Vegan Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala

by Sarah
Vegan Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala | Vegan Vegitarian Recipes | Susty Meals | Sarah Irving

Not only are we massive fans of burgers, we are fans of a proper Indian curry so this Vegan Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala is right up our street.  Plus, it contains another of our absolute favourite ingredients; tofu ‘pillows’ which are deep-fried tofu pieces that you can buy from most Chinese supermarkets – they’re kind of like pillows, hence our name of tofu pillows! They are really called Tofu Puffs or Deep Fried Bean Curd.

This recipe does take quite  lot of ingredients and a little bit of time, but I can promise you that it is totally worth it!  The flavours are deep and layered and you get a real hit of every spice added.  To grind and blend the spices, you can use a pestle and mortar (which will take a long time), a coffee grinder (perfect but will stain) or a spice grinder.  I use my coffee grinder as I’m waiting for Christmas to get my wet and dry spice grinder (that is unless anyone fancies treating me to one now… anyone?!)

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Considering how complicated it looks, this meal does come together pretty quickly. It takes a bit of work getting your spices together, but once you have that done you’re on a roll.  We had this on Saturday night as a bit of a fake-away and it was easy to cook (with a glass of wine in hand) and tasted perfect! (If I might say so myself!)

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Ingredients:

For the Tandoori Tofu

Tofu Puffs / Deep Fried Bean Curd

1 tbsp coriander seeds

1 tsp fennel seeds

2 inches of cinnamon bark or a cinnamon stick

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp chilli flakes

1 star anise

6 cardamom pods

1 tsp turmeric

2 tbsp tomato puree

1 small tin of coconut cream

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For the Masala

1 tbsp olive oil

2 inches of fresh ginger finely grated

4 garlic cloves, finely grated

1 tsp chilli flakes

1 2 tbsp tomato puree

400 ml tin chopped tomatoes

1 tbsp ground cumin

2 tsp ground fennel seeds

6 cardamom pods, ground

2 tbsp ground coriander

2 tbsp garam masala

2 tbsp ground almonds

400 ml coconut milk

2 tbsp golden caster sugar

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Method:

Grind the tandoori spices and add to a hot frying pan along with the tomato puree

Stir over the heat until they become nicely golden and aromatic

Combine the cooked spices with the coconut cream in a large bowl

Mix through the tofu pillows, making sure to coat them all over with the marinating mixture

Leave to build flavour while you heat the oven and get started on the rest of the ingredients

Line a baking sheet and heat the oven to 200 C

For the masala sauce, heat the olive oil in a medium-sized pan over a medium heat

Add the spices, ginger and garlic and stir over the heat for a few moments, then add the tomato puree

Cook, stirring all the time, for about 4 minutes then add the tinned tomatoes, sugar and coconut milk

Bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer,

Whisk at this point to make sure that the mixture is well blended and any spice lumps broken up (they are killer if you get a big lump!!)

Cook on low for 25 minutes, stirring regularly to prevent it sticking

While your masala is cooking, pop your tofu puffs onto kebab skewers (If you’re using wood, soak for a minute or so before using) making sure to coat with the remaining marinade

Pop the kebabs into the oven and cook for 10 minutes, turning once or twice to make sure they colour evenly

When both are ready spoon the Tikka Masala into small dishes and serve alongside the kebabs, some rice, sprinkled coriander and some Paratha

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Even as I type this up, I can smell the delicious Indian spice aromas that were wafting through the kitchen while I cooked!  Yum!

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This masala is of a medium heat (for us, anyway!) so it you prefer it hotter, you can add some fresh chillies to the paste or another teaspoon of chilli flakes.  I personally think that this is the right balance of heat between the tandoori tikka and the masala as there is enough for you to feel the warmth, but not too much that it masks the other flavours – which if you have ever eaten curry out can easily happen!

Also, confession time! I didn’t make the Parathas!  I bought them from Tesco as I was having an easier night and fancies just bunging them in the pan rather than getting down and dirty making them.  I will in the future and add the recipe, of course! No judging! 😉

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If you love curries too, then your really need to get my Vegan Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala into your meal plan .  With it being vegan, you can cater for all of your friends too – I know that your meat-eating pals will enjoy it too, once they get over the tofu bit!

Please don’t let the spices put you off making this – you can often get them pre-ground in some stores, so it is worth looking if you don’t have something at home to help.  When you start making curries at home with fresh spices, you won’t want to go back to bought ones!

