Description
Marry Me Tofu is a flavorful, vegetarian twist on the viral Marry Me Chicken recipe. This dish features tofu marinated in a tangy balsamic glaze, pan-fried to golden perfection, and served in a rich, creamy sauce loaded with sun-dried tomatoes and herbs. It’s quick to prepare and perfect served over noodles or enjoyed on its own as a hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Tofu Marinade
- 14 oz tofu (14-16oz block)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt + pepper to taste
Coating
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Cooking and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated (plus more for serving)
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon thyme
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon fresh herbs (chopped, such as basil or parsley)
Instructions
- Prepare the Tofu: Cut the tofu into three even long pieces. Optionally, trim the top right and bottom left corners of each piece to create a rounded, chicken breast-like shape and make diagonal shallow cuts about ¼ inch deep on both sides for texture and better sauce absorption.
- Make the Marinade: Whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil, balsamic vinegar, water, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Place the tofu pieces in this mixture and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight to absorb all the flavors.
- Coat the Tofu: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Remove tofu from the marinade and coat each piece thoroughly in all-purpose flour to form a thin layer covering the tofu completely.
- Pan-Fry the Tofu: Place the floured tofu pieces in a single layer in the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side until they become golden brown and crispy around the edges. Be vigilant to avoid burning. Remove tofu and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, add butter and sauté minced garlic for 2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in vegetable broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from frying. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in heavy cream and grated parmesan. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Season and Combine: Add chili flakes, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Return the tofu to the skillet, submerging it in the sauce. Simmer together for several minutes so the tofu absorbs the flavors and the sauce thickens further.
- Serve: Plate the tofu with sauce spooned over and garnish with fresh chopped herbs. This dish pairs wonderfully with noodles or crusty bread for dipping into the cream sauce.
Notes
- This recipe is a vegetarian adaptation of the viral Marry Me Chicken, offering a delicious meat-free alternative.
- Marinating tofu overnight intensifies the flavor, but 30 minutes is sufficient if short on time.
- Cutting tofu with diagonal slashes helps the sauce penetrate better, enhancing taste and texture.
- You can serve this with pasta, rice, or bread to make a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 798 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 1051 mg
- Fat: 66 g
- Saturated Fat: 29 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 34 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 124 mg
