Spicy Sweet and Sour Tofu Steaks

I had this crazy craving for pineapple the other day and whipped up this sweet and sour dish to satisfy my craving. I guess cuz the weather is getting a bit warmer so I'm just craving summer fruits. This was nice and easy to make and yummy. And spicy!

Sweet and Sour Tofu Steaks

Ingredients

1 package extra firm tofu

1/2 pineapple, chopped

7-8 mushrooms, sliced

1/2 onion, diced

2 garlic, minced

1 inch piece ginger, minced

3 Thai chili peppers, minced

1/4 cup veggie stock

1/2 tsp garlic powder

handful cilantro, chopped

1 lime, juiced

Directions:

Cut tofu into thick pieces, about 1-2 inches thick. Sprinkle with garlic powder and 1/2 lime juice. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes. Saute the onions, garlic, ginger and chili peppers in 1/4 cup water (or oil if you like) for 5 minutes. Add all remaining ingredients except for the cilantro and cook for another 10 minutes, stirring often. Add the cilantro and cook for an additional 3 minutes. Serve on top of tofu steaks.

You can serve this dish with a side of brown rice and some leafy greens but I opted for some roasted sweet potatoes and broccoli. I tossed both in a little lemon juice, 1 tsp grapeseed oil and some lemon pepper seasoning. YUMMMMM. I baked them at 375 for 45 minutes.  I like my broccoli a little crispy so if you don't like it like that, steam it or take if out after 30 minutes. :)

I talked about a running injury a little while ago that I got from running 10km's in my Nike Free Run 2's. Well one of my girlfriends is a physiotherapist and offered to do a little tradesies. I cook, she fixes me. YES! I def got the better end of this deal. She worked on me for over an hour I think but who knows cuz it hurt so bad. No idea of time. I def owe her at LEAST one other dinner.

She turned my tiny apartment into a work station for her. She brought her table, pillows and everything. So awesome. But man did it ever hurt!! It took my breath away. But its all for a greater good. I went out the next day and it felt pretty damn good. She said the shoes really did a number on my feet. Everything was jammed up and just plain ole messed. I think every ones feet are different but I DO NOT recommend Nikes for running. Asics all the way. But go to an store like the Running Room so that they can find the right shoe for you.

Peace

xoxo

K

Food prep Sundays

This week, food prep Sunday moved to Saturday. I got the cooking bug and went crazy in my kitchen. I was having a lazy week and needed to take control so I cooked up a storm.

OK, so here's what's in all those containers.

1 cup brown rice x 3

1 cup quinoa x 3

1 cup quinoa, 1 cup mixed beans, 1/2 cup sauteed mushrooms x 3

1 cup boiled yams and 2 cups steamed greens x 3

2 cups roasted broccoli x 1

Mixed Beans:

2 cups dried Sprouted Bean Trio by TruRoots organics

2 roma tomatoes

2 tsp chili powder

1/2 lime, juiced

1 tsp cumin

Cook beans according to package. Then saute all ingredients in 1/4 cup water for 8-10 minutes.

Roasted Broccoli:

2 heads broccoli, chopped

1/2 lemon, juiced

cayenne

salt and pepper

Roast at 375 for 30-40 minutes

Sauteed Mushrooms:

10-15 mushrooms

1 tsp grapeseed oil

salt and pepper

Saute for 4-5 minutes. (This is my new fave snack! omg so good!)

This sets me up for the week. I also peeled a grapefruit and orange and made sure I had a bag of organic apples for snacks. Having readily made nutritious food available ensures you will eat awesome. It also saves some time during the week. Sunday's are typically a relaxing day of sleeping in, a workout, maybe tidy up and do grocery shopping. I like to use it to get ready for the week. I usually don't prepare everything in containers all measured out like this but portion control is important. I'm the worst at portion control. Lol.

Usually I'll just make a big pot of grains and a soup or chili and put some in the fridge and some in the freezer. So do what works for you. But having some prep work done at the beginning of the week makes you make better choices. Chop and bunch of veggies so that you can easily grab some to snack on or throw together a salad. It also is great for lunches! Now you don't have to spend $10-15 on some highly fatty, salty lunch. You will know exactly what's in your lunch and feel good about it. Which will lead you to make more good choices.

I also prepared 2 cups of chickpeas and green mung beans for added protein punch for my meals. I didn't do anything to them. Just used dried ones and cooked them according to the package. Which has worked out well, cuz I've been putting together these burrito bowls lately.

1 cup brown rice, 1 cup chickpeas, 2 tbsp homemade guacamole, a little salsa, hot sauce and some roasted broccoli. YUM!! Satisfying and nutritious. :)

ALSO!! Look at what my AWESOME family did for me for my birthday!!!

All vegan! There's a veggie platter, salsa, tortilla chips, crackers, hummus, bread, and vegan CHOCOLATE cake! YUM.

