Day 109.
This is a tofu recipe. If you don't like tofu, the marinade will taste great on chicken or pork.
But tofu is good for you. You should really get over it, already.
The Ingredients.
--1 brick of extra firm tofu (this was the lite version. I had no idea tofu came in a lite version, or why it could possibly be considered high in fat, but I still bought the lite version because the package marketing evidently works.)
--2 cloves of minced garlic
--1/4 cup soy sauce (we use LaChoy because it's gluten free)
--1/4 cup orange juice
--1/4 cup honey
--fresh broccoli florets
The Directions.
--drain your tofu well and chop into bite-sized chunks
--brown in a skillet in a bit of butter with the 2 cloves of minced garlic (this isn't absolutely necessary, but will help the tofu keep it's shape and provide a texture that your tongue really kind of wants)
--add to crockpot and top with the liquid ingredients
--wash and cut your fresh broccoli--add to the mix
--cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours. Tofu doesn't take long (it's already cooked, anyhow)---you are really just letting the flavors meld and steam the broccoli.
If you are going to use frozen broccoli, add the last 30 min of cooking time
Serve over steamed brown rice.
The Verdict.
This makes a very good sauce that makes anything taste good. If you are scared to try tofu, give it a try with this sauce---it truly is tasty.
My kids did a good job eating this meal. They like tofu a lot and will eat their weight in broccoli.
And since tofu is so good for you, it's okay to have a pint of Ben and Jerry's for dessert.
Posted by: Stephanie O'Dea | A Year of Slow Cooking at April 18, 2008
Labels: Asian, crockpot, gluten free, main course, tofu, vegetarian,
Sign up for the A Year of Slow Cooking newsletter and get the Top Ten Reader Favorite Recipes sent directly to your inbox!
‹ Next Recipe
Previous Recipe ›
What they say about this article
Holly4/18/2008
Where can I get kids like yours?!?! Mine ate 6 sugar snap peas at supper last nite, and I did a little dance for her. No veggie/tofu lovers here... this recipe makes me want to try and convert them...
Stephanie ODea4/18/2008
ha, Holl! Trust me, there is plenty that they won't eat. They aren't big on meat---
the first few times you make tofu, brown it really, really well on all sides. It will create a nice texture and will be reminiscent of meat.
happy friday!
stephSunshinemom4/18/2008
Thats sounds neat! I will anyway replace the tofu with cottage cheese and use spinach instead of broccoli!!
Anonymous4/18/2008
I am one of those sad tofu-phobic people. I know I need to get over it. And then I gave birth to the two pickiest eaters in all of Creation.
Anonymous4/18/2008
This sounds so different but still something I can get my family to eat. My kids are the same way about broccoli. They love it even more than I do. :)
Carrie4/18/2008
I stumbled upon your blog through a link on cupcake project. So glad I did. I love the crockpot and was running out of ideas. Last night we had Balsamic Chicken and Veggies -very good. Its great that you are honest and not afraid to say a recipe didn't work. Thanks for the tip on browning the tofu. My husband and I are so-so on tofu, but it could be that I am just not cooking it correctly. I am trying to cut out all the meat and have 2 - 3 meatless meals each week, and this gives some different things to try.
You rock!Anonymous4/18/2008
honey & orange anything sounds good. on this annsy of the rock and roll sf's earthquake ('06), your recipes really rock. thanx a bunch of broccoli.
Anonymous4/18/2008
Woo-hoo - another vegetarian recipe!
You know the way to my heart. I love the omnivores!
April was in CA now MA 4/18/2008
Yay...a tofu recipe! We've been trying to incorporate more tofu into our meals, but I'm kinda scared of cooking it wrong and it being gross. (yes, pathetic..I know) I came across a recipe for fried tofu last night that looks like french fries so I'm excited to try that one soon along with the one you posted. I love anything honey and orange.
Anonymous4/18/2008
Thanks so much! My family loves tofu, and asian style dishes. I'm making tofu Mu Shu right now, in fact! I'll try this tomorrow night--it sounds delicious!
MSM4/18/2008
Can I trick people will this, or will they know they are eating something 'unnatural' to them?
How many peeps will this serve?
Thanks!
Stephanie ODea4/18/2008
MSM, I don't think you'll be able to fool any grownups, but you might be able to fool kids--I'm not sure though--I've never really tried to hide the tofu.
This will feed 2 grownups and 2 kids or 3 grownups. :-0
steph
Anonymous4/18/2008
I love reading this blog...for I too am a crockpot lover. But after reading how much you think soy is good for you...I just have to share this link with you. http://cindalouskitchenblues.blogspot.com/2007/09/sorry-that-soy-latte-is-not-healthy.html
She is also gluten free, and so very interesting. Please read with an open mind. I had to give up soy a year ago when I found out what it was doing to my daughter.
I'm going to try this recipe with chicken--it looks so delish!Stephanie ODea4/19/2008
thanks anon! It's important for every family to do their own research on food schtuff and make the decision that best suits their family.
xoxo
stephCourtney4/21/2008
This looks great! I think I might make it tonight sans crockpot. The temptation with only the large size pot is to make way too much for the 2 of us.
