Tofu Bacon

Recipe adapted from:

http://www.v-lish.com/recipe/smoky-tofu-bacon/

1 package extra firm tofu, pressed and drained

4 tbsp maple syrup

4 tbsp nutritional yeast

4 tbsp Tamari gluten-free soy sauce

3-4 dashes liquid smoke (a little goes a long way!)

2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

4-6 tbsp water

Drain tofu and press for at least 30 minutes. Cut into thin rectangular strips.

Mix all other ingredients in a flat-bottomed container, and place the tofu strips in the marinade. Make sure all strips are coated and marinade for at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place tofu on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Use a basting brush to brush a thin layer of marinade over the top of the tofu.

Bake for 10 minutes, then flip, and use the basting brush to brush marinade over the top of the tofu again.

Continue to bake, flipping every 10 minutes or so (but don't add more marinade after the first two flips). They will likely need at least 30 minutes to become firm and chewy, but it will depend on how much moisture is in the tofu and how thinly it was cut. Thinner pieces of tofu may start to char on the edges.

Homemade Oatmeal Packets

Basic ingredients:

1/3 cup Oats
Pinch of salt
Sweetener of choice
3/4 cup water, milk, almond milk, etc.
Snack-sized ziploc bag + sharpie for labeling

The type of oats will determine the cooking time in the microwave. For quick oats, 2 minutes should be plenty. Follow the instructions on the container of oats that you buy.
Make sure the container you use can hold about twice the capacity needed for the ingredients - it will bubble up in the microwave and possibly overflow so watch it carefully.

FLAVOR VARIATIONS

Apple Cinnamon
1/3 cup oats
pinch of salt
1 Tbsp dark brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
chopped freeze dried apples


Peanut Butter Banana
1/3 cup oats
pinch of salt
1 Tbsp light brown sugar
1 Tbsp PB2 powdered peanut butter
~5 slices freeze dried banana


Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana
1/3 cup oats
pinch of salt
1 Tbsp dark brown sugar
1 Tbsp PB2 chocolate powdered peanut butter
1 tsp cocoa powder (optional - the chocolate PB2 is not very chocolate-y)
~5 slices freeze dried banana


White Chocolate Strawberry
1/3 cup oats
pinch of salt
1 Tbsp light brown sugar
~1 Tbsp white chocolate chips
small handful freeze dried strawberries


Chocolate Strawberry
1/3 cup oats
pinch of salt
1 Tbsp light brown sugar
2 tsp cocoa powder
small handful freeze dried strawberries


Other flavor ideas (not yet tried):
Strawberry Banana
Maple Walnut (using maple sugar)
Blueberry Muffin (freeze dried blueberries, brown sugar, cinnamon, nuts?)
Pineapple Coconut
Chocolate Raspberry
White Chocolate Raspberry
Strawberries (or other fruit) and Cream (with powdered creamer, or just pour some half and half on top after cooking)