Spicy Thai Grilled Tofu
Isn’t technology grand! I remember a time when you had to go to your doctor’s office and actually see your doctor to find out the results of your lab tests. Now with the magic of email and the internet, you can have the bad news delivered right to your inbox. In my case this usually occurs on the onset of my weekend. Of course, until I turned 50, I only went to the doctor about every 15 years so I never worried about getting that kind of potential bad news. Alas, I can’t get away with that anymore (and according to my latest lipid panel that isn’t the only thing I can’t get away with). I guess it was just a matter of time. It appears that good genes can only take care of you for so long; sooner or later you just have to make some good dietary decisions. It’s not like I don’t know how to eat well; I just don’t always do it. Good nutrition isn’t always convenient…it takes time and planning (getting up and moving away from the couch or the computer couldn’t hurt either). So now I’m on a mission! With any luck, a little exercise and the occasional salad, I am planning on having my cholesterol right back down to the same post-adolescent levels they were at last year.
One of the dishes I plan on consuming to bring me back on the road to health is this old favorite that my friend Sue makes and was nice enough to share with me. This ‘Spicy Thai Grilled Tofu’ is so tasty that I often make it just because it tastes so good (regardless of how nutritionally responsible it is). It is composed of fresh raw vegetables and topped off with grilled tofu. The sesame dressing is light and refreshing and would taste great on any combination of fresh vegetables you might like to add to the salad. Lately I’ve been adding a little kale even though I am running the risk of being trendy (truth is it tastes good in there). I generally follow the recipe exactly as she gave it to me, but sometimes I add a tablespoon or two of peanut butter for a little added richness. This dish is good hot or cold, and tastes great (if not better) the next day. If you are new to grilling tofu don’t panic, it is easy. Grilling gives it a little more texture and flavor, and the grill marks are very appetizing. You can grill it easily in a grill pan indoors or outside on the BBQ. I hope you enjoy this Spicy Thai Grilled Tofu as much as I do and thank you Sue for sharing it with us. See you at the gym.
- I 16 oz block of extra firm tofu
- I carrot, peeled and cut into julienne strips
- 2-3 green onions, chopped
- ½ red bell pepper, cut into julienne strips
- I cup kale, shredded
- Fresh cilantro to taste
- ⅛ cup sesame oil
- ⅛ cup olive oil
- ⅛ cup rice wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoon fresh squeezed lime juice
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon red chili oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon garlic, chopped
- 1-2 tablespoons peanut butter (optional)
- Combine and mix all the dressing ingredients together. Taste and adjust to your personal taste and set aside. Combine all your fresh vegetables in a large bowl and set aside. Take your block of tofu and slice it lengthwise into 4 half inch slabs. Blot the slices dry with paper towels. Brush with vegetable oil and cook over a hot grill to achieve some nice grill marks and to lightly toast the exterior. Remove from heat, cool, then cut into small triangles. Add the grilled tofu to the vegetables and toss with the dressing. It is now ready to serve.
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