1.12.2012

2012: Not a Strong Start


So....."blog more often" was clearly not one of my New Year's Resolutions.  Not a strong start.  2012 is starting to look like the 400 meter dash after the gun goes off, and I'm still tying my shoelaces.

I've been packing a sorry excuse of a lunch, even though I'm at the grocery store buying all sorts of Real Food like raspberries, etc.  "Tomorrow, I'm going to pack a good lunch!"

I've been waking up later in the mornings than I intend to the night before. That always happens.  "Tomorrow, i'm going to wake up earlier!"   Ambitions start lofty at 11pm and then somewhere between then and 7am, a REM cycle decides to take a big nasty crap on your ambition.  "This time, i'm really going to wake up earlier!"   That song and dance seems to be on Repeat lately.  Actually it's just song.  No dance.  Unless you consider me running in the morning from the kitchen to the closet to the garage back to the closet...a dance.  In some countries, maybe.  I've seen a similar dance in the movie Coming to America.  Parents should make their kids watch this dance before the first day of school.  "If you don't wake up on time, this is the dance you will have to do in order to get dressed and make it to the bus on time"

I currently owe eight people a phone date.  This would be ideal if I was in high school, and the phone dates were with cute boys.  But now, I've waited so long to talk to these people that I know I'm getting a lecture before proceeding with real conversation...so that, in turn, triggers further delay and procrastination. ...And they aren't boys.

What HAVE i done this year. 
  • I've been using anti-aging cream
  • I've been exfoliating.  Eh?  Shedding more cells in the universe. 
  • I stopped wearing my lounge pants (bourgie pajamas) to the grocery store....but I am wearing other pants in lieu of those...I'm not going to the store pant-less.  (Can pant ever be singular like that?...Why was is ever plural to begin with?) 
  • I started wearing clean clothes to work...or at least Febreze the clothes I plan to wear.
 So far my New Year resolutions concern improvement of the exterior me. 

For January, this is good.  I'll just work from the outside in.  Maybe by December, I'll discuss my bone health and how I've reduced risk of getting osteoporosis.

The following recipe has nothing to do with anything I've been talking about.  But it's yummy.



Sesame-Roasted Tofu with Satay Sauce and Broccoli

by Rose Elliot Vegetarian Supercook

(I loooove this cookbook.  She has many books and I think she is very creative!  This recipe is really quick and the ingredients are easily available.  I also think this is a great recipe to try on your kids.  It's a finger food and the dipping sauce is a sweet complement.  A good protein meal.)

Serves 4.
Ingredients:
1 lb tofu, drained
4 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons roasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 medium-sized bunches of broccoli, trimmed and broken into florets

Satay Sauce
4 heaped tablespoons peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
1 14-ounce can coconut milk  (I omit this and add water and some rice wine vinegar to thin it out)
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger root
½ teaspoon dried red chili flakes
2-3 teaspoons honey
4 tablespoons chopped cilantro, to garnish
Directions:

1.  Blot tofu dry on paper towels and cut into thin strips about ¼ inch thick. Put the strips on a plate in a single layer, pour the soy sauce on top, then turn the strips so that they are all coated.

2.  Heat the sesame oil in a grill pan or shallow roasting pan under a preheated hot broiler. Put the tofu strips in the pan in a single layer and scatter with half the sesame seeds. Immediately turn them over and coat with the remaining sesame seeds.

3.  Put the pan back onto or under the heat and grill or broil for about 10 minutes, or until the tofu is crisp and browned, then turn the pieces over and broil or grill on the other side.

4.  Meanwhile, make the satay sauce. Put the peanut butter into a saucepan and gradually stir in the coconut milk to make a smooth sauce, then add the garlic, ginger, and chili. Heat gently, taste, and add honey to taste. Remove from the heat and set aside until required.

5.  About 5-10 minutes before the tofu is ready, heat ½ inch depth of water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the broccoli, cover, and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until just tender. Drain.

6.  Put some broccoli, tofu, and a serving of satay sauce on each plate, scatter the sauce with some cilantro and serve.

22 comments:

  1. Oh this looks delicious and the satay sauce sounds good enough to eat with a spoon!
    p.s. Good job on using the anti-aging cream AND exfoliating! :-)

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    1. Funny funny post! '...big nasty crap on your ambition...' hilarious! I'm with you on that.

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    2. Rosh - thank u! i learn from the best! :)

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    3. Naturecat- thanks for the feedback! i love to know whats funny to my readers!!

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  2. Ok, you are hilarious. Glad you're not going to the market naked! I LOVE this post. and of course the satay looks amazing!
    P.S. I love lounge pants and where them absolutely anywhere I can get away with it! Really!

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    1. Thanks valentina!! and regarding the lounge pants, no worries. im not judging.. i just know that when i get in them its hard to break out of them. :)

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    1. Thanks biz. im just thrilled that i can reply to yall now!!!

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  4. hehehehe.. still laughing from your post. This was funny. Now I have to rent Coming to America and watch that dance. I love the tofu sticks - will make for a great after school snack for the kids.

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    1. Rashmi thanks so much. let me know what simone says...even if its not positive. :)

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  5. I definitely need to make this!! I love delicious tofu, love broccoli and love peanut sauce.

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    1. Me toi! peanut sauce is my weakness! esp with those soft rice paper spring rolls!!

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  6. New Year's resolutions are overrated. Enjoy your new face & fresh clothes. This recipe looks like something my son would like. I'll give it a whirl.

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    1. Sarah!! its been too long! how r u? i could really use another meeting with LEK. :) hugs...

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  7. It fills me up with good energy when I read your post first thing in the morning:) January 1st, first day of school, every Monday - I am invariably ambitious at all of them, and it invariably passes. I don't have a problem with getting up early (because I have to), but going to bed on time is a different matter (the blessed silence is like a drug:)
    I am somewhat of a tofu novice, determined to find tasty ways to prepare it (the way my husband makes is is definitely NOT tasty). I bought a block, which is sitting in my fridge now and I am pretty geeked about using your recipe (I love sesame seeds!)

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  8. Lana - thanks for stopping by. I feel the same way about your writing. Tofu will really just take the taste of whatever it's in, so the Peanut Satay sauce is the shining star here, but the tofu "sticks" are an excellent vehicle. And it looks pretty! i'd love to know what you think! :)

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  9. Can't wait to try this!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and posting a comment Jenny!

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  10. Amee~ I have just discovered you and had a great laugh @ your post! I totally get the lounge pants comment. I practically live in my yoga pants and my daughter says "but mom you don't even do yoga". One of my new years resolutions was to only wear yoga pants while doing yoga but it's 28 days in and it hasn't happened yet! Can't wait to see your next post:)

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    1. Thank you Kelly! Glad to hear the feedback! loved your daughters' response too. :) Why don't you just make it a Chinese New Year resolution. That always buys you time. :)

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  11. I'm glad you decided to not go to the store pant-less. Smart move.

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    1. Thanks, Susan! glad you stopped by. No shirt no shoes no service...so if I go without pants, I should not have any problems, right? :)

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