I have so many ideas for using the tofu puss in different ways – they will come soon, once perfected! – that you need to get down to your local Chinese supermarket for a browse.  I couldn’t imagine living too far away from Chinese stores these days as so many of my ingredients are from them as they do bulk spices which makes them a whole lot cheaper too!

I’m going back to imagining some amazing tofu pillow dinners!

Have a fab week!

Sarah sig

Do you love a good curry?  Which is your favourite? How hot can you go?

Let me know in the comments below?

 

 

Vegan Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala
Recipe Type: Dinner
Cuisine: Indian
Author: Sarah Irving | Susty meals
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 2
Spices and chillies mixed with coconut and tofu make for the most delicious and authentically balanced Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala. It is totally vegan too!
Ingredients
  • For the Tandoori Tofu
  • Tofu Puffs / Deep Fried Bean Curd
  • 1 tbsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds
  • 2 inches of cinnamon bark or a cinnamon stick
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp chilli flakes
  • 1 star anise
  • 6 cardamom pods
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 2 tbsp tomato puree
  • 1 small tin of coconut cream
  • For the Masala
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 inches of fresh ginger finely grated
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely grated
  • 1 tsp chilli flakes
  • 1 2 tbsp tomato puree
  • 400 ml tin chopped tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp ground fennel seeds
  • 6 cardamom pods, ground
  • 2 tbsp ground coriander
  • 2 tbsp garam masala
  • 2 tbsp ground almonds
  • 400 ml coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp golden caster sugar
Instructions
  1. Grind the tandoori spices and add to a hot frying pan along with the tomato puree
  2. Stir over the heat until they become nicely golden and aromatic
  3. Combine the cooked spices with the coconut cream in a large bowl
  4. Mix through the tofu pillows, making sure to coat them all over with the marinading mixture
  5. Leave to build flavour while you heat the oven and get started on the rest of the ingredients
  6. Line a baking sheet and heat the oven to 200 C
  7. For the masala sauce, heat the olive oil in a medium sized pan over a medium heat
  8. Add the spices, ginger and garlic and stir over the heat for a few moments, then add the tomato puree
  9. Cook, stirring all the time, for about 4 minutes then add the tinned tomatoes, sugar and coconut milk
  10. Bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer,
  11. Whisk at this point to make sure that the mixture is well blended and any spice lumps broken up (they are killer if you get a big lump!!)
  12. Cook on low for 25 minutes, stirring regularly to prevent it sticking
  13. While your masala is cooking, pop your tofu puffs onto kebab skewers (If you’re using wood, soak for a minute or so before using) making sure to coat with the remaining marinade
  14. Pop the kebabs into the oven and cook for 10 minutes, turning once or twice to make sure they colour evenly
  15. When both are ready spoon the Tikka Masala into small dishes and serve alongside the kebabs, some
  16. rice
  17. , sprinkled corriander and some Paratha

Vegan Tandoori Tofu Tikka Masala | Vegan Vegitarian Recipes | Susty Meals | Sarah Irving

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38 comments

LaaLaa 24th October 2016 - 11:54 am

I have to bookmark this, I’m trying to find more vegan meals so I’m so happy to see this today. It looks delicious and stomach warming x

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Sarah 26th October 2016 - 11:06 am

Excellent, I’m pleased it came at the right time for you! I have a vegan section in the menu that you can check out for more inspiration! You’ll have to let me know how you get on 🙂 x

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joanna 24th October 2016 - 2:59 pm

I love curry I normally go for a chicken tikka Masala its good to see a recipe that gives an alternative for vegans.

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Sarah 26th October 2016 - 11:07 am

Tikka Masala seems to be the favourite curry it seems – even though it is technically not an Indian dish! 🙂 Great to meet another curry fan too

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Ana De- Jesus 24th October 2016 - 3:40 pm

Oh my god please make me some immediately this looks incredible. I would love nothing more than this delicious masala!

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Sarah 26th October 2016 - 11:08 am

Haha! Thanks Ana! I could be busy with this recipe, it seems 🙂

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Claire 24th October 2016 - 3:55 pm

That masala sounds absolutely scrumptious – what a gorgeous meal.

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Sarah 26th October 2016 - 11:09 am

Thanks, Claire! It really is super tasty!

