Amber's Japan-style Tofu Meal

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1/2 lb firm tofu, frozen and thawed (you don't have to do this, but it will help the tofu soak up more flavor)
• 1 tablespoon tamari
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons tomato juice (i use low-sodium v8)
• 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3 cups quinoa (about 2/3 cup uncooked will yield this amount, use 1-1/3 cups of water)
• 4 cups green beans (i had a combination, or any other steamed vegetables you like, or salad...) or 4 cups yellow wax beans (i had a combination, or any other steamed vegetables you like, or salad...)
• 1 tablespoon tamari
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons tomato juice (i use low-sodium v8)
• 1 teaspoon miso, a bit generous (i use dark-colored rice, or kome, miso)
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 scallion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons alfalfa sprouts (or other sprouts)

Recipe

• 1 slice the tofu into 4 horizontal slabs. gently press them between a tea towel to remove some of their moisture. then slice into strips.
• 2 stir together the marinade ingredients in a shallow dish. add the tofu strips, and flip gently (a wooden utensil works well) to coat. let marinate for 20 minutes- 1 hour.
• 3 meanwhile, cook your quinoa, and let it rest, partially covered, off the heat when it's done.
• 4 when the quinoa is cooked, you can also start steaming the beans and preparing the tofu:.
• 5 whisk everything for the sauce, except the miso, in a small saucepan.
• 6 heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. drain any extra marinade from the tofu strips, transfer them to the pan and fry till golden-brown. set aside.
• 7 add the reserved marinade to the pan with the sauce ingredients and place it over medium heat. quickly bring to a boil, whisking well to remove lumps of cornstarch. after it cooks for two minutes, remove from heat and stir in the miso.
• 8 to serve, arrange 4 tofu strips on a bed of quinoa on each plate. spoon sauce over top, and sprinkle with scallion and sprouts. divvy up the beans on the side, and serve. hope you enjoy!