VEGAN CHALLENGE DAY 5: VEGAN FRIED CHICKEN

We are in the home stretch! I want to say this week has been super hard, but it really hasn't. I am pleasantly surprised at how many vegan options are out there, readily available (albeit the variety is not there), and how many awesome, "meaty" and filling recipes are floating around. It seems Vegans really have figured this thing ALL out!

Today I decided to be industrious and try my hand at vegan fried chicken. Hubby brought home some panko breadcrumbs that are just itching to be used up and I feel like something that tastes like it should be terrible for me.

I made these with extra firm tofu, and after skimming through a few blogs, I decided to freeze the tofu and let it thaw before using it. In fact, I tried one persons suggestion and did this twice, removing as much water as I could between each cycle.

The results were, surprising. The chunks broke apart like chunks of chicken, soon, my confidence was up! I seasoned the dickens out of the tofu with the usual culprits, salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. I knew I needed an "egg wash" but after scouring my local grocery store, could not find ANY product to try. I decided on a whim to mix a few Chia seeds with water as a substituted (since it's recommended when substituting eggs in vegan baked dishes) I added a bit of hot sauce and then dredged them through some seasoned Panko bread crumbs. I fried them in some 370 degree vegetable oil for 2-3 minutes.

The results were a super crunchy outside and most inside. It does not have the same firmness of chicken, but with all of the seasonings, and the crunch of the breading, it makes a convincing argument for a chicken free life. I served it alongside some jasmine rice and a few veggies. Another successful Vegan Meal under my belt. I might be getting the hang of this!

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Vegan Friend Chicken Bites

Ingredients

1 Block Extra Firm Tofu

Vegan egg substitute - for dredging (I used milled Chia seeds with a little water and it worked wonderfully)

1 Cup Panko Bread Crumbs

1 tsp Poultry Seasoning

1 tsp Salt/Pepper

1 tsp Paprika

1 tsp garlic powder

Method

1. Freeze Tofu and squeeze as much liquid out as possible. (Freeze a second time for optimal chicken texture)

2. Break apart into chunks and season to your desired tastes.

3. Mix 1 tbsp Milled Chia Seeds and 5 Tbsp of water. Set aside

4. Prepare your Breadcrumbs by adding all seasonings

5. Heat vegetable oil in skillet until it reaches 370 degrees.

6. Dip the Tofu chunks in the Chia seed mixture, and then dredge in the bread crumbs.

7. Fry in oil for 2-3 minutes or until all pieces are golden brown. Serve Hot