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Sarah Bailey 24th October 2016 - 4:13 pm

Ohh you don’t fancy cooking some of this for me do you? It sounds absolutely delicious! x

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Sarah 26th October 2016 - 11:10 am

Haha! Thanks, Sarah! Maybe I need to open a cafe that sells it 😀 x

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Rachel 24th October 2016 - 9:12 pm

I am sitting here reading your post thinking I now want a curry, not the porridge I was about to go and make x

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Sarah 26th October 2016 - 11:11 am

Oh no, sorry Rachel! I hope that your porridge was delicious and you can look forward to having a curry soon! x

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Anosa 24th October 2016 - 9:37 pm

This is one masala with a difference that’s for sure. I can not believe it’s vegan tandoori tofu, it looks absolutely delicious

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Sarah 26th October 2016 - 11:12 am

Thanks, Anosa. I’m really pleased how it looks as well 😀

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Rhian Westbury 24th October 2016 - 9:49 pm

I’m not a huge fan of curries but this really shows that you can make anything vegan friendly x

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Sarah 26th October 2016 - 11:14 am

What do you enjoy instead of curries, Rhian? It really is amazing how much can be made into a vegan dish without losing any flavour too. x

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Mellissa Williams 24th October 2016 - 10:02 pm

I bet this is an excellent way to impart flavour on Tofu. Love your use of great Indian spices

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Sarah 26th October 2016 - 11:18 am

Oh gosh, it really is, Melissa! The marinade gets right into the tofu so it tastes AMAZING! I think my kitchen has the largest collection of Indian spices ever – we LOVE them!

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Liz Mays 25th October 2016 - 12:52 am

This is so impressive! I would totally love to make this a surprise date night meal. We both love those spices!

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Sarah 26th October 2016 - 11:19 am

Yay! I love that you want to do it for a surprise date too, Liz! Let me know how you get on and what your other half thinks too 🙂 Enjoy your date! x

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Jemma 25th October 2016 - 6:50 am

This looks delicious! I do love a good curry.

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Sarah 26th October 2016 - 11:20 am

Glad to meet another curry fan, Jemma! Which is your favourite?

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stephanie 25th October 2016 - 11:03 am

Tikka Masala is my all time favourite curry so I’ll have to make this soon – thanks for sharing x

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Sarah 26th October 2016 - 11:21 am

Excellent, Stephanie! I hope you enjoy your tikka masala! x

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Dannii 25th October 2016 - 11:08 am

We made a masala the other day too, as its our favourite curry. I never thought to make it with tofu though – such a good idea!

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Sarah 26th October 2016 - 11:22 am

seems like it is masala time of year, Dannii! Let me know how you get on if you try a tofu version 🙂

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Hannah 25th October 2016 - 8:16 pm

I need to try more curries, I’ve only had it once! Might try this one next x

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fashion-mommy 26th October 2016 - 10:57 am

I love chicken tikka masala, but am not a huge fan of tofu, I always find it chewy and a little bland.

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Sarah 26th October 2016 - 11:24 am

I can promise you that the tofu in this recipe is not bland! 😀 Which kinds of tofu have you tried? THe silken is a lot smoother, the puffs care lighter as they have been deep fried and you can make the firm tofu less chewy by cooking them for a shorter time 🙂

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Fashion and Style Police 26th October 2016 - 4:06 pm

Bookmarking this to try later. I love spicy food.

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Harriet from Toby & Roo 26th October 2016 - 4:33 pm

This looks absolutely amazing – no way could you doubt that this is a must for any vegan! H x

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Melissa major 26th October 2016 - 6:52 pm

This looks so amazing! Will have to make this soon. I need to try tofu more often

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Jacqui Paterson (@JaxFortyNorth) 26th October 2016 - 8:23 pm

I’m not a huge fan of Indian food, but have to admit this looks pretty amazing. I’d definitely add extra chilli flakes though – I like spicy dishes that literally blow my head off!

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MELANIE EDJOURIAN 27th October 2016 - 10:56 am

Wow this looks like a great recipe with a great deal of flavour, bet my hubby would be quite pleased if we had it for dinner one evening x

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kira 28th October 2016 - 9:44 pm

I love the tandoori flavour so I’m sure I’d love these, would love to give them a go 🙂

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Lubka Henry 30th October 2016 - 5:36 pm

This looks like a great family dinner. Thanks for sharing and the amazing photos too!

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Aks 15th January 2018 - 11:14 pm

Question: for the masala.. is it 12 tbs tomato puree or 2 tbs?

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Sarah 23rd February 2018 - 1:32 pm

Hi Aks,

I have just noticed your question, sorry! Yes, it is 12 tbsp, which is around a tube of puree. I put it that way because people have said that they use jars or tins, so it was for ease.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sarah

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