I Tried The Viral Vegan Tofu Pastrami

[@MerleONeal]

Use MERLE to get 55% off your first month at Scentbird sbird.co/3NXlBXK

[@MsBeckly]

Seems like a fun way to try out fragrances. Do they allow you to filter by vegan and cruelty free? Or do you have to research and then tell them which ones you want? I can’t find this info

[@Megumii22]

Whenever Merle says, “I’m going to do it my way”, I get so excited! Like, yes! Merle’s Method™️

[@JJ-ec9lp]

Asian grocery stores often sell thinly sliced sheets of tofu, which is great for vegan deli meats!

[@MerleONeal]

oh damnnnn gotta check it out

[@summerjoy1352]

I have some of those in my fridge and I'm going to try this recipe with them.

[@kelseymylinh]

You look so stunning today! The makeup, the colors, the fit, everything is so cohesive and suits you so well!

[@MerleONeal]

bless ya

[@leareed3749]

Liquid smoke is everything! I'm glad you decided to add it near the end. I use it in my savory dishes if I want to reaaaaallly enhance the umami flavor of things. It doesn't just add a smokiness to things... to ME, it makes any dish suddenly taste & smell like meat lol. Specifically, pork. I made a stew the other night and added less than a Tsp. of it and I swear it smelled like it had meat in it hahaha.

[@sumiaktar9542]

Not a vegan but as someone with religious dietary requirements for meat I love seeing how popular recipes can be veganised and adapted without compromising on flavour ❤

[@nataneedits]

Your hair looks absolutely gorgeous!!!

[@justin_g_smith]

That transition into the sponsor was beyond smooth! Still recovering from that walk btw

[@compassioncucumbersveganpod]

Wow! That second marinade did the trick! Looks so good!😋

[@MerleONeal]

it was shockingly convincing!

[@KCon81]

This looks amazing and also I LOVE LOVE LOVE YOUR HAIR!!! I have been thinking about going shorter so I might take a pic of you in for inspo!

[@katyfaise]

this haircut merle!!! so GOOD!

[@MerleONeal]

Thank you!!!!

[@AmonarayIsalay]

I love cooking for my vegan and vegetarian friends. I love to make food as my love language. It is always a welcome challenge to make delicious vegan food that everyone would enjoy eating. I’m hoping there are more folks like me out there.

[@MerleONeal]

i love your attitude!

[@kimmurray9346]

You have no idea how badly I want that sandwich right neeoooww! It’s lunchtime Merle! ❤

[@MerleONeal]

😈

[@Nikki-rx8ri]

The end result looked so goooood omg

[@MerleONeal]

Nikki it was unreal!

[@alwinjoseph8413]

Merle you’re just so down to earth, I love it!!!

[@nicktheavatar_]

Great video again Merle 👏🏻 let’s have more Justin on these videos too. I’ve always loved your dynamic with other people as you cook (like you and Arya in the Goodful days!)

[@VerhoevenSimon]

Thank you for trying out that recipe, and tinkering with it!

[@stardustlipstickhorror]

This is exciting! I've seen this one before and I want to try it!! I miss having a ruben, so this'll be nice.

[@taleiajennings]

Merle came back looking like she took that thanksgiving “ walk 💨"

[@tamcon72]

I am gonna try this for tofu corned beef! Thanks so much for posting this!

[@JubeiKibagamiFez]

8:55 Yes and YES! Get that tofu dry and thirsty and it soaks that marinade like a sponge in the desert sun.

[@ShuklaAayushi]

I rarely see good and light vegan dips. Would love to see you try some. Also, the tofu is so firm! All the ones I bought till now never hold their shape. It always crumbles and falls apart. Loving all the content in the new space ❤

[@biancaneves3346]

You should try the tzatziki from "It doesn't taste like chicken"! 😊

[@awesomerandomer1999]

You should freeze your tofu, it helps make it so much firmer and hold it together

[@ShuklaAayushi]

Heyooo the hair omg 😍 looking fabulous! Now lemme get back to the video.

[@willcookmakeup]

Bahaha I am a TJs crew member and it's always so funny when I see our products in cooking videos. This looks so good, awesome video as always :)) #YaGirlMerleOrBust

[@MS-hs1ew]

This hairstyle is so good on you!!

[@madmudd96]

My favorite part of the grocery shopping w my mom was running up to the deli counter to get my slice of cheese ☺️

[@leannakekai162]

This looks interesting! I wonder how it would turn out if you used all the same ingredients in the marinade as the liquid in a lentil “meat.”The color and flavors would be all in there and it would stay more moist. In case anyone wants to try it you can learn how to make lentil “meat” from Recetas de Gri here on KZbin. I think she calls it her gluten free seitan and she has English subtitles.

