Looking for a delicious breakfast or brunch idea? Check out this Indian curried tofu scramble with spinach!
Breakfast or lunch? Let’s make it brunch! Best meal ever! Growing up in Delhi, my mom went all out for Sunday brunch. The love around the table was plenty with family and friends, and the brunch dishes she crafted were all made from scratch. Entertaining is in my blood and hosting brunch is a tradition that is gladly kept. Over time there have been lots of new recipes added to the Indian brunch spread, but one that will always show up is my curried tofu scramble.
What Is Tofu Scramble?
If you have never heard about an Indian tofu scramble you might be a bit confused. The photo looks like eggs, but in fact ‘eggs’ are nowhere to be found on the ingredient list. This curried tofu scramble is high in protein, cholesterol-free, nutritious, and vegan, and you can pretty much add any of your favorite vegetables to it.
It is made with a beautiful blend of aromatic spices, and tofu, and the bright color comes from…you guessed it, turmeric. Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, but this tofu scramble is lit. Yes, I said lit!
What Is Indian or Curried Tofu Scramble?
The Hindi word bhurji means scrambled in English, and this tofu bhurji or Indian tofu scramble is an Indian-style scramble that is always on my Sunday brunch table. Using firm tofu and a mixture of turmeric, cumin, and other spices, this curried tofu scramble with spinach has the right balance of flavors that are sure to quench your taste buds.
What Makes Curried Tofu Scramble Good for Breakfast or Brunch?
Curried tofu scramble is a staple for your next brunch with family and friends! It is such a flexible dish, if you know that the guests you are serving like things spicy, you can add some heat with chilis or red pepper flakes.
If you know ahead of time someone has an allergy you can tweak the recipe as needed. When preparing a beautiful brunch spread, it is important to have the right balance of protein (for this recipe 8 ounces has nearly 20 grams of protein), vegetables, sweet dishes, and appearance.
This tofu scramble with spinach is high in protein, packed with nutritious vegetables, and it looks pretty too.
What Are the Health Benefits from the Spices in Curry Powder?
The key to making a curried tofu scramble is good curry powder. Curry powder has become more popular over the years and can be found easily at your local grocery store or you can easily make it at home.
Here is my simple recipe for the most flavorful and amazing curry powder.
Curry powder is more than just a tasty addition found in many Asian and Indian dishes. It can containcoriander, cumin, ground turmeric, yellow mustard seeds, fennel, cardamom seeds, cloves, ginger, and ground nutmeg.
The combination of these spices is known to pack a punch with amazing health benefits. Here are a few that may surprise you.
- Fights Inflammation – Other herbs and spices in curry powder may aid in fighting inflammation in the body but one of the most important ingredients to pay attention to is turmeric. It contains a pigment called curcumin that has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Contains Antioxidants – Consuming antioxidant-rich foods can decrease the effects of oxidative stress and lower the risk of diseases like heart disease and cancer. The combination of spices and herbs in curry powder has lots of antioxidants including curcumin, quercetin, pinene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
- Anti-Cancer – As far as the health benefits of curry powder go, this is a showstopper. Some of the common spices in curry powder, like turmeric, have anti-cancer properties.
- Protects Against Alzheimer’s – Recent studies suggest that curcumin may also help with the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Heart Healthy – The spice mix in curry powder might improve both blood flow and blood vessel function, which helps decrease the risk of heart disease.
What’s not to love about curry? Start incorporating this amazing ingredient into your dishes today.
Why Should I Make This Indian Tofu Scramble? Is It Easy to Make?
If you are not yet convinced, this Indian tofu scramble is by far one of the easiest dishes to make and is always on the menu when hosting brunch. Served alongside my Eggless Quiche, it is one of the first dishes to finish.
Before my girlfriends come over, the first thing they ask is I am making tofu scramble with spinach. In under 30 minutes, with a few pantry spices, and any vegetables you have in the refrigerator, this no-fuss brunch dish will impress even the kids at the table.
Here Are the Ingredients You Need to Make A Curried Tofu Scramble
- Onions – cooked until golden, helps balance all the flavors in this dish and will add an ‘all day cooking’ aroma to your kitchen.
- Bell Peppers – Use any combination of colors you have in your refrigerator, they add the right amount of crunch, freshness, and color to this dish.
- Mushrooms – With a flavor profile all on their own, mushrooms provide the perfect umami flavor and hearty addition.
- Tofu – Using firm tofu is best as it crumbles easily, marries well with the vegetables without falling apart, and stands up well to the robust spice flavors.
- Kale or Spinach – Both of these leafy greens absorb perfectly any spices you add to them. They hold up well in this recipe and can keep their green color profile while lending their earthy flavor.
