Don’t you just love it when you are looking at recipes online because you have no idea what to make for dinner, and something just jumps out at you that you actually have all the ingredients for?? That happened tonight and the end product was too die for. Seriously. I made a mental (and physical with a pen) note to make this again soon. Caramelized Tofu with Toasted Walnuts, Broccoli and Brown Rice. The recipe I loosely based this on was Heidi Swanson’s Caramelized Tofu recipe from 101cookbooks.com. I made some changes though–subbing the pecans out for walnuts, using broccoli instead of brussel sprouts, adding brown rice for some nutty, whole grain chew….Again–the end product was amazing! I absolutely love finding new ways to cook tofu and this is one of my new favorites! I’m just intrigued by tofu…the mystery of it…the reason why so many people are scared of it…You CAN make delicious tasting tofu at home! It does not have to be just “blah”! This recipe is living proof of that for sure!!
After I ate lunch today I went to the gym and did 25 minutes on the treadmill for some cardio. After my workout I ate the snack I brought along—peanut butter + banana. Hit the spot, for sure! Then…I did another one of my favorite things: I went to Barnes and Noble and read cookbooks for awhile. I do this for a couple reasons: to know the new ones out there, so I don’t have to buy them myself all the time, because I just love food…the list is ongoing. I’ve heard a ton of people talk about the book “Skinny Bitch” lately so I was looking to read a little of that and see what all the fuss was about. I couldn’t find the book, but I did find the new “Skinny Bitch Cookbook”. It was so funny! I almost fell out of my chair laughing…I’d like to find the actual book though to read! Maybe next time.
I also had tea, which I drink a ton of during the day, but I wanted to show you guys my new “honey bears”! My roommate got me a couple of these…basically its just like an all natural honey lollipop you swirl around in your tea. Genius! I used half of one in a cup of Rooibos Madagascar Vanilla Red tea this afternoon.
This dinner was around 450 calories
Amber
February 6, 2008 at 11:23 pmin regards to the book skinny bitch, i had it but then gave it to my vegan friend after reading it and realizing it was primarily focused on turning you into a vegan. however it was a funny book and i did learn a couple of things, and also some disturbing things like what they do to animals before you eat them. so i would suggest it if you want some interesting facts about food, but i would say stay away if you like dairy and/or meat, because i can no longer drink milk by the glass after reading what was once in it. just a heads up! hope this helps
Katie
February 6, 2008 at 11:42 pmJenna,
I am a college student and sometimes go to lunch or dinner at jason’s deli to meet with my friends. I always order a cup of their tomato basil soup…it’s so good!!! But, I dont think it’s the healthiest! It is creamy and so I’m guessing heavy cream or whole milk is apart of it’s ingredients? Any thoughts on just how unhealthy it is?! and could you give me a calorie estimate for about a cup?…if not it’s ok but your guess is probably better than mine! =) Thank you! Keep up the good work with the blog its my favorite!
Sam
February 6, 2008 at 11:46 pmVeggiegirl two questions I love products like boca burgers, garden burger, etc. but hate their really long long list of ingredients. Do you know of any product brands that are more natural. You listed one the other day, but it is much more calories than gardenburgers, etc. do you have any other natural brands that you recommend that are lower in cals (i know you are trying to gain weight, but i’m def. not!)
Also, since alot of us seem interested, would you mind posting your example day in Jenna’s forum area?
Ashley
February 6, 2008 at 11:54 pmHey Jenna!
I was just curious how many tablespoons of peanut butter you typically put in your bananas? It looks like two?
