Blackened spice and everything nice. These BLACKENED TOFU TACOS brought all the heat with a creamy vegan RED PEPPER CREMA to tame the spice and a bit of PICKLED WATERMELON RADISHES to brighten up the flavors. Delicate kale sprouts, a touch of fresh lime juice and a drizzle of salsa verde add a trio of green perfection. After all, tacos are really an excuse for all the toppings, right? If you’re into spice, check out the dEATs for these tacos caliente below.

I love a little veggie surprise like these watermelon radishes that are all dull and coy on the outside, but ravishing on the inside. I mean, how gorg is that pink?! Lately, I’ve been super into quick pickling because 1.) pickles are delish and 2) who doesn’t want to get things done quicker? Here are a couple of the benefits of pickling:

BENEFITS OF PICKLED FOODS

1.) PRESERVATIVE: Pickling is a great way to preserve fresh produce, especially when you have excess from thriving summer gardens.

2.) FLAVOR FLAV: If the flavor of radishes is too spicy for you, pickling can add a degree of sweetness that mellows the flavor. Similarly, pickling can also add some heat if you incorporate spices.

3.) HEALTH BENEFITS: Some athletes will eat pickles and even drink the pickle juice to replenish lost electrolytes after a tough workout. Check out this article from CBS News on the phenomenon.

Beyond the spark from the pickled radishes, this recipe gets a kick from the blackened seasoning coating these cubes of crispy tofu. Studies have shown that spice foods have loads of benefits too.

BENEFITS OF SPICY FOODS

1.) Weight Loss: Studies have shown that capsaicin, the main compound in chillies, has a thermogenic effect and may cause the body to burn extra calories for 20 minutes after consuming spicy foods. Bring on the spice!

2.) Pain Relief: Capsaicin is also widely used as an ingredient in over the counter ointments for pain and arthritus relief.

3.) Hearth Health: a study in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry found that capsaicin lowers blood cholesterol and could reduce blockages that cause heart attacks.

Bring on the spice!

Blackened Tofu Tacos with Vegan Red Pepper Crema and Pickled Radishes
Serves: 3-4

Ingredients:
Blackened Tofu
-1 block of extra firm tofu
-1/3 C low-sodium soy sauce
-1 1/2 T smoked paprika
-1 tsp black pepper
-1 tsp cayenne pepper
-1 T onion powder
-1 T garlic powder
-1 T thyme
-1 tsp dried oregano
-1 tsp dried basil
Pickled Radishes
-8-10 small radishes or 1 large watermelon radish, thinly sliced
-1/2 C vinegar of choice
-1/2 C water
-1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
-1 T granulated sugar
Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Crema
– 1 red bell pepper, roasted (I bought a jar from Trader Joe’s)
– 1 C raw cashews soaked overnight in the fridge
– 1/2 C of water
– 1 clove of garlic (or 1 tsp of jarred, minced garlic)
– 1 tsp smoked paprika
– 1 tsp nutritional yeast
– 1/2 tsp salt
– freshly ground black pepper, to taste
– optional: 1 scoop ofVital Proteins Collagen Peptides
Extras:
-Corn torillas
-Kale Sprouts
-1 lime, quartered
-1 jar of salsa verde (like Frontera Key Lime Avocado Salsa)

Directions:
Step 1: Prep the quick pickled radishes by whisking together the vinegar, water, salt and sugar. Pour into a jar and add the thinly sliced radishes. Refrigerate at least 15 minutes.
Step 2: Make the blackened tofu by first extracting the excess moisture from the tofu by placing the block on a paper towel-lined plate. Place an additional couple of cheese of paper towel on top and press. Option to place a heavy pan on top for up to 30 minutes to fully extract the moisture (and get crispier tofu). Once you’ve extracted the moisture, slice the tofu into 1 inch cubes and bathe in a bowl of soy sauce. While the tofu marinades, mix together all the spices in a shallow bowl. Dredge each of the tofu cubes in the seasoning. Heat a skillet on medium with 1-2 T of oil. Add the cubes to the pan and fry until golden brown on each side (about 5 minutes per side, using a tongs to rotate). Set aside to cool.
Step 3: While the tofu cooks, prep the vegan red pepper crema. Place all ingredients in a food processor. Mix until a creamy texture. Add additional water depending on desired thickness.
Step 4: Assemble the tacos by smothering the red pepper crema on the corn tortillas. Top with the blackened tofu cubs, slices of pickled radishes and optional kale sprouts as well as salsa verde. Enjoy!

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