*I realize today is Tuesday, but…
Let’s discuss a word (and phenomenon) I hate: mancave. Without getting into the disgusting particulars of what the word could actually stand for, I also hate the idea that men deserve some kind of room, usually in the basement, away from the clucking of their wife, to put all their manstuff (also gross), from gadgets to gizmos to smelly socks. Or whatever it is men imagine happens down there (that’s what she…).
Sorry. I’ll stop. We’re talking about food here, folks.
The only word I hate as much as mancave is manfood. What exactly is manfood? Big, meaty, greasy foods? Meals a gal can’t have but watches from across the table while she chomps on a “full sized” salad?
Here at Casa Quick Cook Rice, we define manfood as anything eaten by soon-to-be-J.D. As much as he wont admit it, he’s not really into veggies or fruit or anything other than pizza and pasta. And since I’m really into veggies and fruit, we’re often diving between his and hers.
I won’t deny sneaking a bite from the manfood (now officially grossed out) every once in a while. It’s cool. This manfood is also womanfood. And it’s delicious. Not to mention vegan.
How’s that for equal rights?
Orange You Glad We Shared This Tofu
(vegan, not exactly “healthy,” serves 2-4)
(Soon-to-be-J.D.’s notes are in italics)
Orange Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 T canola oil (or vegetable oil)
- 2 pinches red pepper flakes
- 1-inch grated ginger
- 3 T soy sauce (try to use a high-quality brand like tamari, nama shoyu, or Braggs Liquid Aminos)
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar
- 2 oranges, peeled and sectioned (I like to use navel)
- zest of 1/2 orange
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 T of water
- 1 T arrowroot powder or corn starch (I used arrowroot)
1. Heat oil in a small saucepan. Add red pepper flakes and ginger. Cook until fragrant (doesn’t take long).
2. Add rice vinegar, orange sections, orange zest, sugar, and soy sauce. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes.
3. In a small bowl, whisk arrowroot with 2 T of water to create a slurry. Add to the sauce. Boil for an additional 5 minutes.
4. Reduce to a simmer while preparing tofu (you just want to keep it warm).
Tofu Ingredients:
- 1 package extra or super firm tofu, cubed (make your life easier and buy it pre-cubed)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- Peanut oil (or other high heat oil)
1. Place flour and tofu in a tupperware with a lid or a ziploc bag. Shake!
2. Add enough peanut oil to coat entire bottom of pan with oil. Heat oil on medium-high.
3. Make sure your oil is hot by sprinkling a drop or two of water into the pan. If it sizzles, you’re good to go. Add tofu. Flip tofu in the pan if you’re skilled with a pan. Otherwise flip tofu with tongs. Cook until the cubes are golden brown.
4. Line a plate with a paper towel. Remove tofu with slotted spoon and place on paper towel.
Pour orange sauce over tofu and serve with steamed broccoli and jasmine rice. This manfood is so good you’ll want to make out, not take out.
