Garlic Thyme Tempeh

This recipe is taken from one of the most amazing vegan chefs ever-- Isa Chandra Moskovitz, from her website, The Post-Punk Kitchen.  This dish requires a bit of planning ahead to marinade-- anywhere in the neighborhood of 1 to 4 hours-- but otherwise is not too labor-intensive.  The tempeh goes great on top of pasta or salads, with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy, or in a sandwich!

Ingredients: 

     8 ounces tempeh
     2 tablespoons soy sauce, tamari, or liquid aminos
     4 cloves garlic, smashed
     1/2 cup vegetable broth
     2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar (or 1 tablespoon regular balsamic)
     3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
     1/4 cup fresh thyme, leaves whole, soft stems roughly chopped
     2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:

Start your steaming apparatus.  Meanwhile, slice up that tempeh.  If the tempeh is in a rectangle, slice it into two squares, and then slice those squares into two thin squares across the middle, like a clamshell.  Now slice each square corner to corner, into triangles.  You should end up with about 8 thin triangles.  

Once the water is boiling in your steaming apparatus, add the tempeh and steam ~ 10 minutes.  

Meanwhile, mix all other ingredients together in a big, flat dish (a glass pie dish is ideal).  When tempeh is done steaming, transfer it directly into the marinade dish, cover, put back in the fridge, and let marinate for 1-4 hours, flipping occasionally if not immersed.  

1 to 4 hours later...  you have two options: 

To grill: Preheat a lightly oiled grill on medium high heat (can be indoor or outdoor).  Cook tempeh for 5 minutes on each side, flipping with a metal spatula, so that it doesn't stick.  Tip: rub the thyme and garlic on each side.  

To broil: Preheat the broiler.  Keeping a close eye, broil the tempeh on a baking sheet placed 2-3 inches away from the flame.  Broil 3 to 5 minuts on each side.  Baste with some of the liquid when you flip.  

Serve immediately.

Recipe credit: Provided by The Post Punk Kitchen at http://www.theppk.com/2010/08/garlicky-thyme-tempeh/print/, author Isa Chandra Moskowitz, 2011.