Miso Marinated Tofu And Eggplant Over Soba 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.

MISO-MARINATED TOFU AND EGGPLANT OVER SOBA NOODLES

Steps:

• Dry tofu between paper towels 20 minutes. Toss tofu and eggplant in separate bowls with 1 1/2 tablespoons miso and 1 teaspoon garlic each.
• Heat wok or large skillet over medium-high heat; add 2 teaspoons peanut oil. Cook the tofu, stirring, 3 minutes or until golden. Transfer to plate, and add 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice; cover.
• Add remaining 2 teaspoons peanut oil to wok, and cook eggplant 2 minutes or until golden. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice; cover and cook 2 minutes or until tender. Transfer to plate; cover.
• Add cabbage, 1/4 cup water, and remaining 1 teaspoon garlic to wok; cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cover; cook 2 minutes. Transfer to bowl; keep warm.
• Add 1/4 cup water, soba, and remaining 3 tablespoons lime juice to wok; stir 1 minute or until hot.
• Remove wok from heat, and toss mixture with sesame oil and scallions. Divide soba and cabbage among 4 bowls. Top with tofu and eggplant.

MISO MARINATED TOFU

Steps:

• Place tofu in dish and splash with about 1-2 TBS soy sauce, then spread the marinade over tofu and let marinate overnight or for a day.
• When ready to make either brown on both sides in a pan sprayed with pam or bake in the oven until golden brown at 350.

MISO-GLAZED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise and cut off the stem and calyx. Using the tip of a paring knife, cut an incision down the middle of each half, making sure not to cut through the skin, but cutting down to it. Salt the eggplant lightly and let sit for 10 minutes. Meanwhile preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment and brush with sesame oil.
• Blot the eggplants with paper towels and place, cut side down, on the baking sheets. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until the skin is beginning to shrivel and the flesh is soft. Remove from the oven, carefully turn the eggplants over, and preheat the broiler.
• To make the glaze, combine the mirin and sake 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 the miso and the sugar. Whisk over medium-low heat without letting the mixture boil, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and whisk in the sesame oil.
• Brush the eggplants with the miso glaze, using up all of the glaze. Place under the broiler, about 2 inches from the heat, and broil for about 1 minute, until the glaze begins to bubble and looks shiny. Remove from the heat. Allow to cool if desired or serve hot. To serve, cut the eggplant halves on the diagonal into 1- to 1-1/2-inch slices.