GRILLED JERK TOFU AND PLANTAINS WITH MANGO SALSA

Grilled Jerk Tofu and Plantains With Mango Salsa image

I was inspired to create this vegan grilled jerk tofu recipe after visits to Jamaica where I found myself inhaling the aromas of jerk chicken. Try it!

Provided by Chrissy Tracey

Categories Tofu Onion Green Onion/Scallion Garlic Chile Pepper Thyme Ginger Soy Sauce Vinegar Lime Juice Pepper Nutmeg Cinnamon Lime Mango Bell Pepper Cilantro Honey Plantain Dinner Lunch Vegan Vegetarian Summer Grill/Barbecue Tree Nut Free Juneteenth Labor Day Father's Day Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Jamaica

Yield 4 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 36

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Ingredients

Tofu
2 14-oz. blocks extra-firm tofu, drained
2 small red onions, coarsely chopped
10 scallions, cut into 2" pieces
12 garlic cloves
4-6 Scotch bonnet or habanero chiles, seeds removed, or 1-2 tsp. Scotch bonnet chile powder
12 sprigs thyme, leaves picked
2 1" pieces ginger, peeled
16-20 allspice berries or 2 Tbsp. ground allspice
⅔ cup soy sauce
½ cup (packed) dark brown sugar
½ cup distilled white vinegar
¼ cup fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. browning sauce (preferably Grace; optional)
1 Tbsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt
½ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ cup avocado oil or vegetable oil
Salsa
Juice of 1 lime
1 Scotch bonnet chile or jalapeño, seeds removed
2 cups coarsely chopped ripe mango
⅔ cup coarsely chopped red bell pepper
½ cup coarsely chopped red onion
2 Tbsp. coarsely chopped cilantro
2 tsp. agave nectar or honey (optional)
½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt, plus more
Plantains and assembly
¼ cup avocado oil or vegetable oil, plus more for grill
⅔ cup (packed) dark brown sugar
¼ cup distilled white vinegar
1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
4 very ripe (almost black) plantains, halved lengthwise
Thinly sliced scallions and lime wedges (for serving)

Steps:

Tofu
Wrap tofu in 2 layers of paper towel, place on a rimmed baking sheet, and weigh down with something heavy (large cans or a small cast-iron skillet work well). Let sit 30 minutes. (Alternatively, press tofu in a tofu press 15-30 minutes.)
Meanwhile, process red onions, scallions, garlic, chiles, thyme, ginger, allspice, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, lime juice, browning sauce (if using), black pepper, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a food processor or blender to a coarse purée. With motor running, stream in oil and process to a fine purée. Transfer jerk sauce to a bowl.
Unwrap tofu and cut each block crosswise into 6 slices. Pour 1 cup jerk sauce into a baking dish, then add tofu slices and turn to coat. Set remaining jerk sauce aside for brushing and serving. Cover and chill tofu at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day. Do ahead: Jerk sauce can be made 3 weeks ahead. Cover and chill.
Salsa
Pulse lime juice, chile, mango, bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, agave (if using),and ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt in a food processor just until coarsely chopped, 5-10 pulses. Taste salsa and season with more salt if needed. Transfer to a bowl; cover and chill until ready to serve.
Plantains and assembly
Prepare a grill for medium-high heat; lightly oil grate. Arrange tofu on grate, cover, and grill, brushing with reserved jerk sauce as you turn tofu, until lightly browned and grill marks appear, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and brush with additional sauce, if desired.
Meanwhile, mix brown sugar, vinegar, salt, pepper, and remaining ¼ cup oil in a small bowl. Brush cut sides of plantains generously with mixture.
Arrange plantains, cut side down, on grate, cover, and grill, brushing all over with brown sugar mixture as you turn, until deep golden and grill marks appear, about 7 minutes per side. Transfer plantains to plates with tofu.
Top tofu and plantains with scallions and serve with salsa and lime wedges.