How to Make the Best Veggie Snack Board You’ve Ever Tasted
The sausage boards are fantastic in many ways, whether it ‘s going on a camping trip , assembling your kids for lunch , organizing a party, a last minute dinner when you’re too tired to cook, or even serving one as lunch. Valentine’s Day gift . A classic isn’t a classic for a reason, and meats are no exception: a mix of jerky and cooked meats, pickles, fruits, vegetables, nuts, crackers and (sometimes) complementary cheeses offers a well-balanced array of flavors.
However, if you are after a vegetarian board, putting together a snack board can be tricky. Without meat, it’s just a cheese plate (or a bunch of pickles and crackers), which is still nice, but sometimes you want a protein option with a weight and flavor that cheese alone can’t fully satisfy. So if you are making a veggie snack board, what options do you have?
Expanding options for ready-made vegetarian snacks
One of the nice things about sausage boards is that they are easy to assemble as many of the ingredients can be prepared in advance. When it comes to vegetarian options, there are far more of them today than there were in the past, which means that if you don’t have enough time, you will still have enough time to choose from.
The exact selection will vary depending on where you live, but there are a number of plant-based deli meats, sausages, and various plant-based meat options that will fit well on your appetizer board.
Some examples include the harmless Sweet Earth ham, Tofurky delicacies, Frida’s Soyrizo, or Field Roast festive fried foods. Finding the one you like is a matter of trial and error, but the good news is that the number of options grows every day.
How to make your own plant-based meats
If you have a little more time and want to make a homemade version, you can also make your own plant-based meat options for the butcher board. It is best made with tofu as it is easy to make, absorbs flavor well, and is readily available.
“Don’t be afraid to think outside the box with tofu, [it] can be baked, fried, stewed and blended, giving way to endless recipes,” said Marissa Mullen , culinary stylist and Meat Plate Assembly Representative at House Foods America . Mullen, who can be found on Instagram at @ThatCheesePlate , has rounded up just about every imaginable meat appetizer combination that exists, and veggie boards are no exception.
“Tofu is such a great product to cook [because] its natural taste is soft and it’s made with different textures,” Mullen said. “This creates an affordable slate that can be used with a variety of spices and cooking methods.”
When it comes to vegetarian options for her butcher board, Mullen has a number of tofu recipes that she always loves, including smoky tofu bacon, tofu chorizo, and baked basil tofu bites she shared with Lifehacker.
Tofu chorizo
Ingredients:
- 1 pack of hard tofu, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ tablespoon adobo sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper for flavor
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, combine chopped tofu, 1 tablespoon olive oil, apple cider vinegar, adobo sauce, and spices.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmery.
3. Add the seasoned tofu crumbs and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and crispy.
Tofu bacon
Ingredients:
- ½ packet extra hard tofu
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons liquid smoke
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper for flavor
Instructions:
1. Cut the tofu into thin strips, about ⅛ inch.
2. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, soy sauce, tomato paste, maple syrup, runny smoke, salt and pepper.
3. Place the tofu in a shallow baking dish and cover with liquid. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1-4 hours (up to 24 hours).
4. Preheat oven to 350 ℉ and lightly coat a non-stick baking sheet with oil.
5. Place the tofu strips evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. Turn over and bake for another 15-20 minutes, until lightly browned and crispy.
Breaded tofu with basil
Ingredients:
- ½ packet extra hard tofu
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup unsweetened oat milk or almond milk
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 425 ℉.
2. Cut the tofu into 1 inch cubes.
3. In a shallow bowl, combine panko, basil, onion powder, salt and pepper.
4. Pour milk into a small bowl.
5. Dip each tofu cube in milk, then pour over the panko mixture, covering all sides.
6. Place on a baking sheet and bake 40-50 minutes until golden brown and crispy, turning the tofu every 15 minutes.
The next time you’re in the mood for a meat-based snack, it’s good to know that there are additional plant-based options. After all, all the joy of appetizing meats is options.