Foxtail Farm Veggies – CSA Box Number One
It started to rain today! Yeah!!! That means our CSA boxes will be wonderful here in Minnesota this week and the next! We started off this spring with a drought, and lots of farmers and gardeners were worried, but when it rains like it did today, there’s hope! The only bad thing is that the farmers may have to deal with unfavorable work conditions as they pick and pack our lovely boxes. Let it be known that these boxes are highly appreciated!
My original idea for meal number three out of the CSA box would be a stir fry, but because of the rain, I opted for a Thai Curry instead. I love the warmth of soups with vegetables and that just seemed more appropriate on this foggy dreary day. It was also little humid today and I didn’t want to run the oven, so I decided to fry the tofu rather than bake it. The veggy curry and fried tofu made an amazingly delicious meal and there is just enough left over for a little reminder lunch tomorrow!
Spicy Tofu
Ingredients:
Extra Firm Tofu cubed- I used Wild Wood Organic Super Firm
Canola oil – enough for about 1/16 inch in pan
2 cloves garlic
1 inch fresh ginger
1 tsp. garlic chile paste
1 tsp. soy sauce
Directions:
Chop garlic and ginger in the food processor. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok. Toss in garlic and ginger for just enough time to turn fragrant, but not begin to crisp. You need to watch it carefully and stir carefully. I try to keep the garlic and ginger in a tidy pile, so when it is fragrant I can easily scoop it out. Scoop it out and set it aside in a bowl. It will later be mixed with the tofu. Keep your oil at a medium heat and toss in the cubed tofu. Let it brown up for a few minutes then turn to brown the other sides. The frying takes a few minutes and you do need to keep an eye on it. Continue to turn the tofu every few minutes so that each cube is lightly browned. When it is finished scoop the tofu out and place in a large mixing bowl. Toss in the lightly sauteed garlic and ginger as well as the chile paste and soy sauce. Mix carefully to evenly coat the tofu.
Vegetable Curry
Ingredients:
1 Tbs canola oil
1 small head broccoli
10 stalks swiss chard
4 baby bok choi diagonal cut
2 cloves garlic minced
1 inch fresh ginger minced
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup soy milk
2 Tbs. Thai green curry paste
soy sauce to taste
Directions: You should have all the ingredients for this dish ready to go as timing is very important. You don’t want to overcook the vegetables. In a large skillet or wok, heat oil and add garlic and ginger. Saute until fragrant then add chopped swiss chard. Mix and let cook a few minutes until the leaves are wilted and bright green. Add the bok Choi and broccoli and stir in. Add white wine and let simmer briefly. Stir in coconut milk, soy milk and soy sauce. Finally, put in the green curry paste making sure it gets incorporated into the liquid. Serve immediately over rice. Enjoy!
Vegetarian Perspective 