Is odd to veganise a dish that is heavily based on fish..but I see it as reinventing tradition, not recreating! ‘Caldeirada’ is quite easy to make, well, it takes a little bit of preparation but is really not hard at all. I’m definitely cooking this to my family and see their faces drop on how good it tastes 🙂
Time: 1h 15min approx.
Type: main
Difficulty: 1.5 pans
Serves: 4 people
What you need
Food:
1 block of firm tofu (about 300/400g)
4 tbsp cornflour + 2 tsp garlic powder +2 tsp paprika
2 tbsp soya sauce
2 beef tomatoes, sliced
600g white potatoes, peeled and finely sliced
1 big white onion ( or 2 medium), sliced
1 red pepper cut into thin strips
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 bay leaves
200ml white wine
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp tomato puree
Warm water
Salt to taste
2 tbsp paprika
2 nori sheets, shredded
Utensils:
Big pan with lead
A couple of small bowls to prepare tofu
Knife
Chopping board
Air fryer (or frying pan with a little olive oil)
Directions:
Cut tofu into small chunks;
In two different bowls put soya sauce in one, and corn flour, garlic and paprika e the other (mixing well)- dip tofu pieces in the soya sauce first and then into the cornflour and spices mix, so all the surfaces are covered;
Fry tofu either using air fryer (about 25min) or frying pan, until golden- set aside;
Prepare all veggies and set aside;
In a large pan, place half of the onions, garlic, bay leaves and a little water- let it cook over a low heat for a few minutes;
Add pepper slices and half of the tomato slices and let it cook for a further 3 min- don’t mix!! The secret of this recipe is that everything cooks in layers;
Sprinkle sugar on top, as well as wine, and let it simmer for a few minutes until the wine evaporates and it starts to boil;
Add tomato puree, tofu chunks and shredded nori;
Place sliced potatoes, the rest of the tomatoes and onions on top and add warm water, enough to cover the vegetables, and sprinkle with salt- let it cook in low heat, with lead on for about 20 minutes (check with a fork if potatoes are cooked first before removing from heat);
You can serve immediately or let it set for 10 minutes or so. Is also lovely the day after, as all the flavour had more time to blend.
Plant Based Portuguese 