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Tag: Meatless Monday

Crispy Tofu with Sugar Snap Peas

Celebrating Chinese New Year!

This is a great recipe to make for Meatless Mondays… I love making tofu dishes- we all love it. Recently I have been getting my inspiration from the New York Times cooking site – it has lots of really really good ideas. This recipe is from there.. I tweaked it a bit but it is still quite similar. Try this one, it is a winner!

  • 1 14 ounces package extra firm tofu
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/3 cup corn starch

Sauce

  • 4 garlic cloves, grated
  • 1 large jalapeno chiles, seeded and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
  • Juice of 2 medium limes
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons fish sauce
  • 2 teaspoons honey

Transfer all the ingredients to small bowl, mix well and set aside.

  • Peanut oil
  • 2 cups sugar snap peas, trimmed and thinly sliced
  • 4 scallions, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds

Drain tofu and wrap it with several layers of paper towel and place on a plate. Top with a heavy can and let the tofu drain for 30 minutes. Unwrap the tofu and into four parts and then diagonally. Dry with more paper towels and keep aside.

Transfer the cornstarch and salt into a wide bowl. Dredge the tofu and set aside. In the meantime, heat a large skillet over high heat. Add 3 tablespoons peanut oil and start browning the tofu on each side for 2 to 3 minutes. Take out of the pan, add more peanut oil and add the sugar snap peas and scallions. Stir fry until soften- 1 to 2 minutes. Add the sauce and bring to a boil. Add the tofu and garnish with cilantro, basil and sesame seeds. Serve with brown rice.

 

South Indian Style Tomato Rice

This is my version of a classic South Indian style tomato rice- mine is made with brown rice.  No one was able to tell which rice was used. It is a great side dish accompanied by a protein or it is a great main to eat with a fried egg on top… either way, it is delicious!

  • 1 cup brown jasmine rice, rinsed
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon oil

Bring the water, salt and oil to a boil. Add the rice and simmer on medium low heat with partial lid on for 10 minutes. Cover with lid and turn to low and cook for another 25 to 30 minutes. Fluff with fork once the rice is cooked and keep aside.

  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoons mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoons cumin seeds
  • ½ inch cinnamon stick
  • 2 cloves
  • 8 to 10 curry leaves, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 inch ginger, grated
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Salt

Heat a frying pan with the coconut oil. Add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, cloves and curry leaves. Saute on medium heat for a minute. Add the onion and ginger and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, coriander powder, turmeric and cayenne pepper. Saute on low heat for 5 to 6 minutes. Add the cooled rice, mix well and check for seasonings. Serve right away.

MaPo Tofu with Mushrooms and Bok Choy
  • 1 pack firm tofu- 450 grams, cut into 1 inch squares and soaked in 3 cups of water and 2 teaspoons salt for 10 minutes
  • 2 tablespoons peanut oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 inch ginger, chopped
  • 10 ounces Cremini mushrooms, chopped into small pieces
  • 1 tablespoon chili bean sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorn, ground
  • Salt
  • 1 tablespoon tamari
  • 5 to 6 mini bok choy, sliced in half
  • ½ cup mushroom or vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Drain the tofu and pat dry making sure not to break the pieces. Mix the corn starch in water in a small bowl, mix and keep aside.

Heat a wok like pan with peanut oil. Add the onion, ginger and garlic. Stir fry over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and sauté on high heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Move the veggie mixture to the side of the pan and add the chili bean sauce and Sichuan peppercorn powder. Saute for 30 seconds. Mix in with the veggies and add the tamari, tofu, bok choy, broth and corn starch. Mix well and bring to a boil. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, add salt if needed. Garnish with cilantro.

 

Pasta Primavera with Roasted Vegetables

Yummy and healthy dish for Meatless Monday!!

  • 2 cups zucchini, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 to 4 garlic cloves, with skin on
  • Olive oil
  • Salt

Place the vegetables and garlic on to a line cookie sheet. Drizzle some olive oil and sprinkle some salt. Mix well and roast in a 400 degrees oven for 30 minutes. Take out and let cool. Slide the garlic out of the skins and mash with fork.

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cups fresh or store bought tomato sauce
  • ½ cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 cup roasted corn
  • ½ cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
  • Salt
  • ½ pound pasta of choice, cooked al dente and 1 cup spare pasta water

Heat a large frying pan with the olive oil. Add the onion and sauté on medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, basil and the roasted garlic. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the corn and the roasted vegetables. Bring to a boil and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cheese and pasta. Mix well and add the spare pasta water if needed. Check for seasonings and add salt.

Garlicky Pasta with Broccoli Rabe

This is one of my favorite pastas to eat- I love the earthy, slightly bitter broccoli rabe and lots of garlic… plus it is a perfect Meatless Monday dish!!

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 8 to 10 garlic cloves, sliced thin
  • ½ cup pine nuts
  • 1 bunch broccoli rabe, chopped with stems off
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons salt
  • ½ pound pasta of choice, cooked al dente with 1 cup pasta water
  • ½ cup cheese, a variety is ideal- I used a combination of Parmigiano, Asiago and Pecorino

Heat a wide frying pan with the olive oil. Add the garlic and nuts and cook on a low heat for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the broccoli rabe and cook on medium high heat till the greens wilt down. Add the cooked pasta and ½ cup pasta water. Mix well and add the cheese. Stir and check for seasonings. Add more salt and pasta water if needed. Serve warm.

Pasta with Pistachio Pesto and Mushrooms

Here is a yummy pasta for Meatless Monday! Delicious pistachio pesto is added for a nutty flavor and the mushrooms add an amazing earthy taste…

Pistachio Pesto

  • 1 cup roasted unsalted pistachios
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • ¼ cup mint, chopped
  • ½ cup parsley, chopped
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated
  • Salt

Transfer the pistachios and garlic to a food processor. Pulse for 30 seconds. Add the mint and parsley. While the processor is on, drizzle the oil in. Add the cheese and salt to taste. Keep aside.

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cups Cremini mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ pound pasta cooked al dente, ½ cup pasta water spare
  • Salt
  • ½ cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated

Heat a large frying with the olive oil. Add the mushrooms and sauté on high heat, stirring constantly for 4 to 5 minutes or till they are golden brown. Add the pasta and stir well. Start by adding ½ cup of the pesto and adjust as needed. Add salt to taste. Garnish with cheese and serve.