Maras Tofu With Mixed Grains Recipes

MARA'S TOFU WITH MIXED GRAINS

Steps:

• Rinse and drain rice and quinoa. Cook in a rice cooker with water and salt, or in a heavy-bottomed 2-quart saucepot over medium heat. Cover, and bring to a boil, then reduce to a faint simmer. Cook for 35 to 40 minutes, or until all water has been absorbed.
• Line a baking sheet or large plate with paper towels. Set aside.
• Pat tofu blocks dry, then halve lengthwise. Cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Drizzle 2 tablespoons aminos onto the bottom of a large, shallow glass or ceramic dish, then lay a layer of tofu in it. Drizzle with another 2 tablespoons of aminos, then layer in remaining tofu, and drizzle with remaining aminos. Marinate for 5 minutes, then rotate and flip tofu slices, and tilt dish to coat evenly. Marinate 5 more minutes. Drain away excess aminos.
• Set a 10-inch cast-iron or nonstick pan over high heat. When the pan is hot, add 2 tablespoons coconut oil. Just as oil begins to smoke, carefully lay in pieces of tofu in a single layer, leaving room between each piece.
• Reduce heat to medium high, do not touch the tofu and cook 6 to 7 minutes per side until golden brown. Use a thin metal spatula to carefully flip the pieces. Cook the rest the same way, adding more oil as needed.
• Remove cooked tofu to prepared baking sheet, and allow to drain.
• Use a fork to fluff rice and quinoa. Serve tofu with rice. Garnish with cilantro leaves.

CHINESE MABO TOFU

Steps:

• Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl; set aside.
• Brown ground pork in a small skillet over medium-high heat, about 5 minutes. Drain fat.
• Heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or wok. Cook the garlic and ginger root in the oil until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in tofu and cook for 2 minutes. Season with the soy sauce, hot bean sauce, and sugar; stir to combine.
• Stir in the cooked pork and green onion. Sprinkle with the cornstarch and water mixture; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir the sesame oil into the thickened mabo tofu.

CRISPY TOFU WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Put a large baking sheet on the middle or lower oven rack and preheat to 500 ̊ F. Cut the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise, then halve each piece lengthwise to make 4 long wedges.
• Slice the wedges crosswise and combine in a large bowl with the green beans, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a generous grinding of pepper; toss well. Spread on the hot baking sheet and roast, tossing once, until tender and browned in spots, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cut the tofu into twelve 1 1/2- to 1 3/4-inch cubes. Press with paper towels to absorb some of the moisture; season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and crisp on all sides, about 15 minutes.
• Combine the parsley, chives, lemon zest and a pinch each of salt and pepper in a mini food processor; pulse until chopped (or finely chop by hand). Add the remaining 3 tablespoons
• olive oil and pulse to combine. Scrape into a bowl and stir in the lemon juice and 1 to 2 teaspoons water to make the sauce loose enough to drizzle. Season with salt and pepper.
• Divide the vegetables and tofu among plates. Drizzle with the herb sauce and top with the almonds and more chives.

MARINATED TOFU SANDWICH WITH GREENS

Steps:

• Wrap the slices of tofu in a clean dish towel. Place on a cutting board and set another cutting board on top. Place a can of tomatoes or the equivalent on top of the cutting board to weigh down the board. Leave 20 minutes.
• Mix together the sesame oil, soy sauce, mirin, rice vinegar, ginger and sugar in a wide bowl. Set the pressed tofu in the mixture, turn the slices over and leave to marinate 30 minutes.
• Remove the tofu from the marinade, and pat dry with a paper towel.
• Spread one piece of bread with mustard, and top with a mound of salad greens. Lay the tofu slices over the greens in a single layer. Lay the tomato slices over the tofu in a single layer. Top the tomatoes with the avocado slices. Stir together the mayonnaise and wasabi, and spread over the remaining piece of bread. Top the sandwich, press down firmly, cut in half and serve. Alternately, wrap in plastic, refrigerate and serve later.

TOFU & MIXED VEGETABLE STIR FRY

Steps:

• Put the Shiitaki in a micro wave safe bowl with water to cover.
• Nuke for 22 seconds. Let set for 30 minutes.
• Mix the four marinade ingredients. Add the Tofu. Stir gently to coat.
• When the mushrooms are ready, drain and cut into thin slices the size of your thumb nail. Set aside.
• Heat the wok.
• Toast the Sesame Seeds 'til golden. Set aside.
• Add the Oil to wok. Swirl to coat. Add garlic and Ginger. Stir fry 1 minute.
• Add all the vegetables but snow peas and Bean sprouts. Stir fry 3-4 minutes.
• Add Snow peas, Stir fry 2 minutes.
• Push vegetables up the sides of the wok.
• Lift the Tofu from the marinade, set aside.
• Add the Sabal Oelek to the marinade, Mix well, add to the center of the wok. ***NOTE*** If you're not familiar with Sabal Oelek, it is an delicious asian chili paste but IT IS HOT! By all means got to know it but use caution try less than 1/4 teaspoon the first time. You can work you're way up as you learn.
• Stir 'til the sauce starts to thicken.
• Add the Tofu and Bean Sprouts, stir gently to mix.
• Heat through.
• Empty the wok into a serving bowl. keep warm.
• Quickly clean and dry the wok. Heat, add 3 TBS oil. Add noodles, stir as they puff.
• Place hot noodles on each plate. Top with the vegetables. Top with toasted Sesame Seeds. Serve.