Tofu And Rice Loaf Food

SPICY RICE NOODLES WITH CRISPY TOFU AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. As the oven heats, press the tofu (you can do this by sandwiching the block in paper towels and placing a cutting board, plus a heavy pot, can or book on top).
• Cut the tofu into 1/2-inch cubes and place in a medium bowl. Add the salt and oils, and toss to combine.
• Sprinkle the cornstarch, panko and sesame seeds, if using, and toss gently so the tofu cubes are coated.
• Spread on the prepared sheet and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, flipping once, until golden-brown and crisp.
• While the tofu bakes, start the noodles: Put the dry rice noodles in a big, wide bowl. Fill a kettle, bring the water to a boil, and pour the boiling water over the noodles to cover. Set aside for 6 to 10 minutes, until the noodles are fully rehydrated and soft. (Time may vary by brand.) Then drain, rinse with cold water, and drain again. Transfer noodles to a large bowl.
• As the noodles soak, prepare the spicy sesame oil: In a small pot, combine sesame oil, peanut oil, garlic, ginger, red-pepper flakes and sesame seeds. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook on the lowest heat for 10 to 12 minutes, until the garlic slices turn golden.
• Meanwhile, on your cutting board, make a small mound with the teaspoon of salt. Place the basil and the scallions on top, and use your knife to furiously chop and smash until you have a rough paste.
• Mix the basil paste into the bowl of rice noodles. Pile the baby spinach on top. Pour at least half of the hot oil immediately over the spinach, tossing so that the heat wilts the leaves slightly. Then add the juice of the 1/2 lime and toss to combine. Taste for salt and lime juice, and add more oil as you see fit.
• Arrange the tofu on top of the noodles, or mix them in so that the cubes hide like little treasures. For extra flair, garnish with additional sesame seeds and a drizzle of toasted sesame oil.

FRIED RICE WITH TOFU

Steps:

• Combine tofu and 2 tablespoons soy sauce in a bowl and marinate while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and carrot; cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add tofu and marinade and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in rice and cook for 3 minutes while stirring.
• Move all ingredients to one half of the skillet and crack eggs into the empty half. Cook for 2 minutes until eggs start to set. Mix eggs and the rest of the ingredients until well combined. Season with remaining soy sauce and sugar; mix well.
• Stir tomato into the skillet; cook and mix for 1 minute. Season with salt, white pepper, and more soy sauce if desired.

TOFU AND RICE WITH SCALLION OIL

Steps:

• Cut the tofu block crosswise into 6 equal segments, then cut the segments into 3 equal pieces to make 18 pieces. Press the tofu pieces between paper towels to dry them. Set aside.
• Add the scallions, fish sauce and sugar to a medium heatproof bowl and place the bowl next to the stove. Place a wire rack in a baking pan or sheet and place next to the stove as well.
• Add 2 1/2 inches of oil to a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan or high-walled cast-iron skillet set over medium-high heat. When the oil reaches 190 degrees F (see Cook's Note), ladle out 1/2 cup of oil and slowly pour over the scallion mixture; it should sizzle. Set aside the scallion oil while you fry the tofu.
• Heat the remaining oil in the saucepan to 375 degrees F. Add the tofu and fry until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the tofu to the wire rack-lined baking pan to drain.
• Divide the tofu among 2 to 3 bowls of rice. Stir the scallion oil to incorporate the oil with the scallions, then ladle generous spoonfuls over the tofu.

TOFU, RICE AND VEGETABLE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium heat, brown the rice, stirring constantly; pour it into a greased or pan-sprayed 1-1/2-quart or larger oven-safe casserole.
• In the same saucepan, melt the margarine and add the onion and curry powder. Note that you might want to add a bit of tamari, Bragg's Liquid Aminos, or salt if you're using curry powder that does not contain salt.
• Cook until the onion's almost transparent, about 5 minutes, and then add the spinach, tofu, and corn; cook until all are thawed, breaking up the tofu with a spoon.
• When through, drain, pressing the liquid out of the vegetable/tofu mixture (or you can just squish it through your fingers, in which case, of course, cool it slightly beforehand).
• Reserve this liquid and add enough hot water to it to make 2 cups. In a separate container, heat this liquid to boiling.
• Stir the boiling liquid back into the vegetable/tofu mixture and bring it all to a boil.
• Remove it from the heat and stir it into the rice that's in the casserole dish.
• Cover and bake it at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed.
• Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.

TOFU MEATLOAF

Steps:

• Drain tofu and mash.
• Combine all ingredients and mix well.
• Place in a loaf pan coated with oil.
• Bake at 350F for one hour.
• Cool in pan for 15 minutes.
• Garnish with ketchup, BBQ sauce, and/or chopped parsley.
• When cold, can be sliced for sandwiches.

THAI BAKED TOFU AND COCONUT RICE

Steps:

• Remove tofu from package and slice horizontally into 5 slices. Line a baking sheet with paper towels and set tofu on top. Place more paper towels on top of the tofu and weigh down tofu with a flat and heavy object. Press tofu for at least 1 hour or overnight to remove as much liquid as possible.
• Transfer tofu to a deep dish. Whisk together water, beef base, and hoisin sauce. Pour over tofu and marinate for 1 hour in the refrigerator.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Discard marinade and pat tofu dry. Slice tofu into 1-inch cubes and place on the prepared baking sheet. Spray with cooking spray.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Meanwhile, combine spinach, tomatoes, chili sauce, yogurt, lime juice, olive oil, and basil in a blender. Blend on high until completely smooth. Refrigerate sauce to cool.
• Meanwhile, bring coconut milk and rice to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and water has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Serve tofu and rice with spinach sauce on side for dipping.