Dinner/ Exercise/ Fitness

Early Dinner, Off To Work

Early dinner tonight because I have to go to work. I made something I used to make all the time when I was in college because it was easy, cheap and filling—Pasta and Tofu Steaks with Red Sauce.

I love pasta with a simple marinara. It’s just so comforting and old fashioned…something your mom made for you when you were a kid. However, since there’s little protein in a dish like that, I’ve added pan toasted tofu steaks to the mix and found the combo delicious. Tonight I doctored up a canned marinara sauce (newman’s own) with some kalamata olives, oregano and diced tomatoes. While that was heating on the stove, I then seared a 4 ounce slice of tofu in a dry, nonstick skillet until it was toasty. I ladled the hot tomato sauce over the tofu and 2.5 ounces of whole wheat penne (gotta have energy to work on!) and topped the whole thing with a tbsp of grated parmesan. The result? Delicious, fast and healthy. You have a good combo going with the protein in the tofu and the fiber and whole grains in the pasta. This dinner should keep me on my feet for at least 3 1/2 hours now.

The snack I’m bringing with me tonight is one of those little planters “nut and chocolate” trail mixes (180 calories). I love these but try to only eat them a couple times a week..not everyday. I haven’t really had any nuts though at all today so that’s why I’m choosing this to snack on later.
After lunch, I hit the gym and did a half hour of weight lifting including pushups, free weights and machines. When I got back I popped a 100 calorie mini-bag of popcorn and had a cup of hot tea as a snack.

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This dinner was about 530 calories.

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  • arimcg
    January 16, 2008 at 1:09 am

    I am making it one of my new year’s resolutions to practice with tofu more. Mine always comes out crumbly. The taste is still good, but the texture isn’t great. I tried your freezer method but haven’t had a chance to cook it yet so we’ll see…
    Thanks for the great blog!

  • Sara
    January 16, 2008 at 4:07 am

    What is a tofu steak? Like Morningstar Farms steak strips?

  • Jill
    January 16, 2008 at 5:48 am

    My god, Newman’s Own makes the best pasta sauce, I swear! If I don’t make my own, I have to have theirs or it’s just no good… it’s made me snobby! Have you tried the sockarooni, it’s awesome.

  • jenna
    January 16, 2008 at 6:34 pm

    Sara,

    No, sorry for the confusion! A thick slice of tofu is often referred to just as a “tofu steak”. No morningstar farms (although I do love that stuff)

    Jill,

    I agree! I love it all!

  • katie
    January 16, 2008 at 6:47 pm

    Hi Jenna –

    I’m new to your blog, and just love it. Finally, a balanced approach to eating well and healthfully!

    You probably covered this before my arrival, but I’d really appreciate it if you would repeat your tofu cooking method. I am a vegetarian so rely on tofu pretty regularly and actually don’t mind the texture of raw tofu. But, I’d love a strategy for cooking it without having it turn to crumble!

    Also, I recently rediscovered quiona–what a fabulous, yummy, versatile grain and so simple to prepare! I noticed your quiona based recipe, which I will be trying soon.

    Thanks…so glad to have discovered your blog!