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Posted on Wed, Apr 27, 2011 : 4:57 a.m.

Asian-Styled Tofu with Asparagus

By Peggy Lampman

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Asian-Styled Tofu with Asparagus

Peggy Lampman | Contributor

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Here's a recipe that puts to good use stray bits and pieces of leftover veggies; odds and ends which made a tasty, healthy meal.

As always, regard this recipe as a template to use your leftovers to their best advantage.
I'd imagine bok choy, broccoli or spinach would be delicious, for instance, as a substitute for asparagus.

Yield: 2 servings (4, 2 1/2 by 3 1/2-inch pieces)
Time to drain tofu: 30-60 minutes
Active time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound firm or extra-firm tofu, cut into 4 rectangular pieces
2-3 tablespoons sesame or peanut oil
1/4 cup sliced onion
1 cup (1-inch pieces) thin asparagus, ends discarded or saved for stock
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1 small bell pepper, any color, seeds and ribs removed and diced
Toasted sesame seeds

Directions

1. Place tofu rectangles on paper towels for 30 minutes to 1 hour, weighted if desired, and allow to drain.
2. Preheat a large saute pan to medium-high. Add 1 tablespoon oil. When oil has heated but is not smoking, add the asparagus and cook 1-2 minutes or until they are just begin to bend. Remove from heat and reduce heat to medium.
3. Add and additional tablespoon of oil and add onions; cook one minute. Place tofu in pan. Cook 3-5 minutes on each side, or until tofu is golden brown, adding additional oil to pan if dry. Add 1/2 cup water, soy sauce and ginger, reduce heat slightly, and cook until liquid is almost absorbed by tofu, turning tofu once. Add diced pepper to pan and return asparagus to pan and heat through.
4. Serve tofu topped with asparagus and a light sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Looking for a specific recipe? Click here for dinnerFeed's recipe search engine; type the recipe or ingredient into the search box. I am a real-time food writer and photographer posting daily feeds on my website and in the Food & Drink section of Annarbor.com. You may also e-mail me at peggy@dinnerfeed.com.

Comments

Ann English

Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 12:41 a.m.

I can already see myself using two large saute pans for this recipe, one for lightly browning the tofu on both sides. Your tofu most likely doesn't come in 9 cakes inside a big tub filled with water, like Rosewood Tofu is packaged and sold at the Tsai Grocery in Village Centre, just south of Oak Valley Center. But Rosewood tofu is what I've often drained and browned for Tofu Cacciatore, using 8 instead of the 4 cakes it calls for, and I may try using Rosewood's firm tofu for your recipe. I'm glad it calls for peanut oil.