GF Vegan Tofu Schnitzel With Rizi-bizi (Rice And Peas)

Wiener Schnitzel used to be the main course every week on our Sunday dinner menu when I grew up. When I turned vegetarian it was the first thing I gave up. Since then I hadn't eaten anything similar to it until somehow, I came across the idea of making a faux schnitzel with tofu slices.

This traditional Hungarian recipe of rizi-bizi (rice with peas) is from my Grandma's kitchen but I am sure many of you might be familiar with it, as I heard from other people they believe it's Italian (they call it Risi e Bisi) or Croatian (who also call it rizi bizi) recipe, but as simple it is, it might be a global dish.

tofu schnitzel with rice and peas on a green plate with a fork

GF Vegan Tofu Schnitzel With Rizi-bizi (Rice And Peas)

Recipe Type: Hearty Entrees

YIELDS 2 servings

PREP TIME 10 min

COOK TIME 20 min

TOTAL TIME 30 min

250 g arborio rice
175 g frozen green peas
2 tbs olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
to garnish fresh parsley leaves
to taste salt, pepper
1 block Extra Firm Tofu, sliced into fillets then patted dry
3 tbs chicken seasoning
1 +1 cup gluten-free flour
2 cups gluten free breadcrumbs
for shallow frying vegetable oil

Directions

1. In a saucepan heat up the olive oil and sauté the finely chopped onion until transparent, add rice and sauté for a few minutes until each rice piece becomes greasy with oil.

2. Add water to the rice, salt and pepper. Usual measure of the manufacturer for cooking rice is 1:3 (rice: water), so do it as they say. Cook rice stirring occasionally until rice is done.

3. Just then stir in frozen peas and parsley, combine well and cover with a lit. Let it sit until peas are soft.

4. Meanwhile rice is cooking prepare the tofu schnitzel:

Mix together 1 cup flour & chicken seasoning in a mixing bowl. In another bowl whisk together the other cup of flour with enough water to make it a beaten egg like consistency.

5. Place the breadcrumbs in a 3rd bowl.

6. Individually dip each slice of tofu first into the flour mix, then the watered flour & finally cover with breadcrumbs. Once coated, place the tofu on a plate.

7. To fry the schnitzel in a large frying pan heat up some oil and when hot place the slices in the pan for around 2-3 minutes on each side. Once the schnitzels are nice and golden, place them back on the plate on a paper towel to drink up excess oil.

Also by Imola: Crispy Vegan Vegetable Fritters (Gluten-free)

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Photo: Imola Toth