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Tofu Bacon Panini

This tofu panini is pressed with the unlikely addition of bacon. Served with a spinach sundried tomato pesto it’s absolutely delicious even if it’s not vegetarian.

Just saying that feels wrong. Very, very wrong. I kept looking over my shoulder while making this thinking the tofu police were about to pop out of the corner of my house for breaking the tofu code of conduct or something. “Thou shall not mix tofu with bacon.” Ok, that’s in the form of a commandment, but whatever. It felt wrong and dangerous. I kinda liked it.

Tofu Bacon Panini

I’m sure this combination makes vegetarians everywhere squirm, but let me tell the rest of you omnivore, bacon loving peeps out there something. This is a combination to die for. Seriously.

Tofu Panini

If paninis make normal sandwiches better and bacon makes everything better, this combo is like winning the friggin lottery.

Tofu Panini with bacon

Balsamic vinaigrette marinated tofu & peppers and a spinach sundried tomato pesto might also have a little something to do with it.

Pressed tofu panini

We had the rest of the tofu for dinner and all I did was mock fry it in olive oil. It was a sad, sad comparison to this lunch. Lucky for Ulysses, he didn’t know any better.

Tofu Bacon Panini

If this is wrong, I’m so over being right. I’ll take my chances with the tofu police.

Tofu Bacon Panini

This tofu panini is pressed with the unlikely addition of bacon. Served with a spinach sundried tomato pesto it's absolutely delicious even if it's not vegetarian.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings 1 serving

Ingredients
  

  • 2 slices wheat bread
  • 2 slices bacon
  • 3 thin slices of extra firm tofu drained and pressed
  • 1/4 orange pepper sliced
  • 1 cup packed baby spinach
  • 3 sundried tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon hummus
  • 3 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
  • 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • salt & pepper

Instructions
 

  • Combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil & balsamic vinegar in a shallow bowl. Season tofu slices with salt & pepper and set in marinade. Let sit for at least 10 minutes, flipping once.
  • While tofu marinates, combine spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, hummus, remaining olive oil (1 1/2 tablespoons) and salt & pepper to taste in a food processor. Pulse until a pesto consistency forms.
  • Transfer tofu to a hot panini press and grill for about 7-10 minutes, flipping once.
  • While tofu cooks, heat a small pan over medium high heat and cook bacon until crispy. Set aside.
  • Remove bacon grease from pan, saute pepper slices with the balsamic vinaigrette marinade from tofu for about 5 minutes until peppers are just charred.
  • Removed tofu from grill and assemble sandwich. Spread pesto on both pieces of bread, place tofu on one slice, then peppers, then bacon. Top with other slice of bread and press in the panini maker for about 5-7 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1SERVING | Calories: 1701kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 115g | Fat: 120g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 41g | Monounsaturated Fat: 58g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 440mg | Potassium: 595mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 3817IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 1540mg | Iron: 17mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.

Cuisine American
Course Main Dishes
Keyword tofu bacon panini
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Gina Matsoukas is the writer, founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients as much as possible. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

Recipe Rating




Broccoli pasta casserole

Tuesday 14th of January 2014

[…] Tofu bacon panini <—the ultimate hypocritical sandwich […]

Five Food Friday « Live and Love to Eat

Friday 6th of January 2012

[...] of the tofu was used last night on an egg/tofu/guac sandwich, inspired a bit by this sandwich and this one, both of which were probably much more delicious, but this only took 10 minutes after a tough gym [...]

Kat

Monday 12th of December 2011

Ok = tofu AND bacon?!

Nicole @ Sugar Coated Sisters

Monday 12th of December 2011

This.Looks.Amazing. Such a good idea and it could easily be veg with veggie bacon. I want a panini press!

Kate @ Naturastride

Saturday 10th of December 2011

That looks ridiculously good! Love the idea of marinating tofu in balsamic (maybe I'm late to the tofu-party) - plus, of course, adding the bacon is a bonus. You know what, I bet adding some sliced avocado would bring this to the next level, too! Thanks for the idea!

Running to the Kitchen

Saturday 10th of December 2011

I thought about using the avocado sitting on my counter when I was making it but then got too lazy. I bet it would be great!