[@magpie4224]

Great recipe (your tweaks were perfect). I had yuba (tofu skin) and used that instead of regular tofu. 🤯 It was very tasty.

[@jennybushnell9995]

Thanks have been totally missing this!

[@fotimaibrokhim7466]

the new haircut is GIVING! love it

[@Unmasking_Viandalisme]

Funny, as ever! An old/ancient, UK comedy show included the catchphrase "You are naughty.. but I like you!" Modifying, for you "You're nuts.. but we like you!"

[@1998tkhri]

Wow I need to do this! Part of me also wants to experiment with seitan so the marinade can be mixed right in, but that looks so good as is

[@SauceStache]

Boom yeah your method come out looking great!! I need to try this!!!!

[@MerleONeal]

yes you doooooo!!!

[@BloosSelfReliance]

ahhh fur babies always letting you know you aren't giving them the attention they want right now lol Love this and love it more because there are no weird ingredients xox

[@sarah7948vis]

Off topic - you look amazing! This hair, makeup and top really suits you❤️‍🔥

[@josedelosangelescaballerom6753]

hey merle great video as usual, the hair is slaying btw 🤩

[@kiansnow6591]

I mean did she slay that recipe or did she just slay!

[@wonderfullotta3]

I made seitan-pastrami before and it was delicious! but i guess a little bit more work than marinating tofu and baking it... but definetly worth it 😍

[@SamwiseOutdoors]

Grizzled detective: "the victim was bludgeoned to death with a frozen block of extra firm tofu. The Mad Tofuer strikes again."

[@michelewillems7538]

the second patch is definitely better. Love your new hairdo beautiful as always.

[@MerleONeal]

thanks for the love!

[@ushere5791]

your end recipe looks amazing! where do i get a copy to print and put in my recipe file?

[@SikanderG]

I can't really explain how happy good vegan cooking makes me.

[@mz3princess148]

Loved it!! Your version of this vegan pastrami came out amazing. Great job beating Katz 😂💪🏽

[@AllShellBreaksLoose]

Dammmnnn gurl! Nailed it! Your version looks amazing! I🎉

[@MerleONeal]

Thank you!!!

[@sandrodellisanti1139]

Very delicious ❤️ many greetings from a Veggie from Brunswick in Germany and please stay safe 🙂

[@scispiracy]

Woman, what are you doing? You look fabulous! Your hair color rocks. And shame on those who vilify vegans. We rock!!

[@DianeH2038]

I'll try this; thank you!

[@gayfield420]

them basically bragging that they had to kill an animal to make a mediocre looking slab of flesh look good for a picture.

[@traciechakraborty3829]

for super thin slices a serated or bread knife works best

[@MerleONeal]

this is v smart

[@KennyGeez]

Love you haircut!

[@falltowinter]

I hate the "How can you tell if someone's vegan? They'll tell you!" joke, and I'm not even vegan (I'm just pescatarian). But you know why people who don't eat meat, or have allergies or intolerances towards foods talk about it a bunch? We're a social people and a large part of being social is eating together and people get REAL weird to you REAL quick when you're the one person bringing their own snacks to the get together and not eating any of the group's food - or the only person having to ask the server at the restaurant a bunch of questions. We have to self identify to avoid people doing the, "omg, why didn't you say anything? we don't have anything for you, I feel so bad." But when you do try to casually self identify before things get awkward, or remind people of your dietary things, they're like, "ugh, is that all you talk about? We can't be expected to accommodate you all the time."

[@Dedicated_Editor]

Excited to try this, but I can't find what you added when you went back to do it "your way." Can you share the ingredients and the amounts? Thanks so much, Merle!

[@cookinthekitchen]

That turned out so well...the second time, I must say your a bit of a genius

[@MerleONeal]

you're too kind

[@MG-pj2oo]

Nothing like a huge renowned business choosing to *brag* about their affinity for animal murder. How charming.

[@jodiesummers886]

Love your new haircut ✂️

[@shannonfauwkes9941]

I have a very sad brick of extra firm tofu in the freezer and all of the marinade ingredients, so this might be dinner this weekend. Might add Vegemite for the umami kick.

[@retired_man_about_town]

love this!

[@raaason]

Merle, would LOVE for you to do a video making vegan burrata cheese, and then maybe comparing it to the one you can in store (I’ve seen a vegan burrata at Whole Foods for sure)

[@driverjayne]

Nobody is as pushy and judgemental as meat eaters. 99.999% of vegans I know only bring up that they're vegan if they're directly asked or if food preparation is being done. Meat eaters will start aggressively being anti vegan for no reason at any time. It's like they have to constantly defend themselves TO themselves.