- Cilantro – Rounding this dish off, can’t get enough cilantro, it is fresh, pungent, and has an aromatic scent, having cilantro is a must to finish off this dish.
- Spices – Curry powder, garlic powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric, garam masala, and Himalayan sea salt. The combination of these simple spices adds SO much flavor to this dish.
How To Make Curried Tofu Scramble with Spinach
These are the steps you need to take to assemble a curried tofu scramble.
STEP 1: SAUTE THE VEGETABLES
In a large skillet over medium heat, add vegetable broth or olive oil and sauté the onions for about 5 minutes until they are wilted and translucent. Add the sliced mushrooms and diced red peppers to the onions and cook for about 5-7 minutes.
STEP 2: PREPARE THE TOFU
Push the cooked veggies to one side of the skillet and add the block of pressed and drained tofu on the other side. Break up the tofu into chunks using a wooden spatula. Sauté tofu until hot, this will take about 2-3 minutes.
In the meantime, put all seasonings into a small bowl and add just enough water to be able to whisk it together.It should be more like a paste and not watery.
Pour the seasoning mixture over the broken-up tofu and toss until each piece is coated well.
STEP 3: ASSEMBLE THE VEGETABLES & TOFU
Combine the veggies and tofu while adding the kale or spinach. Cover the pan and cook until the greens have wilted; this will happen quickly, about 5 minutes or so. Top with chopped cilantro and serve immediately.
Curried Tofu Scramble FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about this recipe.
What Kind of Tofu Should I Buy for Tofu Scramble?
Using firm tofu is best for this recipe, as it holds up well and provides just the right texture.
Does the Tofu Need to Be Pressed for Curried Tofu Scramble?
Yes, the tofu needs to be pressed or the scramble will be runny.
What Can I Serve with Spinach Curried Tofu Scramble?
Whole-grain toast or gluten-free bread are great options, in addition, stuffing the curried tofu scramble in a tortilla makes a great tofu scramble wrap. My family also really enjoys leftovers with rice the next day.
How Do You Store Indian Tofu Scramble?
It is best to store it in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator.
How Long Does Tofu Scramble with Spinach Last in The Fridge?
If you manage to have any leftovers, this dish can last up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
How Do You Reheat Curried Tofu Scramble?
It is best to reheat curried tofu scramble in a pan on the stove-top or in the microwave.
Can I Freeze Curried Tofu Scramble?
Freezing raw tofu seems to be okay, as there is more surface area for spices, so the tofu is more flavorful. Freezing cooked tofu, however, never works the same.
The texture of the cooked tofu changes when frozen and the pores expand. However, if you freeze cooked tofu, because of additional pours in the tofu the scramble begins to taste bland.
Try this super easy curried tofu scramble with spinach today for a delicious and healthy Indian vegan meal for breakfast, brunch, or whenever you have a craving for something quick and healthy.
Nutritional Information
There are a multitude of health benefits to this curried tofu scramble if prepared as directed. Here are a few you can gain by using the ingredients in this dish:
- Olive Oil- It is high in antioxidants, it can help to reduce inflammation in the body and fight against diseases like cancer, heart disease, and arthritis as well.
- Vegetable Broth – It is high in antioxidants, and can aid in stabilizing blood pressure, and improve metabolism and digestion.
- Onion – It is high in antioxidants, helps control blood sugar, and may boost bone density.
- Bell Pepper – A great source of Vitamins A, C, and potassium.
- Mushrooms – Helps to lower cholesterol, prevent inflammation in the body, increase absorption of iron, and are a great source of protein.
- Tofu – Contains fiber, calcium, and Omega-3s that can reduce the risk of anemia, help strengthen bones, improve metabolic rate, and provide relief from gout.
- Kale – is a superfood and it contains fiber, antioxidants, calcium, Vitamins C and K, iron, and a wide range of other nutrients that can help prevent various health problems like diabetes.
- Spinach – another superfood that is packed with nutrients that help improve blood glucose levels, lower the risk of cancer and improve bone health.
- Cilantro – Can help to lower blood sugar levels and promote digestive health.
- Curry – It helps to fight inflammation in the body, is packed with antioxidants, contains anti-cancer properties, can help in the prevention of Alzheimer’s, and protects the heart against heart disease.
- Garlic Powder – Can aid in regulating blood sugar levels, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well.
- Cumin – High in antioxidants, is anti-inflammatory and can help control blood sugar levels.
- Coriander – Can help with fighting infections, digestion, and gut health.
- Turmeric – It is a powerful antioxidant, is a natural inflammatory, and is good for your skin.
- Garam Masala – A powerful antioxidant that helps relieve heartburn, indigestion, and bloating.
- It’s healthy
- It’s vegan
- It’s egg-free
- It’s dairy-free
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-BON APPÉTIT!
