Why choose between spicy, savory, and sweet when you can have them ALL? All the taste buds light up with this Caribbean-inspired bowl featuring roasted plantains and tofu coated in the magic of jerk seasoning and paired with a sweet, crunchy mango cucumber salad and creamy sauce. It’s a big bowl of YUM!
We can’t wait for you to try this satisfying, protein-packed, plant-based meal. Let us show you how it’s done!
How to Make Jerk Tofu & Roasted Plantain Bowls
First things first: the jerk! And we’re not talking the kind that cuts you off in traffic. Jerk seasoning originates in Jamaica, and it’s a smoky, spicy, warming blend. Our DIY version comes together in just a few minutes with salt, brown sugar, and a few basic spices.
For this recipe, we turn the jerk spice blend into an incredibly flavorful sauce for the tofu and plantains by adding olive oil, tamari, and maple syrup. Olive oil and maple syrup ensure the plantains get crispy edges while the tamari adds depth of flavor.
The tofu we use in this recipe is super firm tofu, which is high in protein and also has most of the water squeezed out, meaning you can skip pressing the tofu. Instead, just crumble it into bite-sized pieces (this is now our favorite way to prepare tofu as evidenced by exhibits A, B, and C)!
For the plantains, you’ll want to get your hands on some ripe plantains, which will be sweet and irresistible. When ripe, plantains will be yellow with brown spots and slightly soft to the touch. Check out our guide to plantains for more guidance.
Once your jerk tofu and plantains are in the oven, it’s time to make the accompaniments: mango cucumber salad and parsley tahini sauce. These two additions really turn this into a cohesive bowl and complete meal.
Besides parsley and tahini, the parsley tahini sauce has lime juice for brightness, tamari for overall flavor, maple syrup for balance, and water to get it all blending.
Plate up a little of each item and prepare for a moment of silence while everyone is busy savoring this delicious meal!
We can’t wait for you to try these bowls! They’re: