Deliciously spiced without being “spicy”, this is my absolute favorite tofu scramble version yet. Our almost two-year-old ate four plates of it this morning murmuring “good”, “very good”, and “tasty” appreciatively all the while!
The injera, which is a spongy flatbread made from the teff grain (usually – some Ethiopian restaurants use wheat flour too) is an optional ingredient but elevates this dish to insane awesomeness. I recommend going out for Ethiopian food Saturday night and saving some of your injera for Sunday brunch! P.S. If you do save your injera, don’t refrigerate it overnight. Just keep it wrapped up on the counter. Refrigerating dries it out.
Ethiopian Tofu Scramble
Serves 2-3 people
- one package firm or extra firm tofu
- one large broccoli floret, chopped finely
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 avocado, chopped
- torn pieces of injera, optional
Spice blend (adapted from Isa Chandra Moskowitz’s version):
- 1/2 tsp curry powder
- 1/2 tsp Hungarian paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- pinch cinnamon
- pinch ground cardamom
- dash allspice
- dash ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
- On medium-high heat saute the garlic and broccoli for a minute or two. Add tofu. Cook until browned – you need to really get under the tofu with a metal spatula to keep it from sticking to the pan and ensure that all the golden crusty goodness remains on the tofu rather than burnt on the bottom of the pan. I usually cook it about 5 – 8 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine your spice blend in a small dish and mix with about 2 Tbsp of water. Add to scramble and mix in. Add torn up pieces of injera if using. Cook for another minute or two, until water evaporates.
- Remove from heat and mix in avocado. Serve!
Ethiopian food has been our absolute favorite meal out for three years or so; there’s just no other regional cuisine that allows us to feast on beans and vegetables, which is what we eat every day, and feel like we’re indulging in something decadent.
Thanks to our friend Yoseph of Nile Richmond for suggesting this dish!
