Grilled Tofu With Sautéed Greens Food

GRILLED TOFU WITH SAUTéED GREENS

Steps:

• Slice tofu width-wise into 6 pieces (each slice about 3/4 inch/2 cm thick). Place a layer of paper towel, or clean tea towel, on a cutting board. Arrange tofu in a single layer; cover with another layer or paper towel (or tea towel), and firmly press on tofu to remove excess moisture. Repeat two more times with dry paper towels, or tea towels. In a shallow dish, whisk together sesame oil, rice vinegar, brown sugar and garlic. Add tofu; marinate for at least 30 minutes, turning once. Preheat grill over medium heat. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. When pan is hot, add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Add spinach and sauté for 2 minutes, or until most of the spinach is wilted, but some leaves still retain their shape. Season with red pepper flakes and pepper; remove from heat, and cover to keep warm. Place tofu on preheated grill and reduce heat to medium-low. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes per side, turning once or twice, or until tofu turns golden brown, and has visible grill marks. Divide sautéed greens between two plates; sprinkle with sea salt and black sesame seeds. Gently place three pieces of tofu over sautéed greens. Serves with a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice if you like. Serve immediately. Serves 2.

GRILLED TOFU

Steps:

• Arrange sliced tofu in a single layer on a paper towel-lined plate. Press top with more paper towels to remove excess water. Arrange tofu in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, or any shallow dish that can hold the tofu in one layer.
• In a small saucepan, combine oil, garlic and ginger over medium; bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant, 2 minutes. Add soy sauce, sugar, pepper and 1/4 cup water, and cook, stirring to dissolve the sugar, about 2 minutes.
• Pour hot marinade over tofu. Gently turn tofu slices to evenly coat, then cover dish tightly with plastic wrap to seal in heat. Refrigerate for 6 hours (or up to 8 hours), flipping tofu slices halfway through.
• Heat grill to medium and grease grates well (or heat a cast-iron grill pan over medium and lightly grease). Grill tofu over direct heat until golden and caramelized, about 3 minutes per side.
• Meanwhile, transfer marinade to a small saucepan over medium and warm through, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in scallions.
• Transfer tofu to a serving plate and spoon over the sauce. Serve warm.

SAUTEED TOFU WITH BITTER GREENS

Steps:

• Cut tofu in half lengthwise, then cut each piece across into 6 slices. Place tofu on a paper-towel-lined plate. Cover with more paper towels; place another plate on top. Weight with a few soup cans. Chill 30 minutes so towels absorb excess water.
• In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce; sesame oil; chili paste or Tabasco, if using; lime juice; ginger; and garlic. Set aside. Transfer tofu to medium bowl; toss with half the marinade; let sit for 30 minutes.
• Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, arrange tofu in a single layer in pan. Cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to platter; repeat with remaining tofu. Gradually add greens to skillet with remaining marinade. Cook, tossing occasionally, until greens are wilted and most of the liquid has evaporated, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to platter with tofu. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and red pepper; serve.

BROILED TERIYAKI TOFU WITH BITTER GREENS, CHILI, AND SCALLION OIL

Steps:

• Heat the broiler and place a rack as close as possible to the flame. Put the tofu pieces on a plate and rub with all over with the teriyaki sauce.
• Add the vegetable oil, one of the pieces of ginger, half the scallions and the garlic cloves to a small saucepan. Heat to a lively simmer, then turn off the heat and allow the oil to steep for 15 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add 2 tablespoons salt, then add the broccoli, blanch for 2 minutes, then drain well and shock under cold running water to stop the cooking. Chop into 1-inch lengths and set aside.
• Heat the chicken stock in a small saucepan over medium heat-add the remaining piece of ginger, the soy sauce and half the sesame oil, and simmer on very low heat.
• Place the tofu pieces in an ovenproof skillet or on a baking sheet and broil, turning once, until beginning to caramelize all over, about 4 minutes per side.
• While the tofu is broiling, pick the piece of ginger out of the scallion oil and discard. Heat ½ of the scallion oil in a large saucepan over high heat. Add the chopped broccoli, the red pepper, the onion and the remaining sesame oil and sauté until warmed through.
• To serve, place a mound of the broccoli in the center of a bowl. Place a piece of broiled tofu over the greens. Ladle some chicken stock around the greens, then add a few spoonfuls of the scallion oil. Repeat with a second bowl, top both bowls with the remaining scallions, and serve.