I love that you share so many simple yet healthy recipes. Thanks again!Anonymous4/25/2008
I made this tonight, and it was a hit with the husband, and the toddler ate 2 pieces of tofu (score!). I did add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. I think it cooked almost too long - the tofu started to get over-cooked after 3 hours on low, but I think that's just my crock pot. Next time I think I'll add some sliced carrots to this as well.
Great recipe! thanks so much!
Debbi Does Dinner Healthy8/13/2008
I finally made this tonight. I did use chicken though, I don't get tofu, I like meat. I added a bit of ginger and it was very good, we cooked the broccoli separate though. I will probably add some onions and peppers to it next time. Definately a keeper! Thanks!
Unknown9/16/2008
Big hit in the high-school kid's lunchbox. Except he had to explain tofu. Apparently telling them it was like paneer but made with soya milk didn't help...
SavvyChef1/28/2009
I just tried this recipe using chicken: DON'T DO IT PEOPLE! It was really disgusting, I have a whole pot of it sitting on the counter, and I can't figure out what to do with it.
Note to self, next time stick to the using the main ingredients: tofu!
Kate Oliver6/05/2009
What sized cooker did you use for this recipe? I know most of your recipes call for a 5/6 qt cooker, but would that be too large for this recipe (it's the only size I have, so I hope it would work!).
Stephanie ODea6/05/2009
Hi Ariel,
I probably did use a 5-6 quart, although a 3-4 quart would actually be the best size to use. If you're home to watch it, you'll be okay, otherwise you might want to insert an oven-safe dish into your big one (pyrex, conrningware, a metal baking pan) and then put the food in. That will create a smaller cooking vessel for the tofu to cook, and hopefully ward off accidental burning.
xoxo steph
Sunny Arakawa8/24/2009
I cut the tofu in triangle chunks. It was yummy and my husband liked it too. Thank you for the recipe. I love the fact it is so simple and easy!
MPMommy10/29/2009
OH MY! This sauce is amazing!! My girls love tofu, too and this was just fantastic! I love how the cornstarch made the sauce thicken while it simmered in the crock. I want to try it on chicken, following the same idea - cut into chunks, shake up with some cornstarch and brown the outsides, then throw in the crock with the sauce. I bet it would taste just as good. My broccoli didn't cook in time (my fault tho - it was dry when I put it in the pot, so no moisture to steam it) so I just took it out and steamed it with the rice. Yummy! Will be making this again! Thanks!!
Anonymous1/15/2010
I love your cookbook, but this recipe stinks...really. My house REEKED of broccoli (or, as I said to my husband in a telephone warning before he got home: it smells like a bad diaper in here!). The broccoli also didn't cook (there wasn't enough moisture in the recipe) and the sauce was kinda chunky--again, not enough moisture. I added about 1/2 cup of water (after removing the broccoli) and stirred to smooth out the sauce. The flavor of the sauce is good and I love tofu, so that was salvagable, but the broccoli really was not fit to eat. In the future, I will have a vivid reminder NEVER to put broccoli in the crockpot to steam! Phew! :P
Becky2/23/2010
I made this tonight and it turned out GREAT! The tofu cooked with the cornstarch does the trick perfectly. However the garlic in the pan while cooking the tofu was no good for me, it just burned. I think the sauce thickened up a bit because of the cornstarch so next time I might do 1/3c of all the liquids. It could also be because I pre-preped mine and stuck it in the fridge for a few hours until I was ready to start cooking it. This is a great beginner tofu recipe.Coming from someone who really doesn't like broccoli I even at the broccoli! It was cooked just to my liking, not all the crunch taken out of it! I did not find this stinky in the LEAST. I even left the house and came back and did not detect any odor.
Thanks for the great recipe!Anonymous4/27/2010
Your book said to shake the tofu in 1/4 cup of cornstarch for this recipe. This online version doesn't mention that. 1/4 cup was WAY TOO MUCH! After cooking on low for 1 hour, the sauce was so thick I had to add 2 cups of water to sort of thin in down. I'll try it again the no cornstarch way.
David, Wendy, Alaina, and Leo8/02/2011
I have just found your blog while searching for crock pot meals to make when it is hot outside so that I don't have to heat up my kitchen. (it was 107 degrees today!) I LOVE your blog!!! I'm going to make your steak with A1, dijon mustard, and white wine tomorrow, but I'm also definitely picking up the stuff to make this soon as well! Thank you for sharing all of these recipes! I've stayed up well over an hour past when I wanted to go to bed reading and I'm sure I'll spend quite a bit of time reading through more tomorrow! I can't wait to try so many of these recipes!
HJBroker9/10/2012
This look so delicious! I want to start cooking with tofu but I'm scared. I was wondering if you can over cook it. I want to put this on in the morning and have it ready when I get home but I'm out of the house for about 10 hours. Would that be too long? What if I prepare it tonight and have it in the fridge- will that avoid the mushy tofu?
I'm really excited to try this!
PixiePixie1/15/2013
Just made this tonight, but on the stove rather than my slow cooker, and I added ginger, Sriracha, and rice vinegar. Very tasty!
Unknown9/17/2015
I have the recipe in the crockpot now. Can't wait to try it! My son recently decided he wanted to be vegan, my daughter is vegetarian. I'm okay eating meat or not. I'm really hoping the other three kids will eat it! Fingers crossed.. they are so picky!
