Tofu: the tasteless, slimy block of bean curd that according to omnivorous stereotypes, accounts for 90% of every vegetarian's diet.
The second biggest stereotype surrounding the vegetarian lifestyle? The myth that maintaining a plant-based diet is ridiculously expensive.
While the potential health concerns associated with consuming too much soy prevent me from incorporating it into every meal, tofu is pretty cool because it's high in protein, relatively low in calories and can be used in a variety of different textures and recipes.
Today's Bitchen in the Kitchen recipe defies both of these stereotypes by teaching you how to prepare your own orange tofu glaze in 4 minutes, using only 4 ingredients---a cheaper alternative to a habitual Chinese takeout habit. (My latest obsession is a pan-Asian vegan joint, Zhu, which is dangerously walkable from my house.)
Sauce: 1/3 cup of barbecue sauce. 1/3 cup of orange marmalade. 3 tablespoons of soy sauce. (Optional) sesame seeds. + tofu
Cut up your tofu in cubes. Or slices. Or triangles. Or whatever. Unlike a grilled cheese sandwich, the shape does not determine awesomeness.
Get your tofu cooking on the stove. I like to sautee my tofu with a little red palm oil, so it doesn't stick and a little paprika for a little kick. However, any oil will do. I don't discriminate.
While your tofu is getting hot and fresh out the kitchen, combine all of your saucey ingredients (BBQ sauce + soy sauce+ marmalade) in one bowl and mix em around to make your glaze.
Once the tofu is slightly browned, pour your glaze into the pan, and let it sizzle alongside your tofu. The sesame seeds were actually a last-minute addition. I figured they would be wicked expensive and wasn't going to bother (because let's face it, I'm cheap and lazy). However, I was able to pick up 1/2 lb from the Greek market at the end of my street for $2.50. Now taking recommendations for what to do with 1/2 lb (minus 1 tabelspoon) of sesame seeds.
And boom. Your orange glazed tofu is ready to serve with rice. Or eat directly out of the pan. This entire recipe cost a whopping $3.60 in ingredients, which breaks down to 80 cents per serving. A scoop of organic brown rice will set you back an additional 35 cents. Ballin' on a budget
Plus, if every American replaced one meal of chicken per week with this awesome recipe, the carbon dioxide savings would be the same as taking more than half a million cars off of the road.
Happy Bitchen in the Kitchen!