PLUS my adorable cousin Alex cooked us dinner! She made a veggie stir fry! SO good! I love when ppl cook for me but this just made my year. She's 14. Warmed my cold heart. lol

Look! I'm 19!

Boy did I ever feel special!

Now get in the kitchen on Sunday or whatever day is your "Sunday'. It will cut some time in your prep during the week, set you up to eat awesome all week and get you making better choices.

Peace

xoxo

K

Vegan MoFo Day 13: Panko Tofu with Broccoli

Here's another post for your MoFo's butts. I was too lazy last night to post my pumpkin soup so now I have enough material for a second post on this fine October day. Look at how I spoil you!

Broccoli is by far my fave veg. DEF. There is no contest. It wins hands down. It is high in vitamin A, B and C, , beta carotene, folic acid, phosphorus, potassium, iron, and chromium and has lots of fiber. It's also packed full carotenoids which are antioxidants that are thought to help with weight loss. BOOM!!! Can't argue with that! LOVES it. 


Panko Crusted Tofu:
Ingredients:
1 pkg extra firm tofu
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1 tsp chili flakes
4 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp mirin
1/2 tsp sea salt
Sriracha to taste


Directions:
1. Combine soy sauce, mirin, sea salt and sriracha in a Tupperware container.
2. Combine panko bread crumbs and chili flakes in another Tupperware container.
3. Cut tofu into bite size square bites.
4. Put tofu in the Tupperware with the wet ingredients and shake it!
5. Transfer tofu into the other Tupperware and shake that too!
6. Arrange tofu on a lightly greased baking sheet (I use tin foil and Pam so there's less cleaning up)
7. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Seriously good! The leftovers can be tossed onto a salad or burrito or whatever. SO yum.


Nutty Broccoli:
Ingredients:
1 head broccoli
2 inch piece of ginger
4 garlic cloves
2/3 cup veggie stock (I used Vegeta, 1 tsp plus 2/3 water)
2 tsp agave nectar
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp mirin
1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup water
1 handful peanuts


Directions:
1. Put garlic and ginger into a food processor and process until minced.
2. Add all ingredients except cornstarch to a wok and cook for 4 minutes.
3. Once broccoli is cooked and bright green, add cornstarch mixture and cook for another 2 minutes or until sauce thickens up.
4. Serve on top of brown rice and toss the Panko Crusted Tofu on top. ENJOY!!

Look at how pretty that meal is! And super nutritious. Mmmmmm. Me wants it now. 


There you have it folks. My second post today. Hope y'all enjoyed it. Tonight I'm being cooked for! Yah! Love it when men cook for me. Such a treat. EXCITE.


Peace


xoxo


K

It feels so good!

Today was a great day! I ended up bailing on hiking the Chief this morning as I had a few too many drinks last evening......honestly, started at my fam bbq. lol I got to sleep in without awaking to the alarm clock for the 2ND day in a row! Unheard of!

I went on a gorgeous, hot 10km run around the park. Then did about 40 minutes at the gym. Felt so good! Got a smoothie and headed home to shower and get ready for the day. I'd initially thought I'd be a good girl and clean my messy apartment and other chores around the apt but it was SO nice out. So I skipped that and went to the beach! Spent a good 3.5 hours roasting out at English Bay.

Sundays I always like to go grocery shopping and prep food for the week. I usually cook many dishes. This week I made a tofu salad, steamed broccoli and kale in garlic sauce, and put a soup in the crock pot. I'll let you know how the soup turns out tomorrow, cuz I don't know if its good yet. lol

This recipe came from a friend at work. He didn't have any measurements and I don't use white sugar or table salt, so of course I modified it.

Tofu Salad

1 package bean curd
3 stalks celery, sliced thinly
2 green onion, chopped
3 teaspoons sesame oil
2 teaspoons agave nectar
1 teaspoon sea salt

1. Soak tofu in cold water for 2-3 hours
2. Drain the water and chop the tofu into 2 ince pieces
3. Boil the tofu and sliced celery for 2 minutes
4. Drain and toss in salt, sesame oil, agave nectar and green onions and refrigerate
5. Serve once chilled and Enjoy!

Here is a picture of the tofu. I picked it up at T&T Supermarket.

Next up is the Garlic Broccoli and Kale:

2 heads broccoli, chopped
2 stalks kale, stalks removed
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoon chili flakes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup vegetable stock
1 teaspoon corn starch

Steam broccoli and kale in pan covered with a lid for 2 minutes.  Add the cup of vegetable stalk, minced garlic, garlic powder and chili flakes and cook covered for another 2 minutes. Mix cornstarch and cold water and add to the broccoli mixture to thicken the sauce. Once thickened, serve with brown rice.

And that was my dinner! Delish.

I am a huge Big Brother fan. I was very, very sad to see Jeff voted out. He's so dreamy. lol. More twists were added which makes it exciting as usual.

PS: the new David Guetta album is awesome! Great running music and if you just wanna have a dance party. :)

I'm outties. Hope everyone had as great a day as me.

xoxo

K