Preparation

• Tofu is the star. To make the marinade, combines garlic, umami-rich soy, and a house-made balsamic vinaigrette—and lets the tofu soak for a couple days.
  
  This tofu shines bright well for any sort of meal prep. Crumble it and throw it in a salad (dressed with an extra drizzle of tofu marinade) or load up some tacos with tofu and veggies.
  Lay fat slices on a grain bowl. Pile cubed tofu atop a bowl of noodles or add them to a stir fry.
  Here’s how to make balsamic-soy-marinated tofu:
  
  Heads up: The prep time is minimal, but it does need to marinate for several hours, so plan ahead.
  
  In an airtight container, stir together your marinade ingredients: ¾ cup store-bought balsamic vinaigrette (or equal parts balsamic vinegar and olive oil), 3–4 Tbsp. soy sauce or tamari (depending on how salty the dressing is), and 3 minced garlic cloves (or a heavy sprinkle of garlic powder or onion powder).
  Feel free to add a spoonful of herbs, such as dried Italian seasoning or fresh cilantro, and a splash of maple syrup or a dab of brown sugar if you prefer a sweeter marinade.
  
  Drain 1 (14- to 16-oz.) package of extra-firm tofu. (Do not substitute something softer like silken tofu—it’s too fragile here.) If you have a tofu press, feel free to use it, but there’s no need to press tofu here; just bundle it in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels, and gently squeeze it to get rid of excess water. Use your hands to break the block of tofu into craggy hunks (about the size of strawberries). Or cut it into slices or cubes if you prefer a uniform shape.
  
  Drop the tofu pieces into the marinade and gently stir to coat.
  Cover it with wrap or a lid, then refrigerate for 12–48 hours. (The smaller the tofu pieces, the less total time you’ll need to marinate.) The top of the tofu might poke out of the marinade, so give it a shake every so often to make sure each piece is thoroughly soaked.
  
  When you’re ready to eat, preheat the oven to 375°F. Use a fork or slotted spoon to transfer the marinated tofu to a baking sheet.
  For easier cleanup, you can line the pan with parchment paper, but it works either way. (Save that leftover marinade to dress salads.) Evenly spread out the tofu pieces. Bake for 30–45 minutes, shuffling the mixture halfway through for even cooking, until the tofu is deeply golden brown.
  
  To reheat leftover tofu, pan fry it over medium to medium-high heat in your favorite cast iron, toss it in an air fryer, or zap it in the microwave.