This is a spectacular recipe to demonstrate the versatility of tempeh. When covered with a delectable home-made BBQ sauce and oven baked, it becomes a superb, brisket-like centerpiece, that'll sate anyone's desire for a meaty, bbq roast. Serve this BBQ tempeh with mashed potatoes and blueberry slaw, and it's an utterly delicious dish, perfect for outdoor summer meals.
1tablespoonsoy milk, or your favorite plant-based milk
Dash of dried thyme
Salt and pepper
Instructions
For the BBQ Tempeh
Firstly, bring a couple quarts of water to a boil in a medium-large pot. Then, boil the tempeh directly in the water for about 12 - 15 minutes. This tenderizes it and give it a softer texture overall. Remove the tempeh from the pot, and let cool for a couple minutes before proceeding.
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Then, slice width-wise along the block of tempeh ¼-inch apart, just to the bottom without cutting through.
Combine the BBQ marinade ingredients (or simply use your favorite store-bought bbq sauce), and generously brush about ½ of the marinade onto the tempeh - just the side with the slits on it for now.
Bake the tempeh for 12 minutes. Remove the tempeh from oven, gently flip it over, and brush with it another ¼ of the marinade. Bake for another 12 minutes. Remove one last time, flip the tempeh back over to the side with slits, and brush with the rest of the marinade, and broil for 2 - 3 minutes, just until the marinade is heated through.
For the blueberry-carrot slaw
Chop finely the quarter head of cabbage, grate a large carrot, and add those along with the other ingredients to a medium bowl. Mix well, and refrigerate until you're ready to eat.
For the mashed potatoes
Peel 3 - 4 russett potatoes, cut them in half length-wise, and then cover with lightly salted water. Boil for 20 - 25 minutes, until tender. Then drain the potatoes, return them to the pot, and mash them with the other ingredients, until everything is well incorporated. Cover to keep warm.
For assembly
Heap a dollop of mashed potatoes, then slaw, and lay a generous section of BBQ tempeh along with it!