My Tofu Experiment

Recently, while eating at a buffet, I had the most delicious tofu ever. And every time I've been back there, I've had this amazing tofu and it's absolutely fabulous. So I decided to try to figure out what they did and recreate it, and this is what I've come up with so far:

1 block extra-firm tofu, rinsed and drained
1 Tbsp sesame oil
2 Tbsp tamari
4 Tbsp teriaki sauce

Cut tofu into 12 logs. Put them in an airtight container with the remaining ingredients and marinate for a day or two or three or four.

Heat a skillet. Dump the tofu and marinate together into the pan and fry. Move the tofu around over and over again to prevent sticking and make sure the sauce is coating the tofu well.

Serve.

This was very popular with the kids. Even family members who 'hate' tofu gobbled it up.


This, however is not how the buffet tofu tasted, even though it was good. I am going to keep on experimenting.

Old-Fashioned Baked Beans

from the cookbook Vegan Planet, p. 292

This is a quicker version of the traditional baked bean recipe, and every bit oh, so yummy.  Serve with cornbread and some slaw.

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 small yellow onion, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp chili powder
1/8 tsp cayenne
one 14.5 ounce can tomato puree (or tomato sauce if you can't find puree in this size can)
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp molasses
1 Tbsp prepared yellow mustard
1 1/2 Tbsp tamari or other soy sauce
1 1/2 Tbsp vinegar (I use apple cider vinegar)
salt and pepper
1 cup dried pinto beans, soaked overnight then cooked OR two cans of beans drained and rinsed

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Heat olive oil in medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cover and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in chili powder and cayenne.
• Add tomato puree, sugar, molasses, mustard, tamari and vinegar and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until slightly reduced, about 15 minutes.

• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Mix in beans.

• Place mixture into lightly oiled 1 1/2 quart baking dish.
• Cover and bake 20 minutes. Serve hot.

serves 4 or so