Tofu has come a long way baby. One of the tastiest ways to prepare this super nutritious plant food is pressed and baked. This causes a chewier “meatier” texture than regular tofu. Supermarkets now sell flavored baked tofu, but they’re often high in sodium. Here is my version inspired by the flavors of McDonald’s new Artisan Grilled Chicken.

Baked McDonald’s-Flavored Tofu

1. Place a block of firm tofu in a colander. Cover with a paper towel and place 1-2 soup or bean cans on top of tofu. Let sit for 15-20 minutes to allow water to drain out.
2. Meanwhile prepare the marinade in a bowl: Add 2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp sugar, 2 tbsp honey, 6 tbsp lemon juice and half cup water. Mix well until incorporated.
3. Chop pressed tofu into cubes or larger blocks (as shown below) and place in a bowl covered with marinade. Refrigerate and let sit for at least 30 minutes.
4. Place marinated tofu on a baking sheet covered with foil and bake at 350 F for 30 minutes. If you prefer a drier, chewier texture, bake longer for 45 minutes.
5. Refrigerate leftovers for up to a week.

It was incredibly flavorful and delicious, and I enjoyed eating the tofu warm added to a rice dish or cold right out of the refrigerator as a snack. You can also eat it as a sandwich as pictured below—a vegetarian version of McDonald’s Artisan Grilled Chicken Sandwich!