Crispy Tofu With Balsamic Tomatoes melissa clark

  • 1 (14- to 16-ounce) package extra-firm or firm tofu, cut crosswise into 1-inch-thick slices
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt (Diamond Crystal), plus more as needed
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for finishing
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved if large, kept whole if small
  • 1 large red onion, cut into 1/4-inch wedges (about 2 cups)
  • 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 ½ teaspoons balsamic vinegar, plus more for finishing
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro or parsley leaves and tender stems, roughly chopped
  1. Heat oven to 400 degrees and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
  2. Arrange tofu slices on a clean kitchen towel or on paper towels. Cover with another kitchen towel (or paper towels) and place a flat cutting board or baking pan on top. If your cutting board or pan is lightweight, stack a few cans or a skillet on top to weigh it down. Let tofu drain for at least 15 minutes, and up to 45 minutes.
  3. Transfer tofu to a cutting board and cut slabs into 1-inch cubes. Pat them dry with paper towels and season both sides of the tofu with 3/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  4. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon oil, cornstarch, garlic powder (if using) and 1/2 teaspoon of the oregano. Add tofu to cornstarch mixture and gently toss until tofu is evenly coated. Dump tofu onto one side of the prepared sheet pan.
  5. In a large bowl, toss together tomatoes, onion, garlic, balsamic vinegar, remaining 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Drizzle in the remaining 2 tablespoons of the oil, tossing to combine.
  6. Arrange vegetables on other side of the prepared sheet pan. Bake until tofu is crisp and golden brown, and tomatoes are condensed, 25 to 35 minutes. Halfway through baking, flip tofu and toss vegetables while keeping the tofu and veggies separate.
  7. To serve, sprinkle cilantro on top and drizzle with balsamic and oil, if you’d like.

Chinese-style button mushroom soup from thewoksoflife.com


8 ounces button mushrooms(the smaller the better)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
 4 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoons light soy sauce
salt (to taste)
 2 tablespoons cornstarch (combined into a slurry with 2 tablespoons water, optional)
1/2 cup cilantro (finely chopped)
1 scallion (chopped)

Wash the mushrooms clean of any dirt, and dry them thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel. Detach the stems (you will add them to the soup also).

Place a medium soup pot over medium high heat. When the pan is very hot, add the oil and mushrooms cup-side up in a single layer. (Add the stems in too to avoid waste.)

Reduce the heat to medium, and cook until the mushroom caps are browned, and each cup fills with liquid (that’s the juices in the mushroom seeping out!). Also check the stems for browning. Avoid stirring during this pan-frying process as it’s the key step to developing flavor for this soup. (You also want to keep the mushroom juices in the caps.) 

When the mushrooms are nicely browned, add the water and light soy sauce. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes over medium low heat.

Add salt to taste, and stir in the cornstarch slurry (if using). Simmer the soup for 30 seconds until thickened.
Just before serving, add the cilantro and scallions. If you like cilantro (like me) this soup can take a lot of cilantro! 



Egyptian Barley Salad from america’s test kitchen


Do not substitute hulled barley or hull-less barley in this recipe. If using quick-cooking or presteamed barley (read the ingredient list on the package to determine this), you will need to decrease the barley cooking time in step 1.

1½ cups pearl barley
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for serving
2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
⅓ cup golden raisins
½ cup coarsely chopped cilantro
¼ cup shelled pistachios, toasted and chopped coarse
3 ounces feta cheese, cut into ½-inch cubes (¾ cup)
6 scallions, green parts only, sliced thin
½ cup pomegranate seeds

1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in Dutch oven. Add barley and 1 tablespoon salt, return to boil, and cook until tender, 20 to 40 minutes. Drain barley, spread onto rimmed baking sheet, and let cool completely, about 15 minutes.

2. Whisk oil, molasses, cinnamon, cumin, and ½ teaspoon salt together in large bowl. Add barley, raisins, cilantro, and pistachios and gently toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spread barley salad evenly on serving platter and arrange feta, scallions, and pomegranate seeds in separate diagonal rows on top. Drizzle with extra oil and serve
Serves 6 to 8

California Tacos from allrecipes.com


3 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
2 avocados, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lime, juiced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
8 eaches corn tortillas
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup cooked white rice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 dash green pepper sauce (such as Tabasco®), or to tast
e
  • Step 1 Mix tomatoes, avocados, onion, 1/4 cup