Savory Crispy Tofu

Simple. Quick. Delicious. These little tofu bites would pair great with steamed broccoli or any other steamed veggie. They're light and have a great flavor. I'm excited to see how they do as leftovers tomorrow.

Savory Crispy Tofu
Source: Whole Foods Recipe App.

Takes at least 3 hours to marinate, a total of 20 minutes, max, to prepare, and 10 minutes to bake. Serves 3-4 people.

Ingredients:

• 1 16 oz package of extra-firm tofu
• 1/2 cup sweet and hot mustard
• 1/2 cup seasoned dried bread crumbs
• pinch of chile peppers
• olive oil or cooking spray

Directions:

1. Cut tofu in 3 equal sections lengthwise.  Then cut each section in half lengthwise and then again in half widthwise, for a total of 12 pieces.
2. Arrange several pieces of paper towel on a plate and place the tofu on top. Cover the tofu with several more pieces of paper towel and press lightly to remove excess water from the tofu.
3. Arrange the tofu in a container large enough to store the pieces in a single layer.  Using a knife or brush, spread the mustard evenly on all sides of the tofu.  Cover container and place in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, or overnight.
4. After tofu is marinated, preheat oven to 375.
5. Transfer bread crumbs to a large plate.  Add pepper flakes and stir together. Coat each piece of the tofu in the bread crumb mixture and place on a lightly greased baking sheet.
6. Bake for 10 minutes, or until brown and crispy.

Cleanup Factor:
Once again, LIGHT!  Pick up scraps and wash cutting board, baking sheet, plate, and other small misc utensils.

The First Post

What do people do when a new year approaches and last year's grease and grime needs to be polished and shined?  They create new year's resolutions.  (Yes, I rhymed to mimic the cliché concept of a new year's resolution.)  Not to be one of those people, but I simply thought starting something new, fresh, healthy, whatever you want to call would be good for me.  2011 was a rough year and I'd like to be more active in the world around me.  In other words, I feel like I need to experience things more thoroughly.  Therefore, I've taken it upon myself to document one of my goals in hopes of staying more in touch with it.  This goal, er new year's resolution, is to make a unique vegan meal at least once a week, every week for the entire year.

Yeah, this seems small to some, but to those who know me, this will be a project.  Although I maintain a pretty much vegan diet (I eliminate dairy and eggs from my vegetarian diet, but I do still eat honey), most days of the week I eat cereal or pb&j for dinner.  I knoooowwwww, it's terrible and I knnoooowww, I'm completely unhealthy, but fooock, I'm tired when I get home from my one hour, three bus transfers, commute home from Washington, DC.  And yeah, I realize some have it way worse, but that's why I'm trying to change!  I want to eat healthy and I think by preparing a well-balanced vegan meal at least once a week, I will have left-overs and possibly gain more experience in cooking, which could lead to more willingness to cook food that doesn't come out of a box several times a week.

I bought a couple vegan cook books and consolidated my vegan recipes from the past.  The goal is to make something unique every week.  I do not want to make the same thing twice!!  If I do make a repeat, that meal will not count as a my one meal for the week.

So here it goes.