Spicy Tofu Bento Bowl

Bento boxes are lunch containers with separate compartments used for take-along and take-out lunches in Japan. Here we’ve assembled traditional bento box components in a one-bowl salad. Serves 6.

Ingredient List
* Spicy Tofu
* 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
* 1/4 cup hot chili-garlic sauce
* 2 Tbs. dark sesame oil
* 14-oz. extra-firm tofu, cubed
* 5 green onions, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
* 1/4 cup nonfat yogurt
* 2 Tbs. lemon juice

Salad
* 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
* 2 Tbs. lemon juice
* 1 Tbs. minced fresh ginger
* 1 tsp. hot chili-garlic sauce
* 2 cups cooked short-grain brown rice
* 4 1/2 cups mixed baby greens
* 2 carrots, peeled
* 1 cucumber, sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)
* 1 avocado, peeled and sliced
* 1 Tbs. toasted sesame seeds

Directions
1. To make Spicy Tofu: Whisk together soy sauce, chili sauce and sesame oil in bowl. Heat nonstick skillet over medium heat. Dip tofu in chili mixture. Cook 10 minutes, or until browned, turning occasionally. Cool. Add green onions, yogurt and lemon juice to remaining chili mixture. Toss with tofu.

2. To make Salad: Whisk together soy sauce, lemon juice, ginger and chili sauce in bowl. Mound rice in bowls. Top with greens. Shave strips of carrots over top with vegetable peeler. Top with tofu, cucumber and avocado. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, and serve with sauce.

Spicy Tofu Bento Bowl » Vegetarian Times Issue: October 1, 2006 p.84

Silky Carrot and Ginger Soup

Ingredient List
1 Tbs. unsalted butter
1/2 small onion or 2 shallots, chopped
1 tsp. minced fresh ginger
3/4 lb. carrots, peeled, trimmed and chopped (1 1/2 cups)
1 1/2 tsp. light brown sugar
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
2 to 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
2 Tbs. white rice
Salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
2 Tbs. thick yogurt for garnish
1 Tbs. slivered mint leaves, optional

Directions
1. Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté, stirring often, 3 to 5 minutes, until translucent. Add ginger and carrots, and cook, stirring, 5 minutes more. Add sugar, and cook, stirring, 1 minute more; add orange juice; bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring bottom of pan with wooden spoon to deglaze. Cook until liquid reduces by about half, about 3 minutes.

2. Add broth and rice, and bring to a boil. Add salt and pepper, reduce heat to low, cover and cook about 30 minutes, or until carrots are very tender.

3. Put mixture in food processor (or in blender in batches), and purée until smooth. Adjust seasonings to taste. Heat through, garnish with dollop of yogurt and a sprinkle of mint leaves and serve. Serves 2 to 3.

Silky Carrot and Ginger Soup [via: Vegetarian Times]