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Tofu Achari “Paneer” – Tofu & Veggies in Achari Sauce made with tomatoes, onions and Indian Pickling spices. Add chickpeas or more vegetables to make soy-free. Vegan Gluten-free Recipe. Nut-free option
Achaar/Achar means Pickle. Many Indian pickles use special blends of whole or ground spices to make a flavor profile that is called Achari (like pickle). Oil is generally the medium for pickling used in Indian rather than vinegar. Spices tempered in oil and mixed with fruits like mango and veggies like carrots, cauliflower, chilies etc make deliious strong flavored pickles that are often served as condiments with meals. The spice blends vary with region. Some specific blends when added to a sauce, give it an amazing pickle-like flavor (not tangy or vinegary, but the flavors from the spices like mustard seeds, fennel seeds, nigella seeds etc).
This Achari Tofu is a vegan version of the Achari Paneer which is a tomato onion sauce spiced with pickle spices. For a quick version you can also add some Indian mango pickle into the sauce, blend and use. Veggies like peppers, cauliflower, broccoli. carrots and others work really well with this sauce. In this Achari Tofu, I use bell peppers and broccoli with the tofu. This Achari Paneer Sauce is a simple and quick sauce but packs so much Flavor punch. Add just veggies or some beans to make without Tofu.
More Popular Indian Mains and Curries here and another 100 in my first book!
More Curries from the blog
- Butter Tofu – Tofu in Butter Masala Sauce
- Hemp-Tofu in Pasanda Sauce
- Gobi Musallam – Whole Roasted Cauliflower in Makhani Sauce
- Instant Pot Butter Chiken (Soycurls + chickpeas)
- Palak Tofu – Tofu in Spinach Curry.
So Saucy! Like most well spiced sauces, the flavor develops more and more over time and the dish has stronger flavors after a few hours. This dish doesnt use/need garam masala as there is plenty flavor from the whole spices. If you make this or any of the other Indian Mains from the blog, do let me know in the comments how everything worked out! Some recipes can need a bit of planning and spice pantry. I do try to simplify as much as possible without losing the traditional flavor profile.
And while you are here, do see this report on what was found inside a Sperm whale’s stomach and body from the ocean.
Tofu Achari “Paneer” – Tofu & Veggies in Achari Sauce
Ingredients
Achari Masala blend:
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/4 tsp each of mustard seeds, , fenugreek seeds, fennel seeds, nigella seeds (use whichever seeds you have, see notes for sub options)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Achari Sauce:
- 8 oz tofu, , pressed and cubed
- 1 tsp oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 6 cloves of garlic
- 1 inch of ginger , or 1 tbsp minced
- 1 hot green chile, , seeds removed to reduce heat, or 1/4 of a green bell pepper
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 2 large tomatoes or 1.5 cups canned
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar or maple
- 1/2 cup non dairy yogurt , or use vegan sour cream or cashew cream made with 1/3 cup cashews blended with 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cups vegetables such as thinly sliced bell pepper, , broccoli (small florets), peas, zucchini
- 1/4 tsp nigella seeds, optional for garnish, cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the spices (except red pepper flakes) on a skillet over medium heat until toasted or until fennel seeds start to change color. Mix in the pepper flakes and take off heat. Pulse once in a blender or use a mortar and pestle to break some of the spices. Reserve 1/2 tsp of the mix for garnish.
- Prep the tofu. You can use just pressed tofu, or crisped in oil for a few mins, or baked with spices like my Butter tofu.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and a pinch of salt and cook until golden. Pulse the garlic, ginger and chile in a blender with a tbsp of water to make a paste. Add the paste to the onion skillet. Alternatively, mince them and add to the onion.
- Cook for a minute. Add the Achari spice mix(from step 1), coriander, turmeric and mix in. Cook for another minute.
- In the same blender blend the tomatoes until smooth and add to the skillet. Alternatively use chopped tomatoes.
- Cook until the tomato mixture is well roasted. Add salt, sugar and non dairy yogurt and mix in.
- Add water, tofu, veggies (except broccoli) and mix in. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust salt, flavor and heat. [Add some garam masala for added flavor if needed or add 1-2 tsp mango pickle minus the mango at this point add some esp if omitting some of the spices or for some more flavor burst)]. Add broccoli and mix in. Reduce heat to medium low, Cover and cook for 3 minutes so broccoli is well steamed but not mushy. Uncover and cook for another minute to reduce sauce if needed. Take off heat.
- Garnish with the reserved achari spices, more nigella seeds (and some cayenne for additional heat) and cilantro. Serve with flatbread or with rice or grains.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is INCREDIBLE and packed with flavor! Cook some basmati restaurant Indian rice to go with this dish, and you’ll be all set. You can find all the spices at your local Indian grocery store, or on Amazon.
Made this last night using fenugreek leaves instead of seeds and omitted the nigella because I couldn’t find them. It was truly spectacular. I will add it to my regular rotation.
I just made this and it was amazing! I used vegan sour cream instead of yogurt bc it’s what I had… I love the base and am in love with this dish!
Awesome! Great idea! I’ll add sour cream as an option.
Loved this! I’ve only been to one restaurant that has this (and was willing to sub tofu for paneer). Wanted even more of a pickle taste, so added a few tablespoons of mango pickle. Perfection! Veggies used were peas, red pepper, and broccoli. Thanks so much.
Awesome!
Hi there,
I am addicted to mango pickle so this is an appealing recipe and I would like to try your idea of incorporating it in the recipe, as you mention in the introduction. How much would you use in this recipe? Should I use just the pickling goo in the jar or the mango also? And do I replace some of the ingredients with it or simply add it to the fray?
Thanks in advance, I’m really looking forward to trying it.
Yes, just the pickle spice and oil will work You can omit the spices and add 2 tsp of the pickle. add more later when you taste if needed
Thanks for your advice. I made it this evening subbing the pickle and it was delicious!
awesome!
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I tried this yesterday for dinner and it was totally delicious. It is now one of my favorite Tofu dishes. Thanks a lot Richa
awesome!!
OMG this looks so tasty. Love the colours and the sauce looks delicious. Need to make this one!
This dish looks so beautiful! I’m not sure I’ve ever seen fenugreek seeds before but if I ever find them I will be making this. 😊
I will definitely use this next time I cook tofu! Do you have any suggestions for what non-dairy yogurt would work best in this recipe? A lot of vegan yogurt alternatives have a very strong flavor, so I don’t want to have anything overpowering the spices in this recipe!
i use almond milk yogurt and it works wonderfully