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I am constantly paging through the Good Housekeeping Cookbook for basic recipes that I can make for myself. Most recipes call for at least four servings. This poses a challenge for us single girls and guys; who really wants to eat leftovers three days in a row?  Well, some recipes turn out such delicious, healthy, and hearty meals that they warrant leftovers. Such is the case with the following recipe I made from the Good Housekeeping Cookbook: Stir-Fry Tofu with Vegetables (recipe follows below).

For a healthy, meatless meal that contains firm tofu, this recipe is a winner. I only wish I hadn’t waited so long to make it.  As it is, it took me forever to buy sesame oil.  Also, having all the ingredients on hand in order to make this or any Asian-style meal (or any meal, for that matter) was challenging for me. Either I would have trouble locating all the items a recipe called for on a shopping trip or the item was simply too expensive for a one-time use that it just wasn’t a justifiable purchase. With some recipes, substitutions simply aren’t feasible.

I want to share some notes with you regarding this recipe.  This is a wonderfully fragrant meal what with the sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.  So much so, in fact, that if you don’t have a well-ventilated kitchen, the aromas will linger in your apartment/house for a couple of days.

A great accompanying side dish to this recipe is, you guessed it, rice.  If you want to carry over the fragrant aroma into the side dish, then I would highly recommend jasmine rice.  Its perfume is remarkable and heightens your senses as you eat it.  Just prior to throwing the rice in the boiling water, add some spices, such as five spice powder and curry powder as well as coconut oil (in place of butter or other oil, if desired).  Coconut oil is healthy and delicious. Grate a teaspoon of lemon zest on the rice upon serving, and you’ve got yourself some of the best rice out there.

Regarding the tofu, I had trouble browning it.  I think next time I will buy extra-firm (instead of firm), drain it and towel it off super-well; and I will make sure the oil is extra hot before adding the tofu.  This might do the trick. 

Another quick note: if you can, do all the prep work ahead of time.  Chopping vegetables can be somewhat tedious and time-consuming depending on how skilled you are with the knife.  And do use a proper vegetable knife. If you watch the Food Network regularly like I do, you pick up so many wonderful tips.

One final tip: make sure the brown sugar is soft.  If it’s a new, un-opened box, then it’s fine.  However, if it’s an open box that isn’t tightly sealed in plastic, then take the amount you need, place in a bowl with a wet paper towel directly on it, and microwave for about a minute.  Break up with fork and, if needed, microwave 30 seconds more.  Do this only when you are ready to use the brown sugar.

Ingredients:
1 cup(s) chicken broth , or substitute vegetable broth

1 tablespoon(s) soy sauce

1 tablespoon(s) brown sugar

2 teaspoon(s) cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon(s) salt

2 teaspoon(s) vegetable oil

2 teaspoon(s) Asian sesame oil

1 package(s) firm tofu, drained and cut into 1-inch by 1/2-inch pieces

1 large carrot, peeled and thinly sliced

1 red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

3 green onions (scallions), thinly sliced

2 clove(s) garlic, finely chopped

1 tablespoon(s) fresh ginger, peeled and minced

8 ounce(s) mushrooms, trimmed and thinly sliced

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Directions:

In 2-cup measuring cup, combine broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt until well-blended.

In a nonstick 12″ stir fry pan or wok, heat vegetable and sesame oils over medium-high heat. Add tofu and cook, stirring frequently (stir-frying), until heated through and lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Transfer to bowl. Add carrot, red pepper, green onions, garlic, and ginger to skillet and stir-fry until vegetables are tender-crisp, about 3 minutes longer.

Add mushrooms and stir-fry 3 minutes. Add broth mixture and tofu and stir-fry until sauce has thickened slightly and boils, about 3 minutes.

Enjoy! For an extensive collection of recipes that’s great for beginner/intermediate cooks, get the Good Housekeeping Cookbook.  I swear by it.

Check out this blog post on Going Gluten Free, read about the harmful effects of wheat and fabulous properties of coconut oil.

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This entry was posted on Monday, February 22nd, 2010 at 1:30 am and is filed under Online Fashion Shopping. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.