tofu
Tofu is a wonderfully versatile, substantial, and delicious ingredient that has been used in traditional cuisines since ancient times. It is celebrated for its adaptability, and serves as an important protein source for many people. There are endless ways to prepare it – fresh, aged, pressed, crumbled, marinated, and countless others. Here are some of my favorite tofu recipes.
If you’re curious about the controversy around soy (tofu is made from the pressed curds of soy milk). Many of the physicians and oncologists I respect herald its benefits. That said, when purchasing tofu, do your best to seek out brands using organic, non-GMO soybeans. Fermented soy? Even better. Still confused? Bon Appétit goes through 4500 scientific studies related to soy, and does some parsing of the data. Nutritionfacts.org also breaks down some soy studies here.
Vegetable Noodle Soup
This vegetable noodle soup is as simple, direct, and delicious as it gets. If you're vegetarian or vegan looking for an alternative to chicken noodle soup, try this!
Caramelized Tofu
One of my favorite tofu recipes, caramelized strips of tofu served over sautéed shredded brussels sprouts. It come together quickly and uses just one pan.
Turmeric Grilled Tofu Spring Rolls
The spring rolls we've been eating all summer. Grilled turmeric tofu, asparagus, herbs, and hot sauce.
Spicy Rainbow Chopped Salad with Peanuts
Everyone loves this beautiful rainbow chopped salad made with blood oranges, crispy shallots, peanuts, and a creamy, red curry dressing. Give it a try!
Last Minute Everything Bagel Noodle Bowl
A perfect one-pot meal. Noodles, tofu, and broccoli boiled in one pot, drained, tossed with splashes of olive oil and ponzu, plus a generous showering of everything bagel seasoning to finish it all off.
Quick Shredded Tofu Stir-fry
This is a snappy little tofu stir-fry, it comes together in a flash, and is the perfect way to kick off the new year. Use it as a spring roll or lettuce wrap filling as well!
Kimchi Soup
A Kimchi Soup inspired by a bowl of fiesty, fiery, brothy cabbage soup I had years ago at Namu Gaji in San Francisco.
Lazy Day Peanut Noodle Salad
A peanut noodle salad recipe featuring soba noodles punctuated with spring onions, tofu, peanuts, and asparagus. Serve it up family-style on a platter at a potluck, party, or buffet - it holds up perfectly at room temp.
Fig Leaf Coconut Rice
This coconut rice is special thanks to a tip Claudia Schwartz (the lovely, charming proprietress of San Francisco's Bell'occhio) gave me. Simmering the rice grains with a single fig leaf gives the rice a wonderful, unexpected flavor and fragrance. Serve topped with toasted pepitas, dried figs, scallions, and pan-fried tofu.
Avocado Spring Rolls
I'm posting this spring roll recipe from Morocco, they were much needed for the flight over. Rice paper wrappers with brown rice, tofu, avocado, chopped hazelnuts, and a slather of intense oregano sauce. Plus a few snapshots of the trip so far.
