Pizza Sausage

• 2 medium bowls
• rubber spatula
• non-stick rimmed cookie sheet (or cookie sheet lined with parchment paper)

• 1 pound frozen tofu, thawed and pressed*
• ⅔ c sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 T nutritional yeast
• 1 T sugar
• 1 T tahini
• 1 T soy sauce
• 1 t smoked paprika
• 1 t fennel seeds, crushed
• 1 t Italian herbs
• 1 t smoked salt
• ½ t pepper

While the tofu is pressing, mix together all the other ingredients in one of the bowls.

Tear** all the tofu into bite-size pieces, collecting them in the other bowl, then add to the marinade all at once.***

Preheat oven to 375.

Stir well to coat evenly, then let sit for 10 minutes

Spread sausage in a single layer on the cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Stir and return to the oven for another 15 minutes, until browned to your liking.

Use anywhere you need a richly flavored sausage, such as pizza, stuffed peppers, cabbage rolls, or spaghetti sauce.

** For the most realistic looking sausage, press the whole block for an hour, then tear into pieces. Or if you prefer, you can slice it and press for 20 minutes, then cut into neat cubes.

*** Thawed, pressed tofu is a sponge, so don’t add the pieces to the marinade as you tear them, or the first ones will absorb everything. Tear all the tofu into another bowl, then stir into the marinade all at once.