Tofu Lettuce Wraps

Tofu is not loved by many people I know, but this is safe for even meat-lovers. Simple, healthy, cheap and very tasty. Feel free to try a different sauce, or eat it with rice. Maybe add some different veggies.

Marinated, Baked Tofu Wraps :

1 (16 ounce) package firm tofu
4 tablespoons soy sauce
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger or 1 tsp dried ginger
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon oil

Drain tofu and cut into 1" cubes. Mix all other ingredients together except olive oil. Pour marinade over tofu and cover. Refrigerate overnight, or even a day or two. Lightly grease baking pan or sheet with olive oil. Arrange tofu in single layer on sheet, making sure not to forget the garlic and ginger from the marinade dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, flip tofu. Add carrots and cook another 20 minutes. Add sesame seeds and cook five more. Remove from oven and add green onions. Serve in a piece of lettuce topped with peanut sauce.

Peanut Sauce:

1/3 cup crunchy peanut butter
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 squirt siracha, or other hot sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup water
1 tsp vinegar or hoisen sauce

In a small pot, stir together peanut butter, soy sauce, sugar, water, hot pepper sauce and garlic until well mixed. Cook over medium high until thick and creamy.

Brown Fried Rice

This is my dish. The one I know isn't good for me but I just can't get enough. So I decided to give it a whirl at home. I must admit, it's not as easy as the guys at the hibachi grills make it seem. I got rice EVERYWHERE. I guess it would have helped if my grill was as big as my table!

This is a very simple recipe, add any vegetables you like. Add more soy sauce if you just can't get enough(like me), or ham, or even go vegetarian.

For the Rice:

2 C Brown Rice

3 C water

Place in rice cooker until done. Alternate method: bring water to a boil, add rice. Cover and simmer for half an hour or until rice is fluffy.

Fried Rice:

cooked brown rice

2 grilled chicken breast, cubed

1 T oil
2 T butter

1/4 C soy sauce

2 eggs

2 small zucchini squash, cubed

1 C peas

1 bell pepper diced

1 onion, diced

2 green onions, green and white parts

Heat butter and oil on a large griddle. I use the long kind you plug into a wall. Add onion, squash and pepper and cook until they are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the rice and to the side of the pan the two eggs. Once the eggs have started to fry a little, throw everything together and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Throw in the soy sauce, peas and chicken. Let cook another minute or two. Garnish with green onions.