I know some think tofu is gross...but let me try to change your mind!

Hi Everyone

Since I am Asian, in our culture, we eat a lot of tofu -- growing up, I've always associated tofu with deliciousness instead of the common association of "bland" "gross" "no taste". On my fitness journey (3 weeks into it now) -- tofu has become a staple in my diet and so far I have lost 6lbs! I hope some of these simple recipes can help with others on this journey but looking for non-meat options (fyi i am NOT a vegetarian, but i do enjoy vegetarian food).

Recipe #1 Simple Pressed Tofu Stirfry

Ingredients:

- 2 cloves of garlic (minced)
- Celery (cut into thin 2 - 3 inch strips, about 0.25 inch wide - dont have to be super precise)
- Carrots (easiest if you get pre-peeled baby carrots, similarly cut into same shape as celery strips)
- Pressed tofu (see photo below for example -- this probably is easiest to get if you live somewhere near an Asian market -- wholefoods could potentially have it too)
- a drizzle of sesame oil
- a table spoon of olive oil
- for meat eaters, feel free to add in lean pork or beef, also cut into thin strips

Pressed Tofu Photo
http://www.dish-ditty.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/2014-09-17-07.49.05.jpg

1. Coat the Pan with olive oil, sprinkle salt and pepper into the oil, allow it to heat
2. Once oil heated, throw in minced garlic. stir fry for about 20 - 30 seconds once you start smelling that awesome garlic aroma
3. throw in meat at this point if you are using meat (stirfry the meat until cooked -- pork/chicken need to be thoroughly cooked, beef can be less so)
4. if you dont choose meat, then just throw in the carrots and celery first -- stir fry for about 2 - 4 minutes until its softens a little, then add in the tofu strips
5. salt to taste while you are stir frying
6. add a drizzle of sesame oil in your final 30 seconds

This is super simple (though the cutting can be ahhhhhhh) and healthy. Great also if it's cold, so for the summer time, you can also add this as a warm or cold salad side.

Recipe #2 Seaweed tofu beef soup

This is a modified version of a traditional Korean seaweed soup -- I just add in a pack of extra firm organic tofu.

http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/66294/korean-style-seaweed-soup/?mxt=t06rda

For vegetarians, I think this may be tough. You can take out the beef portion and try to substitute the beef stock with vegetable stock, but I have no idea how that will turn out.