My wife has been having a few really tough weeks at work so I’ve started stepping it up in the kitchen so she can just relax when she gets home.<
Inspired by the facts that 1) I have a race coming up and I’m watching what I eat and 2) it’s hot out and who really wants to cook something complicated, I’ve started making Grilled Tofu and what I call, Unfried Rice for dinner one night a week.
Ingredients
- 1 package extra firm Tofu
- 1 cup brown rice
- 1 stalk broccoli
- 2 carrots (medium sized)
- 1/2 head cauliflower
- 10 oz Cremini mushrooms (white mushrooms also work)
- 3 large cloves fresh garlic (garlic powder will do in a pinch)
- Olive Oil to taste
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Your favorite Asian marinade (I’ve been using Trader Joe’s Soyaki)
Preparation (5 minutes not including marinade time)
- Remove Tofu from package and drain
- Cut into 1/2 inch slices and place side by side in a shallow dish (I use a 9X13 pyrex pan)
- Cover the Tofu with the marinade (make sure there is some beneath each slice) and put it in the fridge for at least one hour
- Cut the broccoli and cauliflower into small florets
- Slice carrots on a bias
- Slice mushrooms
- Mince garlic and separate into two equal portions
Cooking (35 minutes including rice cooking time)
- Prep rice and set aside (you can make it in advance and refrigerate if it’s easier)
- Blanch or steam broccoli and cauliflower quickly (until broccoli is bright green and cauliflower starts getting soft)
- Heat one tablespoon of oil in a fry pan and brown half the garlic
- Add mushrooms and stir fry until well cooked (about 10 minutes)
- Stir in broccoli and cauliflower and stir fry for another five minutes
- Add rice and 1/8 cup of marinade from Tofu and stir until mixture is hot (optional, add more Olive Oil to taste)
- Add salt and pepper to taste
- Place mixture in glass bowl, cover with tinfoil and set aside
- Add more oil and garlic and when sizzling add Tofu
- Cook Tofu until is browned – about three minutes each side
Scoop rice onto plate and place two slices of Tofu on top. If you slice the Tofu properly, this recipe makes four portions.
Enjoy!