Katherine
February 6, 2008 at 11:55 pmJenna, in one of your post you said something interesting. That if you eat a bigger breakfast you eat less throughout the day. Why do you think that is? For example, if you ate a bigger breakfast, but smaller everything else, wouldn’t you still be equal amount hungry as you always are once your breakfast satiety ends?
mags
February 6, 2008 at 11:55 pmi am definitely one of those people who is “scared” of tofu but your dinner looks amazing!! just might have to venture into the world of tofu one of these days…
jenna
February 6, 2008 at 11:56 pmKatie,
I love jason’s deli. I used to go all the time in college. Its impossible for me to give you a calorie count on their soup though—I might suggest searching online for their nutritional info? I’m sure a cup isn’t that bad. I remember really liking their chili.
linds
February 6, 2008 at 11:56 pmJenna, your dinner looks amazing and I am so tempted to try that recipe but I have been sort of turned off by tofu- I’ve cooked with it about 3 times but the last time I used it the liquid it was packed in smelled terrible and the tofu had this weird taste. It wasn’t past the expiry date.. Do you know what might have happened? I drained it and pressed it between cookbooks and everything. I’m scared to buy tofu now, I don’t want that experience again (it was baaad lol). Do you buy fresh tofu or prepackaged? I bought a packaged brand, if that means anything..
jenna
February 7, 2008 at 12:05 amLinds,
See how to really make tofu (well the way I do it) in my FAQ section. I buy packaged tofu found in the produce section of most grocery stores. Hope that helps!
ps- Always drain your tofu really well!
jenna
February 7, 2008 at 12:07 amAshley,
I don’t measure my PB but I think its about 1 tbsp….I just went by a spoonful and smeared it on.
jenna
February 7, 2008 at 12:08 amKatharine,
i think its because your metabolism gets kicked start and you are full throughout the morning, therefore eat a light lunch..then a snack..then a dinner. I mean, anyone can eat a big breakfast and still eat thousands of calories throughout the day….but it has been based on studies that people don’t overeat as much when they eat a hearty, nutritionally balanced meal first thing.
Serena
February 7, 2008 at 12:29 amSam, I know your question was for VeggieGirl but Boca now has a line of all natural organice products. Still quite a few ingredients, but they’re ones you can pronounce! http://www.bocafoods.com/product_organic.html
dylan
February 7, 2008 at 12:43 amhey it’s a really funny coincidence because i tried making the hot &sour tofu recipe from cooking light and it turned out absolutely disgusting. i’ve been a vegetarian for a while and I’m very scared of tofu made at home but yours looks great! i sauteed the drained tofu in the skillet in a teaspoon of oil but maybe it’s just not enough to make it crispy? because i got those wiggly flimsy squirmy tofu pieces and it didn’t look appetizing in the least. =/ (nor did it taste..but maybe that wasn’t the tofu)
SO i was wondering, besdies for the freezing/draining process, how would you make them crispy withut deep frying or coating them? if possible. (:
arimcg
February 7, 2008 at 1:22 amJenna, maybe I missed it, but when do you add the brown sugar?
Alicia
February 7, 2008 at 2:13 amOoh, I love your lunch, Jenna. Love tofu and vegetables and it helps because I’m asian so find tofu easier to stomach. There are tons of ways to cook tofu dishes. My mum likes to deep fry tofu and we eat it with sweet thai chilli sauce and japanese cucumbers for a side dish.
You can have steamed silken tofu with minced meat/mushrooms on top. There are also many stir fried dishes with tofu and it’s really good!
Oh, and I had a banana with soy nut butter the other day and it really hits the spot.
VeggieGirl
February 7, 2008 at 3:20 amhmmm, I could have sworn I posted my comment here, in response to Sam’s question – where’d it go?? Oh well, I’ll try posting it again:
**Sam:
For veggie burgers that contain less calories (but still have all-natural, few ingredients), I highly recommend the Amy’s brand: http://www.amys.com/products/category_view.php?prod_category=1
hope this helps! :0)
Kath
February 7, 2008 at 12:18 pmJenna,
Tofu looks GREAT!! What’s the trick to getting that perfect brown crust??
Love the honey bears too!
Patricia
February 7, 2008 at 1:11 pmDinner looks great!
Scott @ One Food Guy
February 7, 2008 at 2:09 pmYour caramelized tofu looks great! I love the golden sesame tofu from Whole Foods!