Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Painting on Tofu. Well, Not Really...

Tofu in Peanut Sauce

I really enjoy a good tofu meal. Tofu is a blank slate waiting for a creative approach. It allows the cook to play around with the many possibilities available to flavor the canvas. I have been eating it for about fifteen years now. I credit Deborah Madison's wonderful recipes for introducing me to alternatives to the simple moroccan stew I use to make with it when I was I first married. At some point, I took a leap and ventured away from other people's recipe and came up with my own variations. This lovely meal is the result a deviation which started from a recipe in Deborah Madison's This Can't Be Tofu.

Tofu in Peanut Sauce in Bowl

Tofu Sautee, in Peanut Sauce (serves 4)

1 tablespoon peanut or canola oil
16oz firm tofu

1/4 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon Thai sweet chili sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons GF soy sauce
1 tablespoon agave nectar
1/2 cup vegetable broth

1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 green onions, finely chopped



In the food processor, blend the peanut butter, chili sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce, agave nectar, and vegetable broth. When the mixture is smooth, add the cilantro and green onions. Pulse a few times.

Cut thickness of slab of tofu in half. Then divide into four equal sticks and finally cut sticks horizontally halfway across. You should have 16 equal rectangles.

Tofu Rectangles

Heat oil in a thick bottom pan, then fry the tofu in it until golden on each side. Pour the sauce over the tofu and let bubble under medium heat for 2 minutes. Serve over rice.

13 comments:

Deeba PAB said...

How lovely that looks Alexa...I'm in love with your painted tofu. Why don't you send your bookmarked recipes to Ruth Elkin's Bookmarked Event. I'm hosting it this week since she's away, but it's an ongoing event. xoxox

Dewi said...

Alexa, this looks really good! Mouth watering indeed!


In Indonesia, tofu with spicy peanut sauce (normally has mung bean sprouts in it) is very common and it is normally a street food, eaten with rice cake. Delice!

Btw, I have 3 of her books, I rarely use it though! Have you tried Zucchini filled with corn, chili and smoke cheese? it is p.266 "Fields of Green"
It's really good!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Looove peanut sauce!

Deb Schiff said...

Oh my goodness! That dish looks so tasty! Thanks for the gorgeous photos. :)

maybelles mom said...

another gorgeous picture

Mary Ann said...

That looks so scrumptious! I love tofu and luckily so do my kids. I am always looking for new flavors and ways to prepare it. This is going on the menu for next week!

Alexa said...

passionate Deeba,
Thanks for letting me know about the event. I'll have to look into it. I am having such busy weeks since the kids started school again. I'll try to find some time later on this week.

Elra,
I'll have to look for the recipe you are recommending. It sounds good.

The version of the tofu with the peanut sauce you describe sounds delightful. That's my type of street food.:-)

Veggiegirl,
Addictive stuff isn't it... I am a big fan.

deb schiff,
Thanks for your visit. I am glad you liked this post!

Maybelle's Mom,
Thank you!

Mary Ann,
I am glad you feel inspired to try it. Enjoy!

Robin said...

Hi Alexa,
We have been paired together in Kristen's Adopt A Blogger project. Your blog is wonderful and your photos beautiful, and you call yourself a newbie. This is a great blog and I have seen your photos on Tastespotting which is huge as it has gotten very hard to get on there. My email is bigredkitchen [at] yahoo [dot] com if you have any questions. I think I am going to try your kofte recipe as I have been searching for a good one for a while now! Thanks! Robin Sue

Alexa said...

Hi Robin Sue,
I am thrilled to have you as a blog mentor. I'll be contacting you very soon. Thanks!!!

CECIL said...

I can eat tofu anytime of the day! And with peanut sauce, mmhh...I don't even need rice to go with it. :) Delicious!!

Dee said...

Ooh, I'm definitely trying this out! With a little more chile perhaps. Good one, Alexa!

bee said...

i am definitely making this in the next day or two. awesome looking dish.

Alexa said...

Cecil,
I am with you. I love tofu in any way shape or form...

Dee,
I keep the heat down because of my kids. My husband usually keeps a bottle of hot sauce next to him though.:-)

Bee,
I am so glad. I can't wait to hear what you think!

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