Saag Tofu (Tofu and Spinach) (Recipe #109)

I love Indian inspired food and Indian spices. The first time I used curry I knew I was in love immediately. I didn’t think a spice could get better than curry until I tried garam masala. Garam masala is by far my favorite spice in the kitchen. I do not use it a lot. I do not even use it regularly, but when I do, I know it is going to be an amazing dish. I was very excited to try this Indian classic with a vegan twist. Saag Tofu is taking a spin on saag paneer, which is a homemade cheese in a spinach sauce. This recipe tried to replicate the spinach sauce and replace the homemade cheese with tofu.

This recipe called for cubed tofu that was drained, patted dry, and seasoned with salt and pepper. For the base of the spinach sauce, the recipe called for spinach and mustard greens. Unfortunately, I could not find mustard greens, so I used collard greens instead. I started by microwaving the greens until they were wilted. I put some in a blender and chopped the reminder. In hot oil, I put cumin (the recipe called for cumin seeds, but I did not have any), paprika, coriander, and cinnamon. I sauteed a diced onion in the spices. Once the onion was soft, I added jalapeno, garlic, and ginger. I followed that with diced tomatoes. Once the mixture was sauteed well in the pot, I put half of it in the blender with the greens, almond milk, cashews, and sugar. I blended that together and then added it back to the pot with lemon juice and additional almond milk. I seasoned it with salt and pepper. I added chopped cashews to the top of each dish before it was served.

I liked this dish and the idea of a spinach sauce, but I wish the sauce was creamier. I would have blended all of the greens and even added additional almond milk to have a smooth sauce for the tofu to nestle in. I didn’t mind the pieces of spinach, but I felt the dish would have been better as a smooth, cream sauce. This wasn’t a bad dish, but it wasn’t my favorite. I liked it, but I do not think I would make it again.

Taste: 6/10

Level of difficulty: 1/5

Notes for next time: I don’t think I would make this again.