About the Recipe
If you are trying to eat less meat but still crave it, this recipe will help ease the suffering bit by giving you the impression that you are eating something “like” meat. You can use it anywhere where you would use ground beef that has been browned.
Feel free to omit or add whatever seasonings you like. This recipe is as much about a method as it is about the flavors. The method is what produces the consistency.
To maintain its consistency, this simulated ground beef should be added to dishes just before serving. If left to soak in a heated sauce, it will lose its firm meat-like texture.
Ingredients
450-500 grams of firm tofu
3 tablespoons of sunflower oil
1.5 tablespoons of beef bouillon concentrate
1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
¼ teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of BBQ seasoning
¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon of MSG (Accent) (Optional)
You can use off-the-shelf BBQ seasoning or, if you have time, make your own.
Preparation
The cooking time for this recipe is based on firm tofu. If you are using “extra-firm” tofu, the required cooking time will be reduced to approximately 2 hours.
Crumble the tofu in a medium sized mixing bowl.
In a separate bowl, combine:
3 tablespoons of sunflower oil
1 ½ tablespoons of beef bouillon concentrate
1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon of garlic powder
¼ teaspoon of MSG (optional)
Mix the seasoning ingredients well.
Pour the contents of the seasoning mix into the bowl with the granulated tofu.
Mix until the seasonings and tofu are well blended.
Preheat the oven to 200˚ F (93˚ C).
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Spread the seasoned tofu evenly over the parchment paper.
Roast for 90 minutes then, using a spatula, flip the tofu granules over to brown the opposite side.
From this point on, repeat this process every 20 minutes or so until the simulated ground beef is done.
Roast for 90 minutes longer.
If you are making a double batch, you may have to roast it up to 30 minutes longer (3.5 hours total).
If you want to use this recipe for nachos or burritos, add the following spices to the list of existing spices when you season the tofu:
2 teaspoons of sage
1 tablespoon of chili powder
