TOFU NIRVANA repost of Virginia's recipe

[Guest guest]

TOFU NIRVANA

 

This is very quick and easy to prepare ... Just note

that the water is

boiling (and, then, pasta cooking) while you cook the

tofu and

vegetables.

 

This was the first tofu dish I ever tasted, and

remains my favorite.

Since miso lasts for years at room temperature, you

can keep most of

the ingredients on hand, and whip it up when you have

tofu and

vegetables.

 

Tofu/Vegetable Mixture:

7 ounces tofu, preferably firm

1 tablespoon miso (e.g., hatcho [soybean] miso)

3 tablespoons water

1/4 cup toasted sesame oil *

4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed in garlic press

(or minced)

1 bunch scallions (white and light green parts only),

sliced

into 1-inch pieces

2 cups sliced broccoli

1 teaspoon Tamari sauce (or good quality soy sauce)

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Pasta:

1 1/2 quarts water

1/2 teaspoon salt

8 ounces uncooked soba (buckwheat noodles) or linguine

1 tablespoon butter or margarine, room temperature

(optional)

Topping:

2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (if available)

 

* You can reduce this to 1 or 2 tablespoons, provided

that you stir

constantly. However, this will affect the flavor, so

you may want

to use the full amount before trying this.

 

Prepare tofu: If not using firm or extra-firm tofu,

freeze tofu.

Thaw. Squeeze dry. Cut tofu into 1/2-inch pieces.

(You?ll have

about 1 1/2 cups.) Set aside.

 

Boil water (for pasta): Pour 1 1/2 quarts of the water

into large

saucepan. Add salt. Bring to a boil.

 

Cook vegetables and tofu: While water is heating,

whisk miso with

remaining 3 tablespoons water until smooth. Set aside.

In large

skillet or wok, heat oil over medium flame. Add

garlic, scallions,

and broccoli. Saute for 10 minutes, stirring

frequently. Add tofu,

tamari sauce, and cayenne pepper. Saute for 5 minutes

longer. Turn

off flame under pot and stir in miso mixture.

 

Cook pasta: Meanwhile, add pasta to boiling water and

cook as

directed on package (usually 5 minutes for soba, or 9

for linguine).

Drain well. Transfer to serving dish. Toss with

butter.

 

Serve: Pour vegetables and tofu over buttered pasta.

Evenly

sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve hot.

 

Yield: 4 servings

 

Variation(s) : Substitute other vegetables (e.g.,

asparagus) for

broccoli.

 

Don't be angry with life.

There are so many things to be happy for.

Cold, fresh water,

green leaves

and the eyes of good people.

 

Eva Hedén