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My First Tempeh

Published on January 14, 2011 By Emily. Updated on January 14, 2011

As you may recall, I got a new cookbook for Christmas: The Meat Lover’s Meatless Cookbook by Kim O’Donnel .  My parents bought it for me, chosen largely at random from my inappropriately long Amazon wishlist.  And I am in love with this cookbook.  In the 2 and a 1/2 weeks that it’s been in my possession, I’ve made 3 excellent recipes from its pages: Black Bean-Sweet Potato Chili, Smokin’ Hoppin’ John and Penne with Tempeh, Caramelized Shallots and Goat Cheese.

Yes, tempeh.  Tempeh is a fermented soybean cake, and though that sounds disgusting, it’s really not.  In my opinion, tempeh is more meatlike in texture than tofu and has a nuttier flavor.  I don’t usually go looking for meat substitutes, but this was pretty close and I can’t wait to cook with it again.

pan-fried tempeh

And, the lovely people at Da Capo Lifelong have given me permission to post the recipe that has completely changed my opinion about tempeh.  The instructions look long, but they are EASY.  I promise.

Penne with Tempeh, Caramelized Shallots and Goat Cheese

2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 clove garlic, minced
Juice of 1/2 lime
1 teaspoon hot sauce of choice (optional)
1 (8-ounce) package soy tempeh, cut into 1-inch strips
Vegetable oil, for pan-frying
2 to 3 shallot bulbs, sliced thinly (about 1/2 cup)
A few sprigs’ worth of fresh thyme leaves, picked from stems (I used dried)
Salt and ground black pepper
12 ounces short pasta, such as penne, rotini or ziti
3 ounces soft goat cheese
3 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
A small handful of fresh flat-lead parsley, chopped roughly

Marinate the tempeh: In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, mustard, sesame oil, garlic, lime juice, and hot sauce (if using).  Place the tempeh in a shallow dish in a single layer and pour the marinade on top, ensuring complete coverage.  Let the tempeh sit in marinade at room temperature for a minimum of 20 minutes, or in the fridge for up to several hours.

Remove the tempeh from the marinade and gently pat with paper towels to minimize splattering when frying in the hot oil.

Pour the oil to a depth of 1/4 inch into a wide skillet and heat over medium heat.  The oil is hot enough when it surrounds the tempeh with bubbles.  (I used a bit less oil than this; when I thought the oil was getting close to hot enough, I added one piece of tempeh.  When it was surrounded by bubbles, I added the rest)

Gently add the tempeh and turn with tongs or a fork, until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes.  Add more oil as necessary and allow to heat sufficiently before adding more tempeh.  Transfer the tempeh to paper towels to drain and allow to cool slightly.  Sprinkle with salt.

Lower the heat and add shallots.  (Add more oil if need be, but be careful, you don’t want the shallot mixture to be overly greasy.)  Cook over medium-low heat, so they soften, sweeten and reduce but not brown, about 15 minutes.  Add the thyme and salt and pepper to taste.  Remove from heat.

Meanwhile, boil water for the pasta and prepare according to the package instructions.

Crumble the tempeh into small pieces and add to the shallot mixture, stirring to combine.

In the bottom of a serving bowl (or your just emptied pasta pot, as I did), place the goat cheese.  Drain the pasta when ready (saving a few ounces of pasta water just in case the end result needs thinning) and pour into the bowl over the goat cheese.  With two wooden spoons, coat the pasta with the melting goat cheese.  And the tempeh mixture and the parsley, stirring gently until well combined.  Garnish with Parmigiano-Reggiano, if you like.

Serve hot.

Makes 4 hearty servings; reheats beautifully.

From the book The Meat Lover’s Meatless Cookbook by Kim O’Donnel.  Excerpted by arrangement with Da Capo Lifelong, a member of the Perseus Books Group.  Copyright © 2010.

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Filed Under: recipe Tagged With: books, pasta, recipe, vegetarian

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Comments

  1. Bethany @Bridezilla Bakes.com says

    January 14, 2011 at 6:00 pm

    I’m so glad you shared this! I used to read Kim’s column at the Washington Post, before she left — she’s a great writer, and I’ve really considered buying this book but I don’t know anyone who owns it. I’m so glad that you like it — I might have to take the plunge, now. Or, at least add it to my own inappropriately long Amazon wish list :)

    • Emily says

      January 17, 2011 at 8:25 am

      I just made my 4th recipe from the cookbook (Potpie with a Cheddar-Biscuit Crust) and it too was amazing. At least get it from a library somewhere and see if you like it as much as I do.

      Thanks for reading!

  2. Amy at TheSceneFromMe says

    January 14, 2011 at 9:03 pm

    I really need to get some tempeh to try. I think I would like it, especially the way you’ve fixed it! Shallots, goat cheese and parsley, delicious!

    • Emily says

      January 17, 2011 at 8:24 am

      I stayed away from it for a long time, but it was well worth trying it!

      Thanks for stopping by :)

  3. Simply Life says

    January 16, 2011 at 7:56 pm

    I have yet to make tempeh – this looks great!

Trackbacks

  1. Relishments » Highlights: Meat and Dairy Free says:
    January 16, 2011 at 9:09 pm

    […] Show” button at the top of the page).  The show  Features Kim O’Donnel (author of my current favorite cookbook), Isa Chandra Moskowitz, and Molly Katzen.  An excellent discussion of the varying levels of […]

  2. » Look Ma, No Eggs! says:
    August 19, 2011 at 10:08 am

    […] Later that evening, I was making Smokin’ Hoppin’ John (black eyed peas and rice) from one of my favorite cookbooks.  […]

  3. » Cooking For Other People (+ a Pasta Recipe) says:
    July 22, 2014 at 1:37 pm

    […] Brian and I eat “weird” food.  I figure it’s probably best not to make Penne with Tempeh, Caramelized Shallots and Goat Cheese for first time guests.  Last weekend our church had a Palm Sunday potluck dinner and I signed up […]

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