[@mavel2038]

Nah there is obnoxious and over the top people on both sides. Seems like they just wanted attention.

[@jennakelly7830]

While I do think the post that Katz’s made was stupid and incredibly hating on vegans for sure, im a meat eater and I can say with confidence that none of my meat eating friends are judgemental towards vegans. I would never try to push my food values onto vegans cause that is not my place. By making your comment, you are kind of placing all meat eaters into a box. I’ve had dinner parties and if anyone is coming that is vegan/vegetarian, I always make substitutes for them (and not just the veggie sides, direct vegan substitutes of whatever I make for my meat eaters). That being said, I’m sure there are judgey meat eaters out there (like Katz’s) and judgey vegans out there as well. If people just stopped judging and hating and let everyone mind their own business, the world would be a better place.

[@JubeiKibagamiFez]

That's a perfect description of anti vegans... And they always bring up the bible, too, even if they're not religious.

[@jennakelly7830]

@@JubeiKibagamiFez dude I’m sorry, you clearly don’t know any non judgemental meat eaters. You come to my house, I’ll cook you some good vegan food and I’ll probably eat it too (except chickpeas, lentils or peanuts cause I’m allergic to all those things). I’m not gonna sit and tell you why you should eat meat, even though I do eat meat. And I’m indigenous…I’m certainly not gonna bring up the bible to you. And I’ve never met a judgey vegan either. If everyone stopped being judgemental, minded their own business, and respected everyone’s choices, the world would be a better place. So maybe we just all need to open our minds and not put people in boxes, cause the world is full of good respectful people along with the judgemental ass holes.

[@jungtothehuimang]

I have several people in my life who get really dismissive and rude when I bring my vegan food to gatherings. Like I never complain about them eating meat. But if I bring meat alternatives around I get told it looks disgusting. I swear to God meat eaters make hating vegan food 90% of their personalities it's so annoying. They think they are being super edgy and cool but they're just being rude as hell. I'm so sick of it. Meat alternatives have existed for thousands of years. Chinese people were eating seitan 1500 years ago.

[@JackieG0985]

Oh even had the nice char look on the sides like pastrami

[@AlliandoX]

you look really pretty today merle!!

[@lnicole3175]

LOVE the hair!

[@dandles2010]

But ... how about Merle's new hair? Looks amazing.

[@MerleONeal]

omg thank you

[@waldllwyn139]

Question? If over cooking them till dry and then tossing them back into the marinade made the trader Joe's extra firm tofu absorbent?

[@MrMcBeardsly]

Please do a "seafood" rank video!

[@MerleONeal]

im scarrrrred

[@charliebrown1184]

I got a vegan shrimp (prawn) sandwich a while ago that was so good and so convincing that it blew me away, it's definitely worth a look into the vegan seafood world!

[@mynvision]

I'm not keen on going to an overhyped tourist trap where staff yell at you, no matter how much of a NY institution it is. I kind of wanted to go when relatives of mine had gone and liked it, but no matter how much I love pastrami, I don't like this kind of meanness, either. It was very much unnecessary. The current owner sounds like a complete tool. I've been to excellent places that serve pastrami sandwiches in the Bay Area. There was a place called Saul's in the East Bay, that has since closed, but they were such a quintessential Jewish deli. Yay for freezing the tofu! This is the perfect method for getting the water out faster, and it does change the texture of the tofu as well, making it "meatier". Love doing this for Japanese tofu patties (ganmodoki).

[@MerleONeal]

I didn't know they had a rep for mean staff! I definitely like the idea of using the Japanese tofu patties

[@mynvision]

@@MerleONeal I've just heard that they are very particular about their "rules", and tourists who make mistakes because they didn't really know the "rules" have experienced some less than stellar treatment. I sometimes buy frozen tofu patties at our local Japanese store, because it's quick and easy to just throw it in soup or with ramen. But I don't know if it's fully vegan or just vegetarian, since it might contain egg.

[@anwiel]

It is almost midnight here, it was mistake to watch this video 😅 now I am eating simple sandwich 😄 I honestly never had pastrami but I would definitely try this one, it is just tofu with good marinade. And liquid smoke is amazing!

[@MerleONeal]

Hope you enjoy

[@nunyabizz50]

Dang Merle, looking good today, you need to buy 7 colors of that top and wear one everyday. maybe an addition of a little oil in the marinade, roast it like you did, then take it and put in a pan and pour the marinade on it and poach it in the marinade until the marinade is mostly gone and soaked in. Then put it on rye with sauerkraut and dijon

[@MerleONeal]

funnily enough, i own 2 different colors of this shirt. I'll look into the other 5 this weekend

[@Ewonder78]

Loving the new haircut, dont know if its new, but screw it, i love it.

