Vegan Caprese Salad for #SundaySupper

Labor Day - Summer is just about over...oh, I am so sad but here is the good thing tomatoes are at their peak here in Oregon.  Lovely, delicious, ripe, juicy heirloom tomatoes. So, so good - and they are just perfect right now.  What am I talking about...okay so this is the very first time, that I am participating in the weekly #SundaySupper around the family table.  The theme for this weekend is Labor Day Cookout and I am bringing Vegan Caprese Salad to the cookout.

If there is a food I miss in our daily life without galactose it is Caprese Salad.  {Just in case you do not know this,  both my kids have a rare metabolic disorder called "Classic Galactosemia". This means that  neither of them can metabolize galactose, which is a long milk sugar.}  Fresh Mozzarella used in Caprese Salad is completely out of the picture, well at least until I thought of this. Yes, why not use tofu? Worth a try, right? And voila...it turned out perfect; flavors, texture, and all!  Perfect to go along the cookout plus it is so easy to make.

Easy, delicious, and absolutely dairy free :)

8 oz. of firm tofu, pressed
1-2 tsp of Italian herbs
1-2 T of Olive Oil
2-3 large to medium heirloom tomatoes
handful of basil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Balsamic Reduction {optional}
salt, and pepper to taste

1. Pat the tofu with 1-2 tsp {or more} of Italian herbs, and sprinkle with salt
2. Cut tofu into about 1/4" thick, and 1" long pieces
3. Heat Olive Oil in pan {I use a cast iron pan} - add tofu, turning frequently until tofu
    turns golden
4. While tofu is in the pan, cut the tomatoes into 1/4" thick slices.
5. Once tofu is ready, and cooled off a little assemble the Caprese Salad by layering:
    - Slice of tomato, a basil leaf, tofu, repeat....
6. Sprinkle with salt, and pepper.  Drizzle with a good amount of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
7. Cover and let the flavors absorb at room temperature for at least one hour before serving
8. Before serving you can add chopped fresh basil, adjust salt as well as pepper and drizzle with
    balsamic reduction

Serve with crusty bread!

Tofu in the pan

Vegan Caprese Salad - right after "assembly"

Vegan Caprese Salad - ready to be served

Now before you go out and enjoy your Labor Day Cookout be sure to check out what the other #SundaySupper participants are bringing to the cookout

Labor Day Cookout Recipes:

Starters & Snacks

• Lobster Salad with Avocado, Corn and Tomatoes by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
• Grilled Vegetable Spread by Magnolia Days
• Toast Topper #8: Tomato Confit for #SundaySupper by Yummy Smells
• Honey BBQ Wings and Cool Ranch by Big Bears Wife
• Finger Lickin’ Chicken Drumettes by Noshing with the Nolands 

Main Dishes

• Baked Shrimp and Pasta Caprese by Mama’s Blissful Bites
• Korean chili by Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
• Newfangled Cowtown White Chicken Chili by Shockingly Delicious
• Strawberry BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches by The Weekend Gourmet
• Spicy Seoulful Pulled Pork Sandwiches by Kimchi Mom
• Smoked Pork Butt (A How-To) from Juanita’s Cocina
• Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs by The Messy Baker Blog
• Stuffed Green Chili con Queso Cheeseburger Sliders by Damn Delicious
• Adana kebab by Small Wallet, Big Appetite
• Portabello Paninis by The Hand That Rocks the Ladle
• Bloody Mary Skirt Steak by From Fast Food to Fresh Food
• Tuna and Roasted Pepper Packets by Cindy’s Recipes & Writings
• Mint Marinated Beef Kabobs with Garlic Sauce by Sustainable Dad
• Creamy Latin Style Pasta by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
• Spicy Portuguese Style Sliders by Daily Dish Recipes
• Aromatic Glazed Salmon by Happy Baking Days
• Pork sliders by Basic ‘N Delicious
• Foil Packet Chicken by In the Kitchen with Audrey

Salads & Sides

• Mom’s Savory Pork’n’Beans by Webicurean
• Ranch Potato Salad by My Catholic Kitchen
• Gluten Free Penne hot salad with basil, asparagus, cherry tomatoes fresh mozzarella and chicken with a mustard vineagarete for #SundaySupper by Cooking Underwriter
• Southern Surprise Potato Salad by Granny’s Down Home Southern Cooking
• #SundaySupper Marinated Ginger Chicken & Spinach Salad by Kwistin’s Favorites
• Roasted Potato & Corn Salad w/ Bacon by GirliChef
• Vegan Caprese Salad by Galactosemia in PDX
• Picnic Friendly Grilled Vegetable Salad by Mama Mommy Mom
• Smokin Hot Caribbean Spiced Corn-On-The-Cob by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• Potato salad with Stilton and bacon by Tora’s Real Food
• Tomato Feta Orzo Salad by Family Foodie 

Drinks

• Frozen Sangria by Supper For a Steal
• Persian mint & cucumber cooler (sekanjabeen) by Family Spice

Desserts

• lightened lemon pound cake by The Meltaways
• Root Beer Float Cupcakes by Chocolate Moosey
• Strawberry Cream Squares by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
• Fresh Mango Pie by La Cocina De Leslie
• Brown Butter M&M Cookies by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Gluten Free Lemon Blondies by No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
• Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Coffee Cake by Baker Street
• Strawberry Pie + White Sangria by Vintage Kitchen Notes
• Grilled Banana Splits by Diabetic Foodie
• Easy Desserts: Frozen Chocolate Bananas by Home Cooking Memories 
• Ice Cream Sandwich Cake by Comfy Cuisine
• Blueberry Lemon Whoopie Pies for a Holiday Cookout #SundaySupper by In the Kitchen with KP

Wine Pairings

• Labor Day Cookout Food And Wine Pairings by ENOFYLZ

Oh, and can also join today's #SundaySupper cookout for a Twitter chat at 7 p.m. EST, by following the #SundaySupper hashtag, or you can also follow through TweetChat.