4.27.10 Jamaican Jerk Tempeh Wraps
I have heard a few people recently claiming that they don’t like tempeh, and they don’t know how anyone could. Well I am here to tell you I like tempeh. In fact, I really, really like it. I would say love, but I usually reserve that word for things that are filled with chocolate. However, my thoughts with enjoying tempeh are the same as enjoying tofu—it needs to be marinated, and it needs to be cooked ‘til browned. Simple enough.
So I implore you, tempeh-haters, give it another try. Marinate away and then brown the heck out of those edges so it resembles a crunchy home fry, instead of a dense bowl of white rice. Like most foods, it’s all in the preparation. I cannot imagine not knowing the wonderful flavor of beets or radish, both of which I nearly gave up on after an ill fated run-in. Without determination (Stupidity? A brave palate?), my world would be filled with a little less pleasure.
Jamaican Jerk Tempeh Wraps
serves 4
1/2 c fresh orange juice
1/2 c white vinegar
1/4 c olive oil
1/8 c soy sauce
1 T Worcestershire sauce
1 T brown sugar
1 T allspice
1 t salt
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
1 T fresh ginger, minced (or 1 t ground ginger)
3 t fresh thyme leaves
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
4 scallions, chopped
8 oz tempeh*, cut in half widthwise and then into 1/2" x 2” strips
4 whole-wheat wraps
2 c chopped lettuce/vegetables (carrots, radish, etc)
In a glass baking dish, combine all ingredients from orange juice through scallions. Stir well and add in tempeh strips, in a single layer. Place in fridge and marinate 20-30 minutes.
Heat a large sauté pan, over medium-high. Add tempeh, in a single layer, and most of the scallions, reserving marinade. Cook 10-12 minutes, flipping tempeh (or shaking pan) every few minutes, until (golden) brown on all sides.
To assemble, top each wrap with 1/2 c lettuce/vegetables, 4-6 strips of tempeh and a few T of reserved marinade. Roll up wrap from one side, and cut in half.
*I use Lightlife Organic Three Grain
Reader Comments (26)
What a great recipe. Once again, your writing is so much fun and the photographs are just stunning!
Gorgeous photos, as always! I've only tried tempeh once at a restaurant that didn't prepare it very well. This looks wonderful and full of flavour. I'm definitely going to give tempeh another try!
I am determined to like tempeh but I haven't had any luck so far! Primarily I'm interested in the locally made tempeh at Harvest Co-op. Maybe this will be the recipe to convert me to a tempeh lover!
Well done, really, thanks for spreading the tempeh love!
oh this look so delicious Erin! I wouldnt call myself a "tempeh hater" but I must admit tempeh intimidates me :) You make it sound and look so delicious though so perhaps I should give this dish a try!
I love me some Jamacian Jerk. I can't wait to try this. Your pictures are always beautiful. Love that I found this blog!
Gorgeous!! Have still never made tempeh at home, but bookmarking this one to give it a try! :)
I don't care if it's tempeh, tofu or your socks...that looks delicious and I would like to eat it...now. Although, I'm going to be very frank and say that I would eat meat substitutes more often but they make me a little, dare I say...gassy. Ah...can't believe I said that word on a food blog, gross right? TMI, TMI...sorry. I promise never to bring it up again!
I'd suffer for this recipe, though. Looks amazing:)
I'm with you - I love the stuff, but it needs to be treated with love, kindness, and a good marinade and some heat. What a great way to eat it! I would not have thought of serving it this way, but - like just about everything you make - I'm sure it's delicious.
Yipeee wraps!! I've been having craving for wraps these days! This looks so yummie and i will try it out over the weekend! Have a lovely merry happy day and love to yoU!
you've totally inspired me to eat more tempeh, erin! i haven't come across many creative recipes for it.
It took me a little while to warm up to tempeh but now I love it, and happen to have some in the fridge that I'm excited to use in this recipe! Do you have any recommendations for making the whole wheat wraps from scratch?
Hi Cate! I have never tried to make the wraps from scratch. In fact, I never even thought of it! Pita bread, yes, but wraps seem so delicate for my clumsy touch! If you try your hand at it, let me know!
And Danielle, yes that was TMI, but your comments always crack me up anyhow :) Haha!
Still looking for a supplier of tempeh. Your wraps looked really, really good. I don't think anyone could ever resist that.
I'm so excited you posted this recipe! Several years ago I ate the most incredible jerk tofu wrap, and I've never been able to recreate it. Now I'm inspired!
oxo
We made this last night for a houseful, doubling the recipe, excellent, thanks so much! This meal is going into the rotation! thanks again mary
Sooo scrumptious... I could eat this now...mmm... Happy Days, Erin :o)
Hi Erin, I like tempeh and this recipe looks so good! You mentioned something very important: determination...this is the word that I needed today and that I always have to keep in mind:)) Bye Sabrina
I've never tried tempeh but I always plan to... in fact I've had tempeh in my freezer for over a year. I like the sound of browning up the tempeh so they're more like home fries. This wrap looks amazing!
I cooked these with my girlfriend. I forgot to buy the Worcestershire sauce at the store so I just used the equivalent measurement with Braggs Amino Acids. Tasted fantastic and was so easy to make. I actually used the sauce as a salad dressing the next day.
Thanks for the great recipe!
-George
I would love to come for dinner at your house, Erin. Your recipes look so healthy and tasty. :)
I finally made these warps and they are delicious! I think i am might just make them againt this weekend! Thanks so much for sharing! Hope you are having a good week so far and love to you!
This was delicious. It was my first time trying tempeh, and I loved it! The marinade is really good. I saved some extra and used it as a salad dressing. Great recipe and easy too!
I've never tried jerk seasoned anything before but after reading the ingredients and realizing I like all the individual items, I figured I would give it a try. I'm always looking for new ways to serve tempeh besides in stir frys. It was certainly easy enough to make and had a lot of flavor.
I don't understand the tempeh hate. I have been really lucky with every tempeh recipe I've made. We really liked the wraps - nice flavours! Thanks for sharing. :)
I finally posted them on my blog here: http://tastespace.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/jamaican-jerk-tempeh-wraps