Crispy Cajun Tofu with asparagus and egg noodles February 11, 2008

It is an adventurous week of firsts for me! Last night…tofu! Here is a little background information. I decided a month ago to become vegetarian. With that being said, you know I had to make friends with tofu. I have been a little less hesitant around it in the last six months or so, but we still haven’t got to know each other enough. Yesterday we made plans for dinner! Now I have been told that tofu is very hard to prepare the right way. Someone had advised me that you have to make sure that the tofu is very dry. I am here to inform you that it is easy to make tofu and the first time was a huge success! Although egg noodles are not my favorite side dish, it is one of my boyfriend’s faves. You can substitute anything you desire; I thought jasmine rice would be nice.

Ingredients

1 lb. extra firm tofu

1 bunch fresh asparagus

1 lb. egg noodles

2 tbs. minced garlic

1/4 cup olive oil

1 bag Andy’s fish/chicken breading hot and spicy

To prepare:

1. Start by drying your tofu. This takes the longest. Make sure you get as much of the water out of it as possible. After tofu is dry, cut into equal size cubes. Dredge cube in the Andy’s hot and spicy breading. Set coated tofu on plate off to the side.

2. Wash asparagus and place in pan for roasting. Add minced garlic, salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil on top and kinda toss it a bit so all asparagus can feel a little oil. Roast in oven at high heat for 15 minutes or so.

3. To cook egg noodles, all you have to do is boil some water. Once the water is rapidly boiling, add noodles. Cook until tender.

4. Back to the tofu. I added vegetable oil about 3 inches deep to a regular frying pan and turned on medium high heat. Once oil was hot the coated tofu is added. Stir occasionally. You can feel them getting crispy as you turn them so all sides are exposed to the heat. Remove from pan when desired consistency is achieved. Place them on a paper towel lined plate to soak up any grease. Plate it and enjoy!

My first time with tofu was great and I will probably go back for more. I am really interested in learning how to bake the tofu. I really enjoy it that way on sandwiches. It’s a lot healthier as well. See you next meal.

Jessica’s Creamy Carrot Ginger Soup February 6, 2008

Creamy Carrot Ginger Soup

I made my first soup from scratch last night and it was tasty! There is definitely something therapeutic about chopping and mincing fresh produce. The aromas that wafted through my kitchen were more enticing than the usual smell of frozen pizza. There were very few ingredients needed so this was a cheap meal, semi healthy and freshly prepared. I used a recipe from Allrecipes.com and tweaked it to suit my needs. Here it is.

Ingredients

2 Teaspoons canola oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

2 lbs. carrots, medium dice

2 teaspoons ginger

4 cups vegetable broth

2 cups half and half

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup yellow curry powder

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and celery until translucent and tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in carrots, ginger, and vegetable broth, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until carrots are tender. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
2. Transfer to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Return to soup pot, add half and half, and heat until warmed through. Add brown sugar and curry powder. Blend well. Season with salt and pepper, and serve.

I used some brown sugar as a garnish to every bowl that was served. Corn muffins are a delicious accent to this soup. It was really easy and I enjoyed the time I spent preparing the soup.

I love ginger! To enhance the flavor: at the simmer stage I threw in my leftover chunk of ginger root, it gave my soup just the kick I wanted.

 

AAF Auction February 6, 2008

For all you animal lovers in Cincy, the Animal Adoption Foundation will be holding it’s annual Waggin’ Tails Charity Auction. The date is March 1st, the place is Tori’s Station in Fairfield. If you are looking for ways to help, there is still plenty of time. They are looking for donations for the auction. These could be gift cards, sports memorabilia, trips/hotel stays, golf packages, jewelry or anything pet related. Tickets are only $40 a person or $280 for a table of eight. If you are going to attend the auction call 513-737-PETS or 513-658-5426 to make reservations. If you want to make a donation, which may be tax deductable, or have general questions, please call 513-737-PETS. Eric Johnson is the director there and he can answer all your questions.

This is a no kill organization!

2480 State Rte. 27

Hamilton, Ohio

45013

www.aafpets.com or aafpets@yahoo.com