Smoky Tempeh Bacon

vegan, gluten-free (if using tamari), nut-free

Adapted from recipe on A Couple Cooks

This is a delicious way to prepare tempeh. Tempeh is a fermented soy product that has a nutty, slightly bitter taste on its own, but when you marinate it properly, you can make it taste like whatever you want! (i.e. bacon)

Try these along with Tofu Scramble and Cornbread Biscuits for breakfast or along with some sliced avocado on a TLT (tempeh-lettuce-tomato) sandwich.

Serves: 4 / Active time: 20 minutes / Total time: at least 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. package of tempeh
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional)
• 1 tablespoon liquid smoke (optional)*
• 2 pinches of cayenne
• dash black pepper

Directions:

1. Cut the tempeh into thin strips, about ⅛ to ¼ inches thick.
2. In a shallow glass or ceramic dish, whisk together the olive oil, tamari/soy sauce, maple syrup, liquid smoke, cayenne, and black pepper.
   
3. Place the tempeh slices into the marinade. Turn the tempeh several times to make sure it is fully coated. Leave to marinate for at least 10 minutes, but up to overnight (the longer it sits, the stronger the flavor).
   
4. Heat a griddle or skillet. Add some olive oil and pan fry the tempeh on each side until browned.
   
5. Remove to a plate to cool. If desired, season with sea salt and fresh ground pepper.
   

*I only recently started cooking with liquid smoke, having always just omitted it from the recipes I was following. It really makes a big difference in flavor, though! You can find it near the barbecue sauce in most grocery stores (and it's inexpensive).

Goes great with Tofu Scramble and Cornbread Biscuits