Vegan Rösti with smoked tofu Speck (bacon)

If I would be asked to pick one favorite Swiss dish then definitely Rösti would be that dish. I’ve fallen in love with it since day one of moving to Switzerland. This crispy wholesome goodness has been one of my favorite comfort foods ever since. There is something special about a good Rösti after a long hike or skiing day in Switzerland, its almost like a tradition now.

But what is Rösti? Rösti is a kind of potato cake served as a main course or side dish. The crispy and golden brown Rösti, in its different variations and additions, is a classic of Swiss cuisine. It was originally considered a typical farmer's breakfast in German-speaking Switzerland. As a specialty from the German-speaking part of the country, rösti also lends its name to the Röstigraben, the cultural and linguistic 'trench' between French and German-speaking Switzerland.

Traditionally Rösti is made with a lot of butter and some variations are adding cheese, onions and bacon.

As a vegan I was on a mission to create the perfect Rösti recipe that is following traditional technique but in the same time is nourishing without the excess fat.

Are you ready for a nourishing plant-based twist on this classic Swiss dish? Then this Vegan Swiss Rösti with smoked tofu Speck (bacon) recipe is exactly what you need.

List of ingredients for this crispy vegan Rösti

• 100 g Smoked Tofu
• 600 g Cooked and peeled potatoes Charlotte or Amandine type (15 to 20 potatoes depending on how big they are)
• 1 tbsp Nutritional yeast
• ½ tsp Salt
• ½ tsp Black pepper
• 20 g Vegan butter

Step by step instructions

Boiling the potatoes

1. In a large pan bring two litters of water to a boil
2. When the water is boiling add the potatoes. I recommend using Charlotte or Amandine potatoes type (see photo). Or just look for Raclette potatoes if type is not specified.
3. Boil the potatoes for 8 minutes. The potatoes should not be entirely cooked. When you try them with a fork this should not enter very easy
4. Drain the potatoes using a colander and then let these cool down
5. Store the potatoes in the fridge overnight (do not skip this step).

Prepare the smoked tofu

1. Unpack the tofu and press to remove extra liquid
2. Shred the tofu using Slicer/shredder disc of the food processor. Alternatively you can use a box grater. In both cases I recommend using the large holes side
3. Add the shredded tofu to a non stick pan and lightly roast it to eliminate extra moisture till slightly golden but not entirely cooked

Preparing the Vegan Rösti the next day

1. Peel the potatoes with a vegetable peeler
2. Grate the potatoes using the Slicer/shredder disc of the food processor. Alternatively you can use a box grater. In both cases I recommend using the large holes side
3. Mix shredded potatoes and smoked tofu together with rest of the spices: salt, black pepper and nutritional yeast evenly spread till well combined. I like to use a sheet of parchment paper for this step to make sure are well combined.
4. Heat a non stick pan on the stove and add 10g of the vegan butter
5. When completed melted and start to sizzle add the mixture of tofu, potatoes and spices in
6. Press into a flattish cake shape with a spatula, then leave to cook undisturbed over low to medium heat for approx. 14 minutes
7. Lay a flat plate upside-down over the frying pan and flip the rösti over onto the plate
8.  Add a the remaining 10g of butter to the pan and slide the rösti back in
9. Finish cooking the underside for another 12 minutes

Enjoy it as main dish with a green salad or as a side

Note

I recommend using Charlotte or Amandine potatoes type. Or just look for Raclette potatoes if type is not specified. I know many recipes on the internet say the type of potatoes does not matter but I got this tip from a Swiss chef so just trust me on this one. Store the potatoes in the fridge overnight (do not skip this step).Allowing the potatoes to cool helps them firm up, preventing them from breaking apart when you mix them with other ingredients and helps with flavor absorption from the spices and smoked tofu.

Enjoy!

Questions you might have

If you love this crispy Vegan Rösti with smoked tofu Speck give it a rating and review below! And of course, tag me for the remake on Instagram

#rico