Vegetarian Tofu Stew

Apologies for the unappealing-looking dish. I cooked this in the midst of clearing out the fridge the other day. I was also in need of a one-dish dinner that stays light (yet nutritious) because we had too much for lunch buffet. So, dinner was a simple tofu stew-like soup, in which the tofu - the protein, double-up as the "carbs" (adds bulk and substance)

Tofu stews are typically cooked with poultry/meat (chicken, pork) as the latter will be the main flavor ingredient (vs the bland tofu). However, today I will execute the VEGETARIAN version without losing good natural flavors. One of the secret ingredients I am using, needs no further introduction. Cooking Tip: My favorite secret weapon - tomatoes. And if you are looking for a clearer broth (like the above) with the addition of tomatoes, the trick is this: (1) Don't use a lot (half a tomato, cut into wedges will do, and don't mash them too much while cooking); (2) Don't add them too early.

White is in fact a color. And white foods can be good too. Think Garlic.Onion. Daikon. Cabbage. Napa Cabbage. Tofu. Nutritious, aren't they? What other WHITE food can you think of ?


Vegetarian Tofu Stew
Ingredients: 2 stalks green onion, finely sliced, separate white and green parts; 2 garlic, finely diced; 1 celery, thinly sliced; 1/2 tomato, cut into 3-4 wedges; 4-6 green beans, thinly sliced, 6-8 crimini mushroom(or any mushrooms your choice), thinly sliced; 1 packet tofu, diced to small bite-sizes; 1tsp soy sauce, dashes of white pepper; salt to taste, 1 tsp sesame oil

Directions: Fry the white portions of green onions, garlic and celery till fragrant. Add the green beans then mushrooms and fry to combine them all. When green beans and mushrooms are slightly tender, add the tomatoes, and gently combine tomatoes into the mixture. Add the tofu, add some water, cover the pot and allow the entire mixture to simmer at low heat. When slightly bubbling, add soy sauce, white pepper then add salt to taste. When the entire mixture is cooked, turn off heat, add in garnish of green onions (green portions). Before serving, add the sesame oil into the serving bowls and gently ladle the tofu stew into the bowls.

Just everyday cooking. Hope you like it.

I am sharing this soup/stew with Souper Sunday at Kahakai Kitchen, My Meatless Mondays and Hearth and Soul.

Garlic and Ginger are almost used in my everyday cooking too. This vegetarian dish with garlic as one of the aromatics will also be shared with Healing Food - Ginger and Garlic for Feb 2011.

Tag: soup, stew, tofu stew

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