130124 – Pan Seared Rosemary Tofu w/spinach and soba

130201, 3:28 pm
Filed under: DINNER

Recipe adapted from The Flexitarian Table.

The TOFU:

Seasoning Mixture

Tofu:

Instructions:

Stir together seasoning mixture
place tofu on a plate in a single layer. cover with salt then rub all over with seasoning mixture. cover with pastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
Take the tofu out of the refrigerator and use a paper towel to wick away moisture. Season both sides with salt and pepper
in a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat until it shimmer. add the tofu, increase the heat to medium high, and cook undisturbed for 4 minutes.
once a golden crust has formed, flip the tofu and cook for another 4 minutes. add the lemon juice to the pan and scrape up any caramelized bits. remove from heat.

Stir-fry Veggies:

1/2 C honey
1/3 C soy sauce
2 t finely grated, fresh ginger
1/2 C water
2 T canola oil
1 lb burdock, scrubbed and cut into matchsticks (I didn’t use this at all)
1 lg, 2 medium, or 3 small leeks (i did three small white and tender green parts only, cut into matchsticks
sea salt or kosher salt
8 oz. carrots, peeled and cut into matchsticks
2 T sesame seeds, toasted
2 scallions, white parts only

in a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, ginger and water.
in a large heavy skillet, heat the oil over high. add the burdock and cook, stirring, for two minutes. add the leaks, pinch of salt and cook until the leeks wilt, about 2 minutes. pour in the honey mixture and bring to a boil. reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
stir in the carrots, cover the pan again, and simmer until the veggies are tender, 15 to 20 minutes longer.
uncover the pan, reduce the heat and simmer until the juices have reduced into a glaze.

Sobo and spinach:

cook sobo in a large pot of lightly salted water until al dente – about 6 minutes. Drain, reserving 2 cups of cooking water.
wipe the pot dry and set over medium heat. add sesame oil and cook garlic for 30 seconds. add the spinach, raise the heat and cook, stirring, until it’s wilted.
return noodles and reserved cooking water to the pot.

Divide brothy noodles among 4 bowls, then veggies, and top with tofu. sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and pass a bottle of soy sauce.

two skinny jenkins