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Extreme Vegan Makeover: Tofu Piccata Edition

One of the best jobs I ever had was when I worked in an Italian restaurant. I was in med school and I desperately needed money for food and expenses. My father had just passed away and I was over my head in loans. When not studying, I spent a lot of my free time hanging out at a Mexican restaurant in Manhattan. A lot of my free weekend time was spent at The Rocky Horror Picture Show but that’s a story for another time. Anyway, I became friends with the owner of the Mexican restaurant who kept me in free fajitas and sangria. But when I needed a steady part-time job that could work around my extremely busy and crazy med school schedule, it was a friend of his that came to my rescue.

This man, Lucho, who sometimes sat with his friends at the bar and hardly ever spoke, heard me talk about my problem. He turned to me and asked, “How much money do you need?” I looked quizzically at this older, handsome Spanish gentleman who had never spoken to me before and replied, “About $100 a week.” He handed me a business card and said, “Come by tomorrow.” And that was it. He was quiet again.

I showed up at the address on the card, Lucho’s Restaurant, and he was rushing out. He told me to sit and have dinner, then come back the next day. I had no idea what I would be doing but the next day, he put me to work. I did some bookkeeping, kept inventory, ran errands but the best part of the job was when I got to play hostess. Lucho wanted me to meet people and make connections. He did me a great favor.

I was always quiet, shy, and had low-self esteem. I grew up hearing that I was the “smart one” while my sister was the “pretty one” who got all the attention. But at the restaurant, I got the attention for being smart and for being personable. Plus, I am a very good listener and people love to talk. There were a lot of regulars at the bar, sort of like “Cheers.” I met a lot of interesting people – attorneys, publishers, actors, network executives, other restaurant owners – Lucho was always bragging about my studies like a proud father and he was also protective, making sure everyone treated me with respect.

It was a fun type of “double-life.” By day I was the geeky med student, dressed in my professional clothes and lab coat, and my conversations were limited to symptoms and treatments. But by night, I was dressed up and laughing with people, listening to the pianist play my favorite song, “Strangers in the Night,” and talking about things other than medicine. My social skills and my self-esteem blossomed and I made a lot of very good friends.

One day I went to work in tears. My formal dance was coming up at school, I couldn’t afford a gown. The guy I was dating at the time wouldn’t help me buy a dress (guess you can tell that relationship was just about over). The next day I showed up at the restaurant and the guys had all chipped in to buy me a dress, shoes and accessories. They sent me to a very expensive dress shop. I had never been in a store like that before and I was fitted for the most beautiful black, beaded dress. It was the sweetest, most generous thing anyone had ever done for me. They also celebrated my graduation with more pride than my own family did. I had to wrestle my degree out of Lucho’s hands because he wanted to keep it and show everyone.

They also played pranks on me. I may have been smart but I was young and not worldly. One day they pointed to an older gentleman sitting at the bar and told me, “You see that guy? That’s Mitch Miller.” I looked at the man and said, “No, it’s not.” They insisted and said I should go ask him. So I did. “Excuse me, Sir? Are you Mitch Miller?” The man looked at me and said, “No Dear, I’m not.” I went back to the guys and said he was not Mitch Miller. They told me he was and that he was lying to me. So I went back and asked him again. He again replied that he was not Mitch Miller. “Who are you then?” I asked. He told me his name, Skitch Henderson. “Should I know you?” I asked. He told me he was a musician. I asked him whether I would know any of his albums. He smiled and said he was a conductor. I was still clueless so he said he was on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. “No, that’s Doc Severinsen!” I demanded. Patiently, he said he was on before Doc Severinsen. “Ok,” I said and started to walk away but he asked me to sit with him while he had dinner. So I did and made another good friend, Skitch Henderson, founder and conductor of the New York Pops Orchestra.

Looking back, I hear how naive I sounded but Skitch said I was sweet and refreshing. I guess he liked talking to someone who didn’t know or didn’t care about his fame or infamy (honestly, I was more impressed that William Hurt was his son-in-law). To me, Skitch was just the nice man who bet me and my friend we couldn’t drive through Georgia without being stopped by a trooper (he lost that bet), who took me to dinner and casually remarked how he had dinner with Julie the night before and she would love me (he meant Julie Andrews!!) and who gave me free tickets to his perfomances at Carnegie Hall.

Luchos has long since closed and Skitch Henderson passed away in 2005 at the age of 87. Sometimes I pass by where the restaurant used to be and I smile remembering all the fun I had there and all the special people I had the pleasure to meet and spend time with. One of the things I remember is that Skitch ordered the same dish every single time he had dinner – veal piccata. I can only imagine what our conversations would have been like had I known then what I know now. Maybe I could have changed his mind about who he was eating, maybe not, but it would have been fun to try!

I have never eaten veal piccata but on our 2nd wedding anniversary, Tom and I went to Candle 79 and I had their signature seitan piccata. It was incredible! They even printed out “Happy Anniversary” on our receipt and gave us free dessert.

Now that I’m eating gluten-free, I created my own compassionate version of the Italian dish. Tofu cooked in a delicious sauce of Vegan butter, white wine, parsley, garlic, lemons and capers. I served it with a side of fingerling potatoes that were crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. This dish is so amazing, it will have people shouting, “Bravo!” and asking for an encore.

Tofu Piccata

Ingredients

1 block of extra-firm tofu, drained
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup chickpea flour
1 Tbsp. safflower oil
¼ cup dry Vegan white wine
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp. capers, drained
2 Tbsp. Vegan buttery spread
6 or 7 Fresh lemon slices
Fresh parsley for garnish, chopped

Directions

Cut the tofu into 8 slices. I do this by cutting the block in half width-wise, then cutting each half-block into 4 thin rectangular slices.

