Name: Vegetarian Himmel und Erde with Pan-Fried Tofu
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: European cuisine
Ingredients: 1 kg potatoes (such as Russet or Yukon Gold, peeled and quartered); 2 tbsp butter; 0.5 cup milk (warmed); salt (to taste); black pepper (freshly ground, to taste); 1 cup applesauce (unsweetened); 1 lb firm tofu (pressed and cut into 1/2-inch thick rounds); 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for frying); 2 pcs onions (medium, thinly sliced); 0.25 cup vegetable broth; 1 tsp sugar (optional, for caramelizing onions); salt (to taste); black pepper (freshly ground, to taste)

Himmel und Erde

Prep: 25 min • Cook: 35 min. A meat-free twist on the classic, featuring the beloved potato and apple mash paired with savory pan-fried tofu rounds and caramelized onions for a satisfying vegetarian meal. This dish, also known as 'Heaven and Earth,' beautifully combines the richness of mashed potatoes (earth) with the sweetness of applesauce (heaven).

Preparation time: 25 min
Cooking time: 35 min
Total time: 1 hr
Servings: 4
Course: Main
Complexity: Easy

Units:

Scale:

Ingredients

Mashed Potatoes

2lb potatoes(such as Russet or Yukon Gold, peeled and quartered)
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup milk(warmed)
salt(to taste)
black pepper(freshly ground, to taste)

Applesauce

1 cup applesauce(unsweetened)

Pan-Fried Tofu and Onions

1lb firm tofu(pressed and cut into 1/2-inch thick rounds)
2 tbsp vegetable oil(for frying)
2 pcs onions(medium, thinly sliced)
1/4 cup vegetable broth
1 tsp sugar(optional, for caramelizing onions)
salt(to taste)
black pepper(freshly ground, to taste)

Instructions

Prepare Mashed Potatoes

Place the peeled and quartered potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add a pinch of salt.
Bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain well.
Return the potatoes to the pot. Mash them until smooth. Stir in butter and warmed milk until smooth and creamy.
Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Keep warm.

Prepare Tofu and Onions

Pat the tofu rounds dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu rounds in a single layer and pan-fry for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the same skillet. Add the sliced onions and cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and beginning to caramelize. If using, add sugar in the last few minutes of cooking.
Pour in the vegetable broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the liquid has reduced slightly and coats the onions. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Assemble the Dish

Spoon a generous portion of mashed potatoes onto each plate.
Place a few pan-fried tofu rounds on top of the mashed potatoes.
Spoon the caramelized onions over the tofu.
Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Servings: 4
Serving size (imperial): 12.3 oz

Nutrient	Per serving	Per 100 g	Total (4 servings)
Calories	650.5 kcal	185.9 kcal	2,602 kcal
Protein	25.2 g	7.2 g	100.8 g
Fat	30.1 g	8.6 g	120.4 g
Carbs	70.5 g	20.1 g	282 g

Tips

Pressing the tofu well is crucial for achieving a crispy exterior when pan-frying.
For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg to the mashed potatoes.
Garnish with fresh chives or parsley for a touch of color and freshness.

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Ingredients

Mashed Potatoes

2lb potatoes(such as Russet or Yukon Gold, peeled and quartered)
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup milk(warmed)
salt(to taste)
black pepper(freshly ground, to taste)

Applesauce

1 cup applesauce(unsweetened)

Pan-Fried Tofu and Onions

1lb firm tofu(pressed and cut into 1/2-inch thick rounds)
2 tbsp vegetable oil(for frying)
2 pcs onions(medium, thinly sliced)
1/4 cup vegetable broth
1 tsp sugar(optional, for caramelizing onions)
salt(to taste)
black pepper(freshly ground, to taste)

Instructions

Prepare Mashed Potatoes

Place the peeled and quartered potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add a pinch of salt.
Bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drain well.
Return the potatoes to the pot. Mash them until smooth. Stir in butter and warmed milk until smooth and creamy.
Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Keep warm.

Prepare Tofu and Onions

Pat the tofu rounds dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu rounds in a single layer and pan-fry for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the same skillet. Add the sliced onions and cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and beginning to caramelize. If using, add sugar in the last few minutes of cooking.
Pour in the vegetable broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the liquid has reduced slightly and coats the onions. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Assemble the Dish

Spoon a generous portion of mashed potatoes onto each plate.
Place a few pan-fried tofu rounds on top of the mashed potatoes.
Spoon the caramelized onions over the tofu.
Serve immediately.

Nutrient

Per serving

Per 100 g

Total (4 servings)

Calories

650.5 kcal

185.9 kcal

2,602 kcal

Protein

25.2 g

7.2 g

100.8 g

Fat

30.1 g

8.6 g

120.4 g

Carbs

70.5 g

20.1 g

282 g