Tofu Cheesy Smoked Recipe
Sauce on carrot soft bun
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Ingredients
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Carrot Soft Buns
Smoked Tofu & Cheesy Layer
Sauce
Assembly & Garnish
Method
Carrot Soft Buns
- 1
Prepare carrot purée (if not ready)
Peel and chop 2 medium carrots. Simmer in lightly salted water until tender, about 10–12 minutes. Drain and purée in a blender or food processor until smooth. Measure 1 cup and let cool to warm (not hot).
- 2
Bloom yeast
Combine warm milk (approx 105–115°F / 40–46°C), sugar, and instant yeast in a small bowl. Stir and let sit 5–7 minutes until foamy. If it doesn't foam, yeast may be inactive—start again with fresh yeast.
- 3
Make dough
In a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, whisk together flour and salt. Add the carrot purée, yeast-milk mixture, softened butter, and egg. Mix on low until ingredients come together, then knead 6–8 minutes by machine (or 10–12 minutes by hand) until smooth, slightly tacky, and elastic. Add a tablespoon of flour or water if dough is too wet or dry.
- 4
- 5
Shape buns
Punch down dough gently, divide into 8 equal pieces (about 85–95 g each). Shape each into a smooth round and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet spaced 2 inches apart. Lightly brush with olive oil. Cover loosely and let rise again for 30–40 minutes until puffy.
- 6
Smoked Tofu & Cheesy Layer
- 7
Prepare tofu
Slice smoked tofu into 8 pieces about 1/2-inch thick (one slice per bun). Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- 8
Season and pan-fry tofu
In a bowl, mix olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss tofu slices gently to coat. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add a little oil if needed and fry tofu 2–3 minutes per side until browned and heated through. Remove and keep warm.
- 9
Make cheesy spread
In a small bowl, combine shredded cheese, vegan mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Mix until spreadable. If mixture is too thick, add 1–2 tsp water or more mayo to reach a spreadable consistency.
- 10
Melt cheese layer (optional)
For a melted-cheese effect, place fried tofu slices on a sheet tray, dollop or smear the cheesy spread on top, and broil 1–2 minutes until cheese just melts and bubbles. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Sauce
- 11
Make carrot-yogurt sauce
In a bowl combine yogurt, mayonnaise, grated carrot, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Whisk until smooth and taste; adjust seasoning. Refrigerate until assembly.
Assembly & Serving
- 12
- 13
- 14
Serve
Serve immediately while tofu is warm and buns are soft. Makes 8 sandwiches. Leftover sauce will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.