Brown Rice Bowl With Oven Baked Miso Glazed Tofu Red Peppers And Kimchi Food

RICE BOWL WITH OVEN-BAKED MISO TOFU

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment. Pat each slice of tofu dry with paper towels.
• Whisk together the soy sauce, ginger, garlic, cayenne, honey or agave nectar, lime juice, miso, mirin, and oils. Pour into a dish that can accommodate all of the tofu slices in a single layer (such as a baking dish). Place the tofu slices in the marinade and turn them over. Leave to marinate for 15 minutes, turning once or twice. Transfer to the baking sheet. Add the peppers to the dish with the marinade and toss to coat thoroughly, then place on the baking sheet in a single layer.
• Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast for 15 to 20 minutes, turning the peppers once with tongs, until the edges of the tofu are just beginning to color and the marinade sets on the surface, and the peppers are sizzling and beginning to color on the edges. Remove from the heat.
• If desired, heat the kimchi in a small pan or saucepan. Spoon rice into 4 wide bowls or onto plates. Top with kimchi, tofu, and peppers. If desired, douse the rice with some of the remaining marinade from the tofu, and serve.

BROWN RICE BOWLS WITH STEWED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Cut tops off peppers, then cut lengthwise into sections along creases. Remove seeds and membranes. Slice sections crosswise.
• Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat and add onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add sweet peppers and, if using, chiles. Cook, stirring often, until peppers have softened slightly, about 5 minutes. Add salt to taste and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, until peppers are tender.
• Add tomatoes, sugar, basil sprig and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring from time to time, until tomatoes have softened and cooked down, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Cover skillet, reduce heat and simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture is thick and fragrant. Stir in slivered basil. Taste and adjust seasonings. Keep warm.
• Make Parmesan crisps: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 1 or 2 baking sheets with silicon mats or parchment. Spoon heaped tablespoons (about 1/2 ounce) grated Parmesan onto silicon mat or parchment, then use a spoon to flatten rounds until they are about 4 to 4 1/2 inches in diameter and very thin. They should be about 2 inches apart. Bake 9 to 10 minutes, switching pans front to back, until the cheese is brown and lacy. Remove from heat and allow the rounds to cool. Once cooled, they should be crisp all the way through.
• Spoon rice into bowls. Top with peppers. Garnish with torn leaves of fresh basil and a Parmesan crisp.

BAKED MISO-GLAZED TOFU WITH WILD MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• To make the miso glaze, combine mirin and sake or stock in the smallest saucepan you have and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil 20 seconds, taking care not to boil off much of the liquid, then turn the heat to low and stir in miso and sugar. Whisk over medium heat until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and whisk in 1 teaspoon of sesame oil.
• If mushrooms have thick long stems, cut stems in half and then into 1/2-inch pieces. Separate all of the clumps of mushrooms into individual mushrooms. You can use the bottom of the clump. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Heat a wok or wide heavy skillet over high heat until a drop of water evaporates in a second. Add 1 tablespoon olive or grapeseed oil and mushrooms and sear without moving for 30 seconds, then stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, until they begin to sweat. Turn heat to medium and add garlic. Stir-fry 30 seconds, then add salt to taste and stir-fry until mushrooms are soft, 2 to 3 minutes. Add wine and stir-fry until it is no longer visible in the pan. Add 3 tablespoons of miso glaze, stir together and remove from heat.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment. Transfer remaining glaze to a wide bowl and whisk in remaining sesame oil, cayenne, remaining grapeseed or peanut oil and soy sauce. Cut tofu into 8 to 10 slices and pat dry with paper towels. Dip each slice into miso glaze, making sure to coat both sides. Transfer to baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes, until edges are just beginning to color.
• Gently reheat mushrooms. Place a couple of slices of tofu on each plate, top with the mushrooms and serve.