Tofu Fried Rice

It took a while, but I caved. I finally went to the grocery store and bought enough food to actually be able to cook dinner a couple of times.

It was way more fun when the holidays were in our midst and there was no need to have real food around.

Between the pain of having to buy All The Things, there was the usual Alexis banter about what she thought I should buy. She is on a weird "junk food is AWESOME!" kick, which, the hell? WHY? WHAT STARTED THIS? It needs to stop.

Anyway, another thing she did was comment that she wished that a box of pre-packaged fried rice didn't have chicken in it because she loves fried rice. I looked her in the eye and said, "Alexis, we don't need a box of 'fried rice' to make fried rice."

"Oh, yeah!" she replied.

I then proceeded to not buy the things to make fried rice because why would I think that moment would stick? ::headdesk::

Of course the kid asked for fried rice for dinner. That's when I learned that I could make fried rice without planning it. I didn't have all of the usual vegetables, but I had enough to suffice. And it was good. REAL good.

Which is all to say, it's pretty easy to throw together fried rice with whatever is sitting around.

Tofu Fried Rice

3 tablespoons peanut oil (divided)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon crushed ginger
1 teaspoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 package extra firm tofu, cubed (drain and press the extra water out of it before cubing it)
2 cups white short-grain rice, prepared per package instructions
1 red pepper, diced
1 small onion, diced
1 cup broccoli florets (I used frozen, but fresh works even better)
2 large eggs

1. Place 2 tablespoons peanut oil, soy sauce, ginger, lime juice, and red pepper flakes in a gallon baggie and then toss the tofu in with it all. Shake it up and let it sit for at least ten minutes. It's called "marinading," kids, and it's what gives the tofu taste. (You could do the same thing with chicken or whatever, omnivores.)

2. Prepare the rice per package instructions.

3. In a large skillet or wok, heat the remaining tablespoon of peanut oil over medium heat. Toss in the red pepper and then the onion. Stir it all up.

4. Throw in the tofu, as well as the marinade. Fry the tofu and vegetables until the tofu starts to brown. Add the broccoli and continue to fry until the broccoli starts to soften.

5. Throw in the rice and stir everything up.

6. Push the rice and veggies off to the side. Using the empty spot in the skillet or wok, make some scrambled eggs. I break the eggs into a cup or bowl, scramble them with a fork, then pour them into the skillet/wok. A few stirs later, they are cooked.

7. Mix everything together. If you need to add more soy sauce, feel free to do so. It's a taste thing, for sure. I don't like a lot of soy sauce, but some members of this family would put an entire bottle on their plate if I would let them.

8. Listen to your kid rave about how great tofu and fried rice are. Or is that just what happens at my house?

Comments

[hellohahanarf]

yep, you have ruined me. i think this sounds FANTASTIC.
i swear soon i will be buying tofu. ruined, i say...