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A fried slab of tofu marinated in pickle juice and dredged in dijon mustard then crusted with panko and fried for the ultimate weeknight "chicken" sandwich

Planetarian Fried “Chicken” Sandwich

Prep time: 5 mins
Cook time: 10 mins
Total time: 4 hrs 15 mins

Description

If you can’t find super-firm tofu, extra-firm tofu offers a decent substitute. Press as much water as you can from the block, then halve it lengthwise and crosswise to make 4 cutlets.
All-Purpose Spice Rub is a Planetarian Life Essential—good to keep in your pantry. You can make it quickly by mixing 6 tablespoons each: brown sugar and smoked paprika, 3 tablespoons each: ground black pepper and garlic powder, and 1 1/2 teaspoons fine salt. Use the rest for recipes like Barbecued Cauliflower or Roasted Riced Cauliflower that you use to make Cauliflower Bolognese.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound super-firm tofu, patted dry and cut into four 1/2-inch thick slabs
  • ¾ cup dill pickle juice, plus dill pickle slices for the sandwich
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as peanut, grapeseed or vegetable
  • 2 tablespoons All-Purpose Spice Rub (see above)
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard thinned with scant 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup panko
  • Sandwich buns, vegan mayonnaise, hot sauce, lettuce leaves for serving

Instructions

  • Marinate tofu slices in pickle juice and 2 tablespoons of the oil for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  • When ready to fry, heat oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over low heat while preparing cutlets. Remove tofu from pickle juice, pat dry, and place on a small, rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle both sides of each slab with spice rub and, working one at a time, dredge in flour, dip in thinned Dijon, and dredge in panko, shaking the flour and panko pans as you dredge to help coat them.
  • Increase oil to medium-high. When a pinch of panko dropped into the hot oil sizzles immediately, you are ready to fry. Add cutlets to hot oil and cook, turning only once, until golden brown on each side, about 6 minutes total.
  • Spread each bun, toasted or not, with mayonnaise and top with lettuce, cutlet, pickle slices, and a few shakes of hot sauce, if desired. Serve.