Last night’s dinner was a win and required no utensils. After Brad decided that he likes tofu when he tried my nutty spicy tofu, I knew I wanted to make some more Brad-approved tofu.
On the menu: crispy buffalo tofu, crunchy sweet potato frips, celery, carrots, and slightly health-i-fied Hidden Valley ranch dip.
What are sweet potato frips? They’re a cross between a fry and a chip. I found out something interesting last night. If you chop up a sweet potato, toss it in olive oil and kosher salt, and bake it on 400 degrees for 35 minutes, you get your typical sweet potato fries. BUT, if you then put it on 170 degrees (my oven’s lowest warm setting) for 30 additional minutes, the oven will dehydrate your sweet potatoes giving them more crunch and making them more chip-like. Very interesting texture.
For my crispy buffalo tofu, I used the same baking method. But first, I pressed the tofu for about 20 minutes, then created this marinade.
- 2 1/2 Tbsp. Texas Pete (next time I’ll use 3 1/2 for extra spice)
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. tahini (ground sesame seed paste)
- 1 Tbsp. grape seed oil
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. Garlic Gold
- 1/2 tsp. paprika
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
Mix the marinade. Cube the tofu, then toss in the marinade. Use non-stick spray or oil on a medium-sized baking sheet. Place tofu evenly on the baking sheet so that no pieces are stacked on top of each other. Bake at 400 degrees F for 35 minutes, then on 170 degrees for 30 additional minutes.
So how did I stumble upon this method of making tofu and sweet potato fries extra crispy?
Pure genius?
No, actually, it was completely by accident. I decided to do No More Trouble Zones as my exercise of choice last night. I made the marinade and put the tofu and sweet potatoes in the oven before I started. When they were done cooking, I still had some exercising and showering to do, so I turned the oven to warm (170 degrees F). I do not like cold tofu so this seemed like the simplest solution.
What resulted was super crispy and delicious.
I went the quick and easy route with the ranch dressing, although I really need to some research on how to make ranch dressing from scratch. I health-i-fied it a bit by mixing a rounded Tbsp. of Greek yogurt with a splash of milk about a teaspoon of Hidden Valley ranch powdery mix. Now if I could perfect my own powdery mix, that would be something.
I definitely got in all 60 oz. of water today as part of the NoFizz 30 Day Challenge. I drank 64 oz. and maybe even 72 if you count my after-dinner treat.
Quick and Easy Hot Chocolate:
Heat one cup of almond milk in the microwave for 1 minute, 30 seconds. Add 2 tsp. of unsweetened cocoa and agave syrup to taste. I added about 1 tsp. Sprinkle in a a little cinnamon or 1/8 tsp. of vanilla or almond extract. Super easy and very chocolatey. 
Almond milk is just pureed almonds and water so I think this definitely counts.
I learned this morning that 10 of you have signed up for the NoFizz challenge. That is so wonderful! You’ll feel amazing when you kick the soda habit. I know who a few of you are, but would really love to know who else is participating. Comment here if you are or email me at foodiefresh(at)gmail(dot)com.
Oooooh, this tofu sounds so yummy! I have some in the fridge & think I’ll try out this recipe tonight
Loving the idea of the sweet potato “frips”, too 
Linds
Let me know how it turns out! Even my carnivorous husband really liked it.
kelly, this sounds amazing! i looooove buffalo wings, but this sounds way healthier and just as delicious.
i realized this morning, as i was microwaving my “perfect” egg with spinach, that your blog has has had a huge impact on the way i eat. for example, yesterday for lunch i had lentil soup with toasted ezekiel bread and tofutti not-cream-cheese. tonight i’m planning on roasting some sweet potatoes, onion, parsnip, and red potatoes a la kelly. this weekend i hope to make the famous nutty spicy tofu. the options are endless!
so what i’m saying is… thanks so much for having such an awesome blog, and keep up the good work!
Thank you so much Claire! It’s so exciting to hear that my food is inspiring good eating.
When I first started reading healthy living blogs, way before I ever started my own, they had a profound effect on my daily eating habits as well. That’s my favorite part about reading and writing in this blogging community. There’s so much to learn and share! 
Thank you so much for reading and your encouraging words!
I didn’t know about the No Fizz challenge, but I’ve been doing one of my own. I have a major diet coke problem and I’m trying to stop drinking it. So far, it’s been 2 days!
Awesome! I know how hard it is to drop something you’ve been doing forever. Soda is so hard to quit! Good luck!
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This tofu looks delicious. I am always looking for new ways to prepare it. What all is in Texas Pete or is it a brand?
Texas Pete is a brand of hot sauce. It looks like this http://www.texaspete.com/#page=texas-pete-original-hot-sauce
It might be a southern-thing. I’m never quite sure, but if you can’t find it at the g-store, I’m sure they have a good substitute or you could make one from scratch.