Peanut-Ginger Tofu Scramble

Ask anyone who’s lived in Burlington, Vermont, if they’ve eaten at Penny Cluse and you’re more than likely to be met with an enthusiastic, “Yes! I loved Penny Cluse.” The popular breakfast restaurant first opened its doors in 1998 and became a mainstay in the city. It was known for dishes like its biscuits and herb gravy, vegetarian Reuben and bucket of spuds, a pile of grilled potatoes loaded with melted cheese, scallions and salsa and topped with a dollop of sour cream. Although the restaurant ceased operations in 2022, its legacy is not forgotten by Penelope Wall, EatingWell’s assistant general manager, who likes to re-create her favorite dish from the menu, the tofu scramble. 

Diners at Penny Cluse could choose which sauces and accompaniments they wanted on the famous tofu scramble, and Wall would always get the peanut-ginger sauce and add avocado and cilantro. Perfect for breakfast with a corn muffin or a slice of whole-wheat toast, the Tofu Scramble with Peanut-Ginger Sauce and Avocado is also an “all-day kind of dish,” as Wall describes it. Pair it with a cucumber salad for an easy lunch, or serve it over rice or noodles for dinner. 

Wall, who had been going to the restaurant since she was a kid, says, “I think what I love about this dish and why I would always order it above anything else is it’s really quite unique—at least, I never went to any other restaurant where you could get a tofu scramble with peanut-ginger sauce.” 

Although Wall can no longer go to Penny Cluse, she keeps the flavors and memories of her meals there alive in her own kitchen. And now you can try the popular dish for yourself too.