Fried tofu? Who knew, right? YUM

Oh fried tofu... how I love you...  

Ingredients:

1 block extra firm tofu
1/2 cup cornstarch (give or take)
1 egg
1/2 cup panko crumbs (give or take). I used a spicy blend. YUM!
Vegetable Oil for frying 

Ingredients:
Fried Tofu -
1 block (12.3oz or 349g) of extra firm tofu – I used Mori-Nu Silken Tofu
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 tsp ground white pepper
1 egg
1/2 cup panko flakes
Vegetable oil

Sesame-Soy Dipping Sauce -
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tsp rice wine vinegar
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp sesame oil
3 cloves garlic – minced
1 serrano red chili pepper (or two Thai bird’s eye chili peppers for a spicy version) - deseeded and minced
1 spring onion – chopped
Sprinkles of sesame seeds

Read more: http://blog.seasonwithspice.com/2012/09/crunchy-golden-fried-tofu-recipe.html#ixzz2CrsRdcbE

Ingredients:
Fried Tofu -
1 block (12.3oz or 349g) of extra firm tofu – I used Mori-Nu Silken Tofu
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 tsp ground white pepper
1 egg
1/2 cup panko flakes
Vegetable oil

Sesame-Soy Dipping Sauce -
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tsp rice wine vinegar
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp sesame oil
3 cloves garlic – minced
1 serrano red chili pepper (or two Thai bird’s eye chili peppers for a spicy version) - deseeded and minced
1 spring onion – chopped
Sprinkles of sesame seeds

Read more: http://blog.seasonwithspice.com/2012/09/crunchy-golden-fried-tofu-recipe.html#ixzz2CrsRdcbE

I feel like there should be a fanfare going off here... dun... dun... dun... DUN NUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tofu. 

So, slice your tofu into bite size pieces. Slice carefully because even though its extra firm it is still fragile and can crumble if you don't treat it carefully.

Seperate your cornstarch, egg, and panko into three bowls.

Here's the really hard part. Dip it in the cornstarch, then the egg, then cover in panko. You there? Was it too difficult?

Fry. Fry. Fry. Until golden brown. 

See? If I can do it. Anyone can.

I love love love jasmine rice so I served mine over a bed of it. Trader Joe's sells these HUGE bags for cheap. It takes longer than minute rice to cook but the flavor is so worth it.

Don't forget the sauce!!!

Ingredients: 

1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
1 tsp rice wine vinegar
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 serrano red chili, seeded and minced - sometimes these are hard to find but I got mine at Wholefoods awhile back when I was searching for Paneer, they're in the spice aisle.
Green onions, chopped

Mix. Serve. Did you get that?

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tsp rice wine vinegar
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp sesame oil
3 cloves garlic – minced
1 serrano red chili pepper (or two Thai bird’s eye chili peppers for a spicy version) - deseeded and minced
1 spring onion – chopped
Sprinkles of sesame seeds

Read more: http://blog.seasonwithspice.com/2012/09/crunchy-golden-fried-tofu-recipe.html#ixzz2Crto8YNn

Enjoy!

Minnie Mouse!

I had to share because these turned out super cute! :) Anything for my girl.

Not really a fancy recipe... in fact... for once... I used BOXED cake mix. GASP! But... the frosting is from scratch, so I guess I made up for it.

Teehee... vanilla and chocolate cupcakes. Purple and pink frosting. Piped with love and defrosted mini oreos for the ears. 

*pats self on back*

Yup... I really did just pat myself on the back. :)

Sappy, sappy note...

Well, it's been awhile since I've been able to get back to work. Honestly... haven't felt much like creating anything of late. Most recently between a car accident and an emergency surgery for the husband, it's been a bit rough. I've been running ragged. 

However...

This week I got a sweet surpirse. A few friends of mine, lets call them lifesavers, decided that karma needed to come our way. We've had a rough few years with one disaster after another clouding our little family and needed a break. Not only did I recieve sweet, uplifting messages motivating me to keep doing what I've been doing, but they inspired me to believe more in myself and the good people that are out there. The lifesavers put together these pre-made meals and snacks so that I could check making dinner off of my list this week and concentrate more on spending time with my family. 

I'm still crying.

Coming up on Thanksgiving it makes me think of all the things I'm grateful for... this year the number one thing on my list is my loved ones. I know it may not seem like much to others, the gesture of pre-made meals, or an entertainer for a young one, but for someone like me that tries endlessly to make things seem normal no matter whats going on, it was overwhelming. I said to one of my lifesavers that I was already looking for a way to pay it forward... her response was that 'she feels I spend my life paying it forward and it was time karma came around to give me a hug'. I don't even know how to express my gratitude for the good things that have come our way this week and I can't help but think how lucky I am to have met such special people. 

I guess a good place to start is an enormous THANK YOU to the lifesavers who have given me a boost. I'm not one to ask for help and you girls knew just where to hit me to make it seem not so bad. You get out what you put in, and maybe this is a turning point. I will be sure to keep my eye out for those clouds to dry up and bring us some sun!

Now... back to food. :) And crafts!! I mean geeze... it's November 9th and I'm already 4 weeks behind on holiday stuff!! Slacker. T-minus 28 days till the annual Holiday party! :)