Tofu Spinach Orzo
Marinated tofu with Mediterranean flavors and combined with wilted spinach, orzo and just right amount of olives to make a perfect vegan meal!
This quick and simple tofu spinach orzo is so easy to make within minutes on those busy weeknights. The tofu is marinated with Mediterranean flavors for few hours or over night. The tofu acts like flavored feta but its just a dairy free way of enjoying the similar taste and texture! I like to marinate it on weekend and make it by Tuesday! The day you make it, you saute the tofu. Then add lots of baby spinach to it along with cooked orzo and olives. It is so so simple to make and yet so satisfying! It is also very kids friendly. You can adjust the amount of red chili flake if you want to make it for kids!
This tofu spinach orzo could also be made as a side dish for your big Mediterranean feast! You can make it ahead of time. Or prepare everything ahead of time like marinating tofu, boiling orzo, cutting spinach etc. And when it is time, you just put things together in certain order with minimal cooking! You’ll have a quick Mediterranean side ready within minutes! It is for sure a crowd pleaser!
This dish a perfect combination of carb, protein and fiber!
Happy and Healthy Eating!
Spinach Tofu Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 cup Uncooked Orzo
- 3 cup Baby Spinach
- ¼ cup Mix Olives
- 1 tsp Himalayan Pink Salt
- 1 tsp Fresh Lemon Juice
Marinade for Tofu
- 16 oz Firm Tofu
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 tbsp Fresh Lime Juice
- 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder
- 1 tsp Himalayan Pink Salt
- 1 tsp Dry Basil
- 1 tbsp Dry Oregano
- 1 tsp Dry Parsley
- 1 tsp Thyme
- 1 tsp Red Chili Flakes
Instructions
Marinate Tofu for 4-8 hours
- Take tofu out of the box and wrap it in couple of paper towels. Place a Weight on the wrapped tofu. Your weight should be heavy enough to press down evenly across the top of the tofu, but not so heavy so as to cause the tofu block to crumble.
- Mix all ingredients listed under "marinade for tofu" except tofu. Add cubed tofu to the marinade and mix it very gently making sure to not break the tofu.
- Let tofu marinate for anywhere from 30 min to 6-8 hours. Even keeping it in the fridge to marinate over night is fine too if you want to prepare ahead of time! The longer it marinates, the batter it tastes!
Prepare Spinach Tofu Orze
- Heat up a flat pan and crisp up marinated tofu. You should not need any additional oil for this step as the tofu marinade had enough! Flip each cube frequently and very gently making sure you don't break it.
- While tofu is getting crispy, boil orzo as per box instruction.
- Once the tofu is crispy enough, add chopped baby spinach and saute it until the spinach is wilted.
- Once spinach is wilted, add cooked orzo and mix well.
- Add chopped mix olives, 1 tsp of Himalayan pink salt and 1 tbsp of fresh lemon juice. Mix it well. Taste it and add more salt and/or lemon juice if needed. Serve it hot or warm!
