Chipotle style Braised Tofu Sofritas

Ever since I moved to US, Chipotle has been on my favorites list for a quick dinner or weekend lunch. I started off with the Veggie bowl and slowly moved on the Sofritas bowl. And since the time I started having the Sofritas, I never went back to the Veggie bowl! Sofritas makes the bowl filling, saucy and flavorful. The tag-line that Chipotle has used for Sofritas is Vegans and Carnivores unite, and it is truly so!

After having the Sofritas at Chipotle, I decided to try them at home. On reading the information on Chipotle's website it was clear that the main ingredients to make this at home are: Chipotle Peppers, Roasted Poblanas Chili and tofu. I bought the extra firm tofu from the Asian store and got all my chilies and peppers from the Mexican market here. The ingredients were ready, and the dish was made in about an hour. It is a slightly long process, but the result is so great. The texture was almost as good as Chipotle's and the flavors were great too. I made Sofritas along with the Veggie bowl.

On making them at home I realized they do make a great part of the famous Buritto bowl and they can be used as a vegan stuffing for most Mexican items like Taco or Chalupa. Not only that, add some spice to it and the Sofritas can be enjoyed with a side of roti or Naan or even as a substitute for Paneer Bhurji! After including it in the buritto bowl I may mot make the bowl without sofritas again!! Try it today and enjoy a hearty meal.

Ingredients

Extra Firm Tofu 1 box

Chipotle Chili 2

Poblanas Chili 1-2

Onion ½ diced

Green Pepper ½ diced

Garlic 1 pod

Tomato ½ diced

Oregano 1 tsp

Taco seasoning 1 tsp

Salt, Lime Juice

Cilantro

Method

Remove the tofu from the water and press it between two kitchen towels. Keep a heavy object on it so that the water drains out. While the water drains, roast the Poblanas Chili. To roast, wash and dry the chili. Then apply oil on its surface and wrap it in aluminium foil. Roast it on open flame evenly. Remove from flame and let the chili cool. Open up the foil and remove the skin. Dice the chili and set aside.

In a pan, heat oil/butter. Dice the tofu and place them in the pan. Once the side browns, turn it over and brown the other side. Once both sides are brown, crumble the tofu with your hands once it is cool enough to handle. Place the crumbled tofu in a plate. In the same pan, heat a teaspoon of oil. Add some garlic, shredded jalapeno pepper, green pepper, onion and the roasted chili. Once the raw flavor vanishes, add the tomato and cook till it softens. Next, add the crumbled tofu and cook. The tofu crumbles will turn brown and flavorful. Top with dried oregano and taco seasoning.

Adjust the salt and spice. If you need more spice, add some roasted paprika. Sprinkle cilantro and add some lime juice. Sofritas is ready. It can be used as a part of Chipotle's Buritto bowl or used to make tacos or burittos.