Smoked tofu with lentils and cavolo nero

Smoked tofu with lentils and cavolo nero

What’s more wintry - or more comforting - than hearty lentils? Stir through vitamin-rich cavolo nero, then top with toasted hazelnuts, smoked tofu and porcini mushrooms for a decadent Italian inspired dish.

Prep in 10 High protein 7 plants Low sat fat

Serving size

Cook time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Food group: Vegan
Allergens: Soya, Celery, Nuts

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Cooking Instructions

The protein cooking time listed in this recipe has been updated.

As of December 2025, we’ve revised cooking times for all our proteins to reflect improved food safety guidance.

Check out the latest recommended times in our Cooking Guidelines.

  1. Boil a kettle. Place the lentils in a saucepan and cover with lightly salted boiling water. Simmer for 10 mins, until softened, then drain.
  2. Meanwhile, dissolve the stock cube in a jug with 500ml boiling water. Add the dried mushrooms and leave to infuse. Finely dice the shallot and carrot. Heat a medium frying pan with 1 tbsp oil on a medium heat and cook the veg for 6-8 mins, stirring occasionally, until softened. Meanwhile, finely dice or crush the garlic and add to the pan for another 2 mins.
  3. Add the cavolo nero to the pan along with the sultanas, lentils and stock. Simmer for 5 mins, then add the tomatoes and cook for a final 8-10 mins, until only a little liquid is left and the lentils are soft. Season with sea salt and black pepper.
  4. Roughly chop the hazelnuts. Quarter the mushrooms. Drain the tofu and pat dry with paper towel; tear into uneven pieces. Heat a large frying pan with 2 tbsp oil on a high heat and cook the tofu and mushrooms for 3-4 mins, turning occasionally. Add the hazelnuts and fry for another 2-3 mins, until the tofu is golden brown all over. Season with a pinch of sea salt, then remove the pan from the heat.
  5. Roughly chop the parsley. Stir half the parsley through the lentils just before serving. Serve the lentils topped with the tofu. Garnish with the remaining parsley.

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