Fried Tofu, Louisiana Boil, Sesame Noodles, Zu-ghetti, Chickpea Salad (vegan and GF)

I have five NOT recipes to share with you today.  These are ones that are just kind of thrown together for quick meals.  I'll list some simple ingredients and a few techniques, but not entire recipes.  If you really want one of the recipes or more information, just let me know and I'll send it off to you. Enjoy!



fried tofu

 FRIED TOFU



Simple enough to just cut up a cube of tofu into squares or triangles, dredge in cornstarch and/or cornmeal and then fry until crisp.  I added a little salt, garlic and wasabi powder to the cornmeal mix to spice it up.  Dips are honey mustard and sweet chili sauce.  We had this as one of our "munchie lunchie" meals with honeydew melon and watermelon.  I also served up some fresh veggie dippers with it.



Louisiana Boil


 

LOUISIANA BOIL 

Not your traditional shrimp or crayfish boil, but great flavor.  I use Zatarain's shrimp boil (a liquid seasoning you add to the water).  Keep in mind that that longer you leave something in the boil, the spicier it will get.  In a big ol' pot, I added a can of beer, a little olive oil, salt and squeezed in a whole lemon.  Then I added red potatoes, red peppers, yellow peppers, green peppers, red onion, zucchini, corn on the cob and some vegan sausages. Really any veggies would work in this.  The best way to cook this is in a huge pot over an open fire, then dump it out on a picnic table covered in newspaper.  Then everyone just digs in.  Serve it up with melted butter on the side.  All good. (This Zatarain's is a favorite way for making corn on the cob around here.  A little of that seasoning in your water adds a great kick.)



sesame noodles

 SESAME NOODLES (GF if made with rice noodles)


For those days when you see Rachael and her 30 minute meals and think to yourself, "who the hell has 30 minutes?!?" here's a total cheater meal.  I used angelhair pasta that cooks in 4 minutes (I've also used rice noodles or ramens without the sauce packet in a pinch, or even turned it into fake "fried rice" made with Minute Rice).  I used a bag of stir-fry veggies that you steam in the microwave.  I sauteed up some cubes of tofu in a little oil.  Tossed it all together with the a simple stir-fry sauce, and sprinkled on some toasted sesame seeds.

SIMPLE STIR-FRY SAUCE
3 T. Soy Sauce
3 T. Rice Vinegar
2 t. Sesame Oil
1-2 T. honey (or sugar or agave nectar)

I served it up with some spring rolls I had ready to cook and fresh cherries and peaches.





 ZU-GHETTI



zu-ghetti and chickpea salad



That's zucchini spaghetti for those of you who are wondering.  Use a spiral slicer or just a veggie peeler to slice your raw zucchini into long, thin strips. You can use it cold/raw, or you can blanch it for a quick minute to heat it.  Toss zucchini with a little red onion, salt, pepper and olive oil and then serve like spaghetti.  We topped our with a fire-roasted tomato and mushroom sauce.  Then we served it with garlic bread and Chickpea Salad. 


CHICKPEA SALAD

1 can chickpeas (garbanzos), drained
1 small cucumber, seeded and diced small
1 tomato, seeded and diced small
1-2 T. diced red onion (or whatever onion you have)
2 T. olive oil
2 T. red wine vinegar (or white balsamic vinegar)
1 T. honey or sugar
dill weed, salt and pepper

Toss it all together and chill before serving.