Baked Broccoli and Tofu with Peanut Sauce

Ingredients (serves 2-4)

• 1 400g block firm tofu, drained
• 1 tablespoon (9 g) arrowroot starch or brown rice flour
• Sea salt
• Fresh black pepper
• 2 heads broccoli, chopped into florets
• Handful of chopped almonds or peanuts or a good spoonful of sesame seeds pick to match the butter you use in the sauce
• 3 tablespoons stirred tahini, almond butter, or peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) tamari
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lime juice
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) maple or brown rice syrup
• 1 garlic clove minced or 1/2 tsp ground dried ginger
• ½ to 1 teaspoon peeled and finely grated ginger (I like more ginger so use 1 teaspoon)
• Vinegar-based hot sauce , optional and to taste
• Water , if needed to thin
• Soba noodles to serve (optional)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Wrap the tofu block in a clean tea towel and place something heavy on top to squeeze out moisture.
3. Then cut it into 2-cm cubes and place in a medium bowl. Sprinkle the arrowroot starch or brown rice flour, season to taste with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Distribute the tofu on the baking pan and bake for 10 minutes.
4. Meanwhile wash and cut the broccoli into florets.
5. After the tofu has been in the oven for 10 minutes, take it out, push it to one side of the pan, redistributing into one layer, and spread the broccoli florets out on the other side. Place the pan back in the oven and continue to bake for another 20 minutes or until the tofu is firm and golden and the broccoli is just beginning to brown.
6. Cook noodles if using.
7. While the tofu and broccoli are in the oven make the sauce. Place the tahini or nut butter of choice in a small bowl and whisk together with the tamari, lime juice, maple syrup, garlic, ginger, and hot sauce if using. Mix until creamy. If the sauce is more stiff than pourable, add water, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) at a time, and mix until smooth and creamy.
8. When cooked, top noodles with the baked broccoli & tofu and drizzle sauce over the top and garnish with chopped nuts or seeds and enjoy!