Tofu or Not Tofu...*

This recipe is too good not to share. It appeared in my inbox awhile back from Chow and it's been my favorite go to veggie recipe ever since. I admit I'm pretty new to tofu and this is the best kind - chewy/crispy on the outside, squishy on the inside. I prefer to barely cook the peapods so they stay fresh. The sauce is amazing - spicy, sweetish from the mirin, savory from the garlic and shallots. Hope you enjoy it too.

Spicy Peapod & Sesame Tofu Stirfry

- 1/4c. soy sauce
- 2T. mirin or dry sherry
- 1T. sugar
- 2t. cornstarch
- 1t. rice vinegar
- 3/4t. red chile flakes
- approx. 2T. oil or more (to fry with)
- 1lb. firm tofu, patted dry, cut into big cubes
- 3 medium shallots, thinly sliced
- 4 medium garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1lb. peapods, ends cut off
- 1T. white sesame seeds

1. Whisk together first 6 ingredients, set aside.
2. Heat oil over high til it smokes, add tofu, cook on each side until brown ~3 min. Remove to plate and set aside
3. Reduce heat to medium (change oil if necessary. I like to add a little sesame seed oil). Cook shallots and garlic til brown. Add peapods and seeds - cook til done.
4. Add tofu and sauce, cook until thickened (you can add more water if you like it 'saucier'). Serve immediately over steamed rice.

Serves about 4

*sorry billy s., but it was too good to pass up ;)

Dread Bitter Pine Nut Syndrome

Aaaarghhh! So I've had this nasty bitter taste in my mouth for the past several days. No matter what I eat, no matter how many times I brush/Scope, it's there. Ruining meals and snacks alike. I finally decided to google my symptoms and make sure I didn't have some unusual and deadly disease. The first several listings all pointed to pine nuts as the culprits. Not just any pine nuts....specifically pine nuts from China. I just rushed into the kitchen to check out the country of origin on my Melissa's pine nuts...lo and behold...Cina. Drat. Most of the sites say this phenomenon lasts anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. I think Melissa's might be getting a phone call....

Pine Nuts Left a Bitter Taste in My Mouth
Beware of Pine Nuts from China
Bitter Taste After Eating for Days - Caused by Pine Nuts?
Pine Nut Syndrome