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    Hummusapien » Recipes » Lunch and Dinner » Garlic Tahini Tofu & Broccoli Rice

    ★★★★★ from 3 reviews

    Garlic Tahini Tofu & Broccoli Rice

    Published Apr 16, 2013 · Modified Jan 27, 2022 · by Alexis Joseph · 55 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    We're making rice! Out of broccoli.

    tahini1

    So what's the big hoopla with pressing tofu, anyway?

    Well, when you take tofu out of the package, it's like a big white blog in a watery mess. If you cooked it right away in that state, you would end up with that stereotypical mushy, funky looking 'fu that everyone loves to hate.  Everyone loves to hate on tofu and assume that it's one of those foods they don't eat, but pressing tofu gives it this wonderfully firm, almost chewy texture that's ready to take on any flavor.

    tahini2

    Introducing my favorite method to cook tofu:

    1) Remove the tofu from the package and drain the excess water.

    2) Place the tofu in a tofu press (I use the EZ tofu press) and let it drain on the counter over a baking sheet or dish (to catch the water) for a couple hours, tightening the knobs every so often.

    3) Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Cube the drained and pressed tofu, sprinkle with salt and garlic powder and bake for 30 minutes.

    pressing_tofu_step_3

    4) Eat it on salads, in buddha bowls, with quinoavocado salad, or with the most humbeliebable sauce and broccoli rice you've ever laid mouth on.

    Pulsing up broccoli in the food processor into little bitty bits of goodness and sautéing it in a pat of butter with garlic has to be the most genius thing that has crossed my mind in a good while.

    Is it broccoli? Is it rice? It is heaven? Yes, sir.

    tahini4

    Print
    clockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares iconheartheart iconheart solidheart solid icon

    Garlic Tahini Tofu & Broccoli Rice

    ★★★★★ 5 from 3 reviews
    • Author: Alexis
    • Prep Time: 10 mins
    • Cook Time: 45 mins
    • Total Time: 55 mins
    • Yield: 3 1x
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1-16oz block extra-firm tofu, drained/pressed and cubed
    • 1 head of broccoli, pulsed finely in food processor
    • 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • ¼ tsp salt

    For the sauce:

    • 3 tbsp tahini
    • 2 tbsp water
    • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
    • 2 tsp soy sauce
    • 1 tsp sesame oil
    • 1 large clove of garlic

    Instructions

    1. Drain and press tofu.
    2. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and spread out cubed tofu in an even layer. Spray once more, season with salt and bake for thirty minutes.
    3. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Pulse broccoli florets in the food processor until finely ground.
    4. Add broccoli to pan and sauté for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
    5. Add minced garlic and salt and sauté for five more minutes.
    6. Combine sauce ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
    7. To assemble, place a large scoop of broccoli on a plate, top with tofu and drizzle with sauce.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @hummusapien on Instagram. I love sharing what you make!

     

    About Alexis Joseph


    Oh HEY there! I'm Alexis Joseph, food writer, blogger, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), new mama, and co-founder of local restaurant group, Alchemy. I use my passion for cooking and wellness as fuel to help others ignite a more freeing and happy relationship with food. Learn more about Alexis!

    5 Secrets to Delish, Healthy Lunches

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Jillian says

      December 15, 2021 at 12:49 am

      So good and so easy!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        December 15, 2021 at 8:18 pm

        Oh man I haven't made this in forever! Thanks, Jillian!

        Reply
    2. Beth says

      February 17, 2017 at 11:48 am

      I subscribed to your news feed!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        February 17, 2017 at 4:05 pm

        Thanks a bunch! Enjoy 🙂

        Reply
    3. Beth says

      February 17, 2017 at 11:47 am

      I liked you Facebook page

      Reply
    4. Beth says

      February 17, 2017 at 11:47 am

      I started following you on Twitter!!

      Reply
    5. Julie says

      August 07, 2016 at 10:41 pm

      Just made this and it is really, really good. It's the tahini sauce that makes it so tasty. If you like a little spice like I do, shake a little crushed red pepper on before serving.

      I have an EZ Tofu Press that I bought on Amazon 3 or 4 months ago and I really love it. Easy to use and to clean.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Corrine says

      April 20, 2015 at 7:10 pm

      I follow you on Twitter.

      Reply
    7. Corrine says

      April 20, 2015 at 7:09 pm

      I follow you on Facebook.

