Crispy diced potatoes, charred vegetables, and smoky spiced tofu come together in this hearty breakfast hash, which takes its cues from classic American diner cooking. Smoked paprika and soy sauce give the tofu deep savory flavor in place of the eggs typically found in this style of dish. The whole skillet is ready in about 35 minutes.
14ozextra-firm tofupressed for at least 15 minutes to remove excess moisture
2tbspolive oilplus more if needed for sautéing
1cupyellow onionfinely diced
2clovesgarlicminced
1 ½cupsred bell pepperdiced small
2cupsgold potatoesskin-on, diced small (about ½-inch)
1tspsmoked paprikaadds smoky flavor depth
½tspturmericfor golden color and earthy flavor
½tspground cuminadds warmth and depth
1tbsptamarior low-sodium soy sauce
½tspsea saltadjust to taste
¼tspblack pepperfreshly ground
2tbspchopped fresh parsleyfor garnish
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Instructions
Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Crumble the pressed tofu with your hands or a fork into bite-size irregular chunks—this mimics the texture of scrambled eggs. Set aside.
In the heated skillet, add 1 tbsp of olive oil. Sauté the potatoes with a pinch of salt for 10–12 minutes, tossing every few minutes, until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside on a plate.
In the same skillet, add the remaining tbsp of oil. Sauté onions over medium heat for 3–4 minutes until translucent. Then add garlic and bell peppers, cooking for another 4–5 minutes until softened and aromatic.
Push veggies to the side and add the crumbled tofu to the pan. Let it sit undisturbed for 2–3 minutes to brown slightly, then stir. Add smoked paprika, turmeric, cumin, tamari, salt, and pepper. Cook everything together for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to enhance flavor.
Return the cooked potatoes to the pan, give the hash a gentle toss, and cook for 2 more minutes to blend flavors. Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley.
Notes
For extra crispness, bake or air-fry diced potatoes at 425°F (218°C) for 20 minutes before adding to the skillet.
Add a hint of heat with a pinch of cayenne or diced jalapeño.
Use kala namak (black salt) for an ‘eggy’ aroma and flavor.
If avoiding soy, substitute tofu with smashed chickpeas or tempeh slices.