Savory Marinated & Baked Tofu for Vegan No-Chicken Noodle Soup

This recipe is a delicious and satisfying vegan alternative to traditional chicken noodle soup. The tofu is marinated in a savory blend of spices and baked until crispy, making it a perfect stand-in for chicken. The soup is packed with vegetables and hearty noodles, making it a comforting and healthy meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 block extra-firm tofu, pressed and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped carrots
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 1/4 cup chopped mushrooms
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup egg noodles

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the tofu cubes to the bowl and toss to coat.
4. Spread the tofu cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
6. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
7. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and mushrooms and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
8. Add the thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper and cook for 1 minute more.
9. Add the vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
10. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
11. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth.
12. Add the cornstarch mixture to the soup and stir until thickened.
13. Add the noodles and cook according to package directions.
14. Add the baked tofu cubes to the soup and simmer for 5 minutes, or until heated through.
15. Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips:

• You can use any type of tofu you like, but extra-firm tofu holds up best in this recipe.
• If you don’t have vegetable broth, you can use water or chicken broth.
• You can add other vegetables to the soup, such as broccoli, cauliflower, or spinach.
• This soup is even better the next day!

This vegan no-chicken noodle soup is a delicious and satisfying meal that is perfect for a cold day. It is also a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables. If you are looking for a healthy and flavorful soup, this is the perfect recipe for you!