Tofu DeLight!

This is the best tofu dish I have ever had and if you claim to HATE tofu prepared in ANY way than I challenge you to try this recipe before throwing in the Tofu-Towel. This recipe has been passed along to me by my sister who acquired it from a friend, a good friend at that. Though I’ve always been open to trying tofu I had never been thoroughly convinced that it was actually worth consuming… In fact, when I think of tofu I often think of a dinner out with a dear friend and her husband – Someone at our table had ordered a tofu dish and the curious husband asked to try it. He popped it in his mouth, rolled it around a bit and then announced, “Its good! It tastes like a sponge!”  

And here’s the recipe that put tofu on the map:

1 cube (16 0z) Firm or Extra Firm Tofu

1 cup rice wine vinegar

1 cup soy sauce

½ cup sesame seed oil

4 cloves of garlic (crushed)

Dash of sherry

Just about ½ cup fresh grated ginger root (if you don’t use it all you can freeze it)

2 tbsp sugar (you can use white, brown or both- I usually combine)

1 - 2 tbsp chili garlic sauce (depending on how hot you want it)

Small handful of sesame seeds

Seasonings: Pepper, Onion, Garlic, Ginger Powder (if desired – according to taste) 

First: Cube tofu into bite size pieces (that of course depends on how BIG your mouth is) and boil for ten minutes. 

Second: While tofu is boiling prepare the dressing/sauce/marinade (call it what you will). Combine Rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, crushed garlic, sherry, fresh ginger, sugar and chili garlic sauce. Mix well.

Third: Once tofu is boiled, drain it, transfer it into a bowl and pour the mixture over it so the tofu is completely submerged. Place marinating tofu and refrigerate for at least 30 min. The colder the better I say!

Fourth:  Cook three cups of instant brown rice or regular brown rice. This should still be warm when you serve it. 

Fifth:  Prepare your salad – you can use mixed greens, spinach, romaine… Add celery, carrots (one of my favorites –shredded) and anything else that you think might add to the flavor. However, I warn you – the beauty of this dish is its simplicity combined with the intense flavors in marinade, so KISS (keep it simple stupid – As stated in The Office).

   

Finally: Lay greens first, a scoop of rice on top and cover it all with the tofu and marinade. I’m a dressing fanatic so I drown my greens and rice! Also, there isn't a picture of the final product because I got excited and ate it before I thought of taking one.  

 As you’ve probably noticed I’m not a big measuring fiend, much to the frustration of many of my precise –measuring friends, hence the “handful” and “just about” statements. So feel free to adjust the recipe- I know I did!

Enjoy-