      Reply
    8. Corrine says

      April 20, 2015 at 6:39 pm

      One of the easiest ways to use it is to make chocolate pudding. =)

      Reply
    9. Lydia Claire says

      April 20, 2015 at 6:30 pm

      I follow you on Twitter.

      Reply
    10. Lydia Claire says

      April 20, 2015 at 6:29 pm

      I follow you on Facebook.

      Reply
    11. Lydia Claire says

      April 20, 2015 at 6:28 pm

      I like it when it's nice and chewy (fried?) in a curry stir fry!

      Reply
    12. Jan says

      April 20, 2015 at 11:43 am

      I liked on FB!

      Reply
    13. Bethany Filipow says

      April 19, 2015 at 9:10 pm

      My favorite way to eat it to to roasted it in the oven with cumin, garlic, dried cilantro and chipotle until crispy. They I toss it in a hash of sweet potatoes, onions, sweet peppers, black bean, jalapeño and fresh cilantro. Then topped with some slices of avocado...um well more like a half of an avocado

      Reply
    14. Jeanne says

      April 19, 2015 at 5:52 pm

      Love pecan crusted tofu with a big heap of wok fried veggies!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        April 19, 2015 at 6:10 pm

        Mmmm pecans sound AMAZING there!

        Reply
    15. Emma says

      October 10, 2013 at 12:46 pm

      I like my tofu best marinated in spices, garlic, soy sauce, sriracha then grilled in skillet with olive oil and nutritional yeast.

      Reply
    16. abbi says

      April 19, 2013 at 3:05 am

      Just followed you on twitter!

      Reply
    17. abbi says

      April 19, 2013 at 3:03 am

      I use paper towels and plates to press my tofu overnight, then marinate it during the day in Trader Joe's Soyaki sauce, and finally I broil it for about 10 minutes on each side. Pretty good, but I'd love to ditch my ghetto method for a real press!

      Reply
    18. kristin says

      April 18, 2013 at 9:14 am

      and i just liked you on facebook! (didn't know you were on there!)

      Reply
    19. kristin says

      April 18, 2013 at 9:14 am

      also, i follow you on twitter already. 🙂

      Reply
    20. kristin says

      April 18, 2013 at 9:13 am

      i think i need this! love your blog!

      Reply
    21. Erica Gehret says

      April 17, 2013 at 11:38 pm

      So, I posted a comment before, but I think I did it under the wrong page LOL.
      Not trying to repeat myself, but I too go to Ohio State, and it's great to read a blog that doesn't leave my pockets empty! (and I can relate to the Northstar Buddha Bowl mmmm)
      I love tofu in my scrambled eggs and pudding.

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        April 17, 2013 at 11:43 pm

        Glad you like the Northstar Buddha Bowl as much as me 🙂 That peanut sauce....so fabulous!

        Reply
    22. Taylor says

      April 17, 2013 at 8:33 pm

      I'm so glad you posted this! I've been wanting to recreate the Garlic Tahini dressing from the Whole Foods hot bar ever since I had it last month and I'm pretty sure your recipe will do it! Can't wait to try it!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        April 17, 2013 at 11:42 pm

        Are you talking about the zesty tahini dressing? BEST THING EVER!!! I die. It's been sold out recently...such a bummer. They better restock ASAP!

        Reply
    23. Katy @ Katy's Kitchen says

      April 17, 2013 at 1:32 pm

      Is the contest US only? I've never heard of a tofu press before but it looks like it would make life so much easier. My favourite way to eat tofu is in pad thai 🙂

      Reply
    24. Allie Borisuk says

      April 17, 2013 at 12:23 am

      It's probably too late but I want to win!!! I want to eat like hummusapian!

      Reply
    25. Nikki Ro says

      April 17, 2013 at 12:03 am

      YUM! that looks unreal! I was just thinking that I need a new recipe for my tofu! PS I like hummusapien on facebook (and in life)

      Reply
    26. Morgan says

      April 16, 2013 at 11:41 pm

      Sautéed with spaghetti sauce and Rao's marinara. Yummm

      Reply
    27. Honey What's Cooking says

      April 16, 2013 at 11:33 pm

      This looks delicious. I love the sauce, and I love tofu. Broccoli rice is genius. Such a great recipe. Loving that tofu press. 🙂

      Reply
    28. Lindsey F says

      April 16, 2013 at 7:54 pm

      This is kind of embarrassing but I love tofu straight from the package. When I'm feeling motivated I love to make blackened tofu tacos, yum!

