Cooking Tofu
Seared Tofu with Spinach, Peas, Walnuts, Plain Yogurt and Caraway over Brown Rice
I pulled this dinner together in a flash using some of our quick staples: pantry tofu, microwaveable rice, and frozen peas.This is my favorite kind of tofu - it comes in a nice carton that doesn’t need to be refrigerated, which is nice to always have some on hand. It’s 200 calories for the whole box (I had half). It’s also got that nice jiggly texture that I like in tofu. I don’t like it when it’s firm and grainy.
So first I wrapped it in paper towels to drain some of the moisture. I probably should have done it longer than 5 minutes, but I was inpatient!
Then I put it in a bowl and weighted it with pots:
Then I cut it in cubes and seared it in 1/2 a tsp of EVOO.
Success Rice has these new microwavable cups of rice. 170 calories for a portion. This was great in a pinch, but I’d give the flavor a C+. It was dry and tasted chemically. I much prefer my Lindberg Short Grain Brown!
After searing the tofu, I cooked the peas in some caraway seed and then wilted the baby spinach. It’s served over the rice and topped with plain yogurt and walnuts. The dish was on the bland side because I was too lazy to add seasonings and think about what I was in the mood for. Looking back, this would have been GREAT if I’d mixed the yogurt with some mustard and dill and made a dressing/sauce to toss it all in. Oh well!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Have you ever had FRESH tofu? From what you describe of liking about Mori-Nu tofu, I think you'd enjoy it fresh. The only downfall is that it is best bought the day you're going to eat it. It's all worth it though. It's sort of like switching from dry noodles to freshly made noodles. My husband and I buy only nothing but the freshest tofu we can find.
Leng,
I don't think I have. Where do you normally buy yours? At a specialty store for tofu or a regular grocery store? I don't think I've ever seen it at any of mine or I would have wanted to give it a try.
Sorry, took me so long to reply…um I don't know if there are any Asian markets nearby where you live, but that's where I get mine. It's usually the best place to get it because they go through it quickly. I live in Oakland, CA and there are sooOO many Asian markets here. You could also try specialty stores. I just recently found out one of my favorite Supermarkets carry fresh tofu also, which is a plus because I wouldn't have to go to two stores to get what I need.
Love your blog.
Silken Mori-Nu tofu is delicious! However, nothing beats the taste of fresh! I live in Hawaii so tofu can be found practically at any grocery. I really enjoy House tofu and Aloha tofu. I believe House makes organic.
Hmmm – I’ve had both and can only taste the diff if I haven’t 1) smothered the tofu in sauce (honey, bbq, dill, etc.) or 2) the dish is MOSTLY tofu, even if it has some sauce (but not smothered).
I get fresh tofu at our local hfs, which has both kinds (and more – it also has the fresher than tetra-pack but not really FRESH kind which I also use).