[@MerleONeal]

it is!! and thank you so much

[@desireefussman2099]

Omg I’ve never been so early for anything in my life 😂❤

[@MerleONeal]

prouda u

[@Skyrippa-jq7hn]

Merle can you please try a vegan pot pie either “chicken” or “ turkey” I think it would make a great recipe for pot pie vegan lovers

[@katielouise210]

merle you look like a hot mum from a 90s sitcom in this video and you’re absolutely killing it

[@toeknee1505]

Mmmmmm..... I have to buy Trader Joe's Super Firm Tofu!!!!! 👍👍👍👍👍 Thanks for the video, Merle. Was I hearing a ghost at the end of the video? 🤔

[@jourdanhamme4065]

Your lipstick is lovely Merle :)

[@annasulina]

Can't get over how beautiful you look, those colours on you - chef's kiss❤

[@ViktorNova]

Doesn't pastrami classically have a coating of black pepper all around the edges? I'm trying this recipe

[@T___27]

Uhhh looking fresh and healthy 🥰🥰🥰

[@jennlarkins5590]

It's insane how much shit I get for being vegan...and I rarely even talk about it!! People ( coworkers have sought me while I'm eating lunch just to argue about what I'm eating. But I've thought a lot about this and I've come to the conclusion that for most (not all) of these crazy vegan haters, that it's a matter of projection. It's a projection of subconscious guilt. They're guilty of being ignorant, of being in denial of the fact that their everyday diet is super abusive and tragic to animals... a kingdom of beings that we should be kind to & caring for as humans. Ntm our planet.

[@candicechruscial8885]

Great job!!!! 👏

[@ramenbabeh]

I wish you would've tried the second one by itself bc of course it'll taste better in a sandwich with other things

[@Jo-fw9hm]

That’s the most perfect haircut for you ! 💕

[@Bossman-mu6qe]

Awesome for the recipe, sure gonna try this! Wonder how this would work with nasoya's super firm.

[@MerleONeal]

I'm excited for you to try it, it's a keeper for sure

[@shawnmartin7500]

Like the new 'do!

[@MerleONeal]

thank you!!!

[@nellier3468]

Looks great❤

[@anaberri]

tofu>>>>

[@tiredapplestar]

Now I want someone to make a horror movie where they use frozen tofu as their weapon. lol! The Soy Slayer or The Twisted Tofu Killer…from outer space!

[@MerleONeal]

LMAO YES the soy slasher!

[@mohammedmustafa929]

Sorry this is off topic I was wondering how your quitting vaping going?

[@MerleONeal]

still staying strong!!

[@tsshsch]

You look gorgeous!!

[@Truecrimeresearcher224]

Interesting never thought of using tofu like this

[@mannyv2793]

Yooooooo the second version looks so meaty congrats!!!

[@MerleONeal]

thank you!!!

[@bspotus]

Shout out to Stop and Shop!

[@MerleONeal]

u know it!

[@faitheasley4348]

My gawd Merle you are looking extra good 🔥

[@radhikam6878]

Can we get a video of just bloopers? 🤍😁

[@MerleONeal]

you'll never look at me the same again lol

[@tammi67able]

Looks delicious, I really want to try this but I loathe beets, Can you taste the beets?

[@MerleONeal]

I couldnt really taste them bc of all the other strong flavors BUT i think you could use a teeeny amount and get strong color with almost no flavor or use beet powder!

[@bunkertons]

Merle, young lady, that hair looks stunning on you! ❤

[@MerleONeal]

thank you so much!

[@sunny5ma]

Oooh our vegan queen is finally baaack!!! I've missed you!! 💖🥰💖🤞💖🤞

[@hasitdawnedonyou]

I just had a plain cream cheese sandwich and damn I wish I have that right now

[@parismoon2130]

I’m a meat eater but giiiiiirl!!! Tht looks so good!! I didn’t think it looked like pastrami, I thought it was straight up brisket!

[@MerleONeal]

it DOES look like brisket!!!

[@pepperh.6775]

hey hey Merle. Please try the walnut-meat tacos.

[@MerleONeal]

👀

[@pepperh.6775]

@@MerleONeal Turnipvegan has a great version of it slow cooked. 😎

[@liquidangel3731]

No pepper on the crust of the pastrami?

[@BrokenEvil]

yeah definitely missing the pepper crust