What is that? You want to cook something that sounds crazy and tastes delicious? Then this is for you. These instructions will walk you through the basics of creating waffle tofu and impregnating it with delicious flavor using common kitchen tools and the easiest of ingredients.

It might not sound like your grandma's crock pot recipe, but it will be a wonderful tool to pull out and entertain friends. That is of course assuming your friends are entertained by cooking techniques.

Step 1: What You Will Need

1 block of extra firm tofu
1.5 cups of mushrooms (baby Bella mushrooms pictured)
2 cups of your favorite sauce (teriyaki pictured)

1 can of nonstick cooking spray
1 cutting knife
1 cutting board
1 waffle iron
1 slow cooker

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: Flexible

Step 2: Cut the Tofu in Half

Carefully, use your cutting knife to half the tofu block so you are left with two ~3/4 inch thick slabs.

Note: This thickness was chosen to optimize the surface area to internal-tofu ratio on my waffle iron. Your personal taste or waffle iron may call for different thickness tofu slabs.

Step 3: Waffle the Tofu

The tofu is cooked on the waffle iron to increase the surface area and remove some of the water in the tofu to make room for the flavorful fluids to come in and later explode with deliciousness.

Preheat the waffle iron completely.
Spray the waffle iron with nonstick spray and quickly add the tofu then carefully close the waffle iron.
After approximately 5 minutes when the tofu is lightly browned and crispy to the touch on both sides, remove it from the waffle iron and set to the side to rest.
Repeat with all remaining slabs of tofu.

Note: You may find that slight pressure is required to close the waffle iron completely.

Step 4: Cut the Mushrooms

Cut the mushrooms as desired. I prefer ~1/4 inch slices.

Note: These instructions use mushrooms; however, you can use whatever you want: broccoli, bok choy, carrots, meat, nothing, etc.

Step 5: Cut the Tofu

Cut the tofu into bit size (or larger) morsels.

If the waffle pattern is similar to that shown, I suggest cutting so each waffle well is quartered. Do so by repeating the cut seen on the left twice to receive tofu blocks similiar to those on the right. Consider trying a block of the tofu now to compare the before and after of the slow cooking.

Step 6: Combine Ingredients and Start the Slow Cooking

Combine ingredients in slow cooker and cover with desired sauce. These instructions used a generic store bought teriyaki sauce from Trader Joes; however, any sauce will do. If necessary use broth to increase the fluid to solid ratio, but keep in mind that mushrooms and tofu both tend to release some fluid and cook down.

Turn on high heat for and cook for a minimum of 1-3 hours depending on your preferred texture.

Step 7: Optional Carbohydrate Preparation

Cook a carbohydrate to go with your delicious tofu dish and absorb extra sauce. I recommend short grained rice or soba noodles.

Seen above is short grain brown rice cooked in a rice cooker for ~90 minutes. Cooking times will vary so plan accordingly.

Step 8: Finish

Plate your food in your favorite bowl or plate and enjoy the delicious meal in front of you.

Introduction: Slow Cooked Teriyaki Waffle Tofu