Put the chickpea flour on a plate. Season it with salt and pepper. Coat both sides of the tofu slices with the flour.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the tofu slices until they are browned and a bit crisp on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the tofu to a warm platter and set aside.

Add the wine to the pan (it is safer to take the pan off the heat when you do this) and then add the minced garlic. Cook until the garlic is slightly browned and the wine is mostly evaporated, about 2 minutes.

Add the broth, lemon juice and the capers to the pan. Return the tofu to the pan and let them cook in the liquid for about a minute on each side. This will allow them to soak in the flavor of the liquid. Then transfer the tofu back to the warm platter.

Add the Vegan buttery spread and the lemon slices to the pan to complete the sauce.

Piccata Sauce

When the spread melts, pour the sauce over the tofu. Garnish with the chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices.

Serve with any side dish you desire. I heated a pan with a mix of oil and Vegan butter spread. Then cooked some cut up fingerling potatoes with salt, pepper, and rosemary. I let them cook until they were brown and crispy on both sides. Decadent! Tofu Piccata and Fingerling Potatoes are a perfect duo!

Enjoy!

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17 Responses to Extreme Vegan Makeover: Tofu Piccata Edition

  1. chantal February 5, 2014 at 11:56 pm #

    I also usually just go straight to the recipes, but with your blog I am glued to your stories, they are so captivating, thank you for sharing your life stories and of course your amazing recipes. Don’t stop writing!!!

    • Rhea February 7, 2014 at 3:11 pm #

      Aw, thank you Chantel. I admit I do that too when I read some recipes and I often wonder if my stories are just blah, blah until you get to the recipe. Thank you for the kind words. xoxo

  2. Katie September 15, 2013 at 1:24 am #

    I just discovered your blog today, and I’ve been reading and bookmarking recipes for hours! I just love the stories that you share.
    I can’t wait to start making your delicious recipes!

    • Rhea September 15, 2013 at 1:38 am #

      Hi Katie, thank you I much! I’m glad you found me too! Enjoy the recipes and feel free to post pictures to the Facebook page.

  3. Rhea Parsons September 27, 2012 at 3:54 am #

    Hi Michelle, that must have been super crispy with corn starch. I try not to use that anymore and use arrowroot instead. I’m so glad to hear the non-tofu group liked it too!! Thanks.

  4. Michelle Renee Orth September 17, 2012 at 2:25 am #

    Super delicious! I used corn starch instead of chickpea flour and added panko breadcrumbs for the non-gluten free (all but one of us). I used Trader Joe’s sprouted organic extra firm tofu that I froze first. Even the non-tofu fan in the group like it. I will definitely be making it again. Thanks for sharing!

  5. sarah February 21, 2012 at 12:00 pm #

    Just made this for dinner (I’d been eyeing it since your valentine’s FB post) and it was delish! Also, made your jalapeño poppers and philly cheezesteaks for Super Bowl…loved both!

  6. Anonymous February 11, 2012 at 11:00 pm #

    This was such a great read. I typically loose interest and cut to the chase a view the recipe, but your story was so well written. I can’t wait to try this recipe.

  7. Rhea Parsons January 29, 2012 at 1:55 am #

    Vegan – that’s great! I have a friend who uses the sauce to braise kale in. Great ideas!!

  8. Vegan January 25, 2012 at 11:56 am #

    I made this for dinner tonight and it was *fantstic*! My husband even spooned the sauce over his bread, instead of slathering it with Earth Balance like he usually does.

  9. Anonymous December 9, 2011 at 4:51 am #

    Hi Rhea,

    I only recently starting eating vegan, because my hard-headed husband was introduced to the idea by you. It has made a huge difference in our lives, and that is all thanks to you.

    I just received a book that includes a recipe from you – it’s a beautiful gift, thank you! Seeing your recipe in print is inspiring, and a deserved reward for all you do and all you deal with.

    I hope you feel better, and I will do all I can to make sure you get the respect you deserve.

  10. Rhea Parsons June 18, 2011 at 6:59 am #

    Ha ha, that was supposed to say hubby, not bubby. Ha ha.

  11. Rhea Parsons June 18, 2011 at 6:58 am #

    Hi L,

    Thank you for the nice comments. I hope your bubby liked the chickpea “tuna” salad and that you both enjoy your dinner tonight. I think I’ll make the piccata too 🙂

    And thank you for the compliments on my writing. It’s really all I get to do anymore: cook and write…and write about cooking. It means a lot to me. <3

    Rhea

  12. Anonymous June 18, 2011 at 4:43 am #

    Hi Rhea,

    I’m looking forward to making this tonight. My husband doesn’t know that I also made the “tuna” salad for his lunch today. I’ll let you know what he thinks of both. 😉

    I hope you feel better. I am always moved by your writing, how personal and thoughtful it is. And the recipes are the best!

    L.

  13. Rhea Parsons May 21, 2011 at 2:16 pm #

    Purple Lady, thank you. Lucho was a very sweet man.

    Blessed Mama, I’m glad you liked the story. I know it wasn’t vegan focused but it was the only story I could link to the piccata 🙂

  14. blessedmama May 21, 2011 at 9:47 am #

    What a fantastic story! I just kept reading and reading and forgetting that I was at a vegan blog. Your dish looks amaaaaaing, by the way.

  15. purplelady May 17, 2011 at 1:03 pm #

    Rhea, I just love your stories and Lucho … so very sweet…..what a wonderful man. I must try this recipe, it sounds scrumptious!


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