recipe calls for fish sauce)

 

Place tomatoes, garlic, and chili in roasting pan or foil in the oven and

bake at 350 until tomatoes release their juices. Allow to cool, and peel

tomatoes if desired. Coarsely chop the mixture in blender, not losing any

of the liquid! Add Worcestershire and cilantro, along with salt and

pepper to taste.