Hot hot hot! I walked to Harris Teeter this afternoon to return our DVD and pick up some mushrooms for dinner and came back needing water and watermelon!
Before dinner I snacked on some trail mix and roasted garbanzos to tide hunger. My favorite tide-over snack!
TOFU PERFECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
= baking it!!! Finally, a tofu method that gets a nice texture and doesn’t promote crumbling! After seeing Em bake it on Gliding Calm with "crispy on the outside" results, I decided to try this method. I pressed some extra firm tofu under some heavy cookbooks for about 2 hours and baked it for about 45 minutes at 350*.
The final dish: Tofu Stroganoff
A toss of whole wheat egg noodles, baked tofu cut into cubes, sauteed mushrooms + peas, and sour cream and bleu cheese stirred in.
I used 1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp bleu cheese crumbles and about 1/3 cup fat free sour cream. The sour cream was leftovers from Food Comp Lab that our professor offered us (normally I probably would have used Fage). NOTE: This brand of bleu cheese was weak! I got it because it was on sale, but I should have known better. Invest in a high quality bleu cheese if you want to try this dish!
While cooking I sipped on about 4 oz of last night’s Ledson Zinfandel –
And had two "these don’t count because it’s not my drink" sips of the husband’s Manhattan
I estimated the dish to be about 500 calories per serving (the tofu alone was about 200 calories), so save it for a night when you have more room (or use less ingredients).
Earn Your Dessert
Somebody (not me!) had a big craving for ice cream, so I made my second journey to Harris Teeter this afternoon on foot. It sure makes it more fun when you walk to earn dessert. I totally didn’t need any ice cream tonight, but who can resist partially melted ice cream on a steamy summer night!?
Tomorrow’s plan: workout, breakfast, go to the POOL for the first time all summer and read, and then we’re having friends over for a cookout 8)
BethT says
I have an excellent Moosewood baked tofu recipe that is similar, but includes tossing it with a drizzle of soy sauce and some minced garlic. Gives it a nice beefy flavor.
mh says
my dinners are usually btw 600-800 (when I try to guestimate bc I don’t count) calories so I don’t think 500 is high at all. is there a certain breakup of calories you (all) try to eat at each meal?
heather says
You just have the best food blog. The layout is so neat and crisp, everything you post looks delicious, your attitude about food/exercise is inspiring, and you write really well. I’ve looked at tons of food blogs, but not many compare to yours! I hope you keep it up!
Kristie says
That tofu dish looks awesome. Too bad about the weak bleu cheese.
I just bought a pack of tofu so it looks like I’m going to have to give the baking method a try. I’m a little nervous though, never baked tofu before.
Walking to get dessert, especially on a lovely summer night, is the best. Makes me want to go out and do so right about now. Even though I am just about to go to bed haha.
Bridget says
Kath,
I think a while back I remember you saying you would like to find plain frozen yogurt, but never have…well they have it at Cold Stone now! I tried some tonight and it’s delicious! Tart and tangy, just like plain yogurt. However, I just tried to find it online and I don’t see it anywhere on their website, so either it’s brand new or they are test-marketing it in my area. Just thought I’d share!
Clara says
mmm baked tofu is the best.
i know, isn’t ice cream just irresistible on a hot day?! I got some myself today too!
and of course – I second heather 🙂
Ansley says
What’s better than a summer cookout by the pool? [Besides a summer cookout by the pool with a nice, chilly glass of Rose!] [[Or a White …]]
Oh, and I thought I’d let you know I, uh, ‘borrowed’ your idea for the PB/AB spoon in oatmeal, and it. Was. Spectacular. My oaties will never be the same again!
Have a wonderful time chillaxing by the pool! 😀
Sidi says
Cook books, never thought of using them for pressing tofu! Practical advise!
Kath says
mh ,
Nope, there’s nothing wrong with that – it’s all how you choose to balance your days. I like to spread my calories out more so I keep dinners more equal to lunch and breakfast.
heather ,
Thanks 🙂
Bridget ,
GET OUT!!! I LOVE Coldstone and we have those around here!! I’ve got to go give it a try soon!
Ansley,
Glad you’re liking the spoon trick 🙂
K
yadi says
I’ve never, ever, ever had tofu… How do I even shop for it? Is there a brand or kind I need to look for? And did you press it to get rid of moisture? Why? This recipe sounds like something I’d like. Maybe I’ll try it with plain chicken breast first.
Brittany says
Your tofu seemed to turn out perfect. I definitely must try that method.
Brittany says
Your tofu seemed to turn out perfect. I definitely must try that method.