Tofu-y Goodness

Believe it or not, this dinner has a miniscle amount of fat! It's also high in protein, includes a serving of veggies, and once you get the hang of it can be made in half an hour. One of the more important things I've learned in school so far is how much quicker things can be expedited if you have everything ready before you start cooking. I sort of knew this before but never really did it. Honestly, mise en place (fancy French term for having your crap together in advance) makes cooking so much easier. I highly reccommend doing it, even if you're just making dinner at home. It's very good practice for cooking in more stressful situations.

Thai Tofu over Green Rice, adapted from Bon Appetit

2 cups chopped cilantro, packed
1 inch piece of ginger, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 chili of your choice, chopped
2 limes
2 tsp soy or tamari sauce
3/4 cup light coconut milk
1 cup basmati rice
1lb firm tofu, cubed (the firmer the tofu, the less oil you need)
2 tsp vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp Thai red curry paste
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved lengthwise
1/4 tsp fish sauce, optional
1/4 cup peanuts or cashews, chopped

In a food processer or blender, combine cilantro, ginger, garlic, chili, 2 TB coconut milk, juice of 1/2 lime and soy/tamari sauce to taste. Blend well. Taste for salt.

Bring 1 1/2 cups of water to a boil. Add salt to taste and rice. Return to a boil and then lower to a bare simmer. Cook about 14 minutes, or until rice is done.

Heat oil in large saute pan. When hot but not smoking, add tofu. Cook about 10 minutes, stirring every so often until tofu is lightly browned on all sides. Combine 1/4 cup coconut milk, curry paste, soy/tamari and fish sauce. Add to the tofu. Cook until simmering. Add the tomatoes and cook until just beginning to soften. Remove from heat.

Combine cooked rice with cilantro sauce. Mix well. Plate rice and spoon tofu and tomatoes over. Garnish with chopped nuts, lime wedges and cilantro sprigs. Serve.

P.S. No one's made a guess yet about the mystery produce. Don't you want to win an as of yet unannounced prize?