BBQ Tofu

My grocery store has apparently stopped stocking tofu...but luckily Hungry Harvest started carrying it, so I can usually get it delivered every week! Which is great, 'cause I have new favorite ways to cook it:

I think I've converted to the camp of tearing tofu into pieces rather than cubing or slicing it. Tearing it into rough pieces creates more surface area for crispy goodness. And when you're stir-frying or baking it, the cubes will sometimes tear anyway. So you don't have to be as gentle with it. And while I'm not one of those people who needs a meat substitute to actually look like meat, if that's your thing, it does look more meat-like this way.

This recipe is roasted in the oven, and uses both a spice rub and store-bought BBQ sauce. The flavor is pretty intense! If you want to simplify things I think you could get away with just the BBQ sauce. Also you could cook this in a pan on the stove if you don't want to turn on the oven. Just saute the pieces on medium high until they get crispy, and then add the sauce.

- 1 pkg extra firm tofu
- spice rub: smoked paprika, chili powder & garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. I did not measure, but I'm gonna guess it's a couple teaspoons of spices.
- olive oil
- BBQ sauce - I also did not measure, but am guessing 1/4-1/3 cup.

1. Press the tofu under a weighed plate with paper towels for 30 minutes, or however long you have. Slice the block in half lengthwise, and then tear into rough pieces.

2. Combine the spices with a little olive oil in a large bowl, and toss the tofu pieces until they're well-coated. Preheat oven to 425, and prepare whatever else you're serving. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, and spread the tofu pieces out on it.

3. Bake for 15 minutes, stir and bake for 5-10 minutes more until getting browned & crispy.

4. Dump the tofu back into the bowl, add BBQ sauce and toss to coat. Return to the baking sheet and bake another 5 minutes or so. Then turn the broiler on for a couple minutes to make it extra crispy.