Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Cilantro Lime Tofu


Ignore this hot mess of a photo. I made it later in the evening and all natural light was gone, and all my lamps suck.

So, I'm a "gleek". Hardcore. I live for Glee. I'm not ashamed it's the highlight of my week. It's quite possibly my favorite show of all time. And that's saying a lot coming from me. I LOVE my tv shows. I didn't think anything could ever top 30 Rock, or Arrested Development, or Freaks and Geeks, but then Glee came along. And week after week it blows me away. Yes, the story lines move faster then sand (is that even an expression? It is now. It's late and I just ate alphagetti, don't judge) but the stores are some real heart wrenchers. (See Wheels and Home.) If you haven't been living under a rock, then i'm sure you have heard of it. If you live above a rock, and aren't watching it, then what's wrong with you? *
*I am in no way endorsed by Glee, or Fox at all. I'm just a die-hard gleek. 

So what does glee have to do with tofu? I'm getting there. The other day I was reading an interview with  Lea Michelle, who plays Rachel Berry on Glee. In the article she mentioned a dinner she had, "Cilantro Lime Tofu on brown rice with Kale and Black Beans". I was instantly salivating. And not just because there was a picture of Cory Montieth with the article. Although that was a contributing factor.... 

ANYWAYS onto the recipe. Which is why i'm sure someone who is reading a food blog is after. As opposed to gushing over a tv show. I loved the sound of this dish. Lime is one of my favorite citrus fruits, and i'm always looking for more ways to use cilantro other than sprinkled in salads or in guacamole.
So I set to work on this a few days later, subbing the kale for broccoli and omitting the black beans because I forgot to prepare them. While dried beans are certainly cheaper, they are much less convenient. 


Cilantro Lime Tofu

1/2 brick of extra firm tofu, pressed 
1 lime, zested and juiced
1/4 cup of cilantro, chopped
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne 
1/2 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp brown sugar
1-2 tbsp oil (for frying)


Cut the tofu. I made cubes but whatever strikes your fancy will work. Triangles could be fun. 
Finely chop the cilantro and mince the garlic. Add to the juice of one lime with zest, soy sauce, brown sugar, cumin and cayenne. 
Marinate the tofu in the mixture a few hours, or overnight for best flavor. Fry in oil on medium heat, until browned. Flip and continue to brown the other sides.  


2 comments:

Sonia said...

Mmm, that looks delcious! Did you just eat the lime tofu with rice, or are there also beans and kale in there? If so, how did you cook the kale?

Erin {Plus Sized Pretty} said...

It was delicious! I didn't have it with black beans and Kale, because I didn't have any. If you want to try it with them i'd just saute the kale in some oil before the tofu, then mix together once the tofu has been browned on it's own.