      Reply
    29. Sanna says

      April 16, 2013 at 6:37 pm

      I LOVE eating the crispy-type tofu you make for us in that Asian chopped salad. Mmmmmmmmmm!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    30. Ally Heydinger says

      April 16, 2013 at 3:23 pm

      I like Hummusapien on Facebook, on Twitter, on your blog, and in real life!!!!!!!! I WANT THE TOFU PRESS - I wanna make blackened tofu yummmmmm and this genius and delicious looking meal you've just described above

      Reply
    31. Aly @ FitandFrugirl says

      April 16, 2013 at 3:14 pm

      I also liked you on FB 🙂

      Reply
    32. Amber Fowler says

      April 16, 2013 at 3:13 pm

      I love making "tofujerky" by marinating it BBQ sauce, diced Serrano pepper and garlic
      Overnight, then de-hydrating for 6 hrs in the de-hydrator and if I feel like dipping I make a maple peanut sauce to go along with. I also love curbing it up, placing it the crockpot and laying chicken breasts on top with red cury paste, garlic, teriyaki sauce and rice wine vinegar for lettuce wraps 🙂

      Reply
    33. Aly @ FitandFrugirl says

      April 16, 2013 at 3:12 pm

      I recently had BBQ Tofu at Whole Foods and thought that I had died and gone to Heaven!

      So delicious!

      Reply
    34. Natalie S says

      April 16, 2013 at 3:10 pm

      I follow hummusapien on Twitter!

      Reply
    35. Natalie S says

      April 16, 2013 at 3:10 pm

      I like hummusapien on Facebook!

      Reply
    36. Natalie S says

      April 16, 2013 at 3:09 pm

      I love eating tofu in stir frys!

      Reply
    37. Melissa says

      April 16, 2013 at 2:56 pm

      ...and on Twitter!

      Reply
    38. Melissa says

      April 16, 2013 at 2:55 pm

      And I just followed you on facebook.

      Reply
    39. Melissa says

      April 16, 2013 at 2:55 pm

      I also already get your RSS feed 🙂

      Reply
    40. Melissa says

      April 16, 2013 at 2:54 pm

      I loooove baked tofu! I just made some plain baked tofu last night and mixed it in with a mushroom and pepper stir fry that I seasoned with tons of garlic and ginger and Bragg's liquid aminos. SO TASTY.

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        April 16, 2013 at 3:08 pm

        That stir-fry sounds so fabulous and simple, too! Those are always the best kind of meals.

        Reply
    41. Stephanie @ Legally Blinde says

      April 16, 2013 at 1:23 pm

      And I liked Hummusapien on FB!

      Reply
    42. Stephanie @ Legally Blinde says

      April 16, 2013 at 1:22 pm

      I just started following you on Twitter.

      Reply
    43. Stephanie @ Legally Blinde says

      April 16, 2013 at 1:21 pm

      I subscribe to your RSS feed 🙂

      Reply
    44. Stephanie @ Legally Blinde says

      April 16, 2013 at 1:21 pm

      I will admit that I've wasted too many paper towels pressing tofu, too. A tofu press would be great! I have to say, my current favorite way of eating tofu is in a Buddha bowl! I've actually got a block of tofu in the fridge right now that's destined to be eaten in a Buddha bowl 🙂 I am a HUGE fan of that peanut sauce - I don't know if there's any way a sauce could be better than that, but I want to try out this tahini sauce, too. Thanks for this nice giveaway!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        April 16, 2013 at 1:32 pm

        Yayyyy! You HAVE to make this sauce for the tofu you have in the fridge! You won't be disappointed 🙂

        Reply
    45. Micheline says

      April 16, 2013 at 1:14 pm

      I follow you on Twitter as well.

      Reply
    46. Micheline says

      April 16, 2013 at 1:12 pm

      I like it sliced in soups. There's something about the soft, creamy texture that is so comforting.

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        April 16, 2013 at 7:29 pm

        I've never thought about putting tofu in soup. Great idea!

        Reply
    47. JaLynn says

      April 16, 2013 at 12:51 pm

      I like to put some Bragg's Liquid Aminos on it.

      Reply

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    Well HELLO there! I'm Alexis Joseph, a registered dietitian, restaurateur and mama. Welcome to Hummusapien, a healthy food blog brimming with nourishing (always delish!) recipes plus inspiration to help you live your most joyful, balanced life. Grab a super hot cup o' joe and let's get cooking.

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