Did you know that high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels can increase your risk for heart disease?

One way to help keep your cholesterol levels in check is to add more plant-based foods in your diet.

Click below to watch Rupa Patil, MD, a cardiologist with the NorthShore Cardiovascular Institute, cook Tofu Scramble, a plant-based take on scrambled eggs.

TOFU SCRAMBLE

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp black pepper, divided
• 1 tsp garlic powder, divided
• ½ tsp. turmeric
• ¼ cup diced onions
• ¼ cup black beans
• Jalapenos – if you want spice
• Extra firm tofu – one package
• 1 cup cashews
• ¼ cup nutritional yeast, nacho cheese flavor, plus 1 to 2 tbsp.

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan. Add ½ tsp. black pepper, ½ tsp. garlic powder and ½ tsp. turmeric. Stir and warm up spices.
2. Add diced onions and black beans. Add jalapenos if you want a spicy scramble. Stir and let vegetables soften.
3. Crumble tofu (make sure you pressed out the water first) into the pan and let it cook for 5 minutes to absorb the flavors of the vegetables and spices.
4. Add Cashew Cheese Sauce. Recipe below. Stir and continue cooking for a few minutes. Add 1 to 2 T. nutritional yeast to the pan.
5. Stir and serve warm.

Cashew Cheese Sauce:

1. Bring one cup of cashews in 3 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and let it soak for 20 minutes.
2. Blend cashews with one cup of hot water in a blender.
3. Add ¼ cup nutritional yeast, nacho cheese flavor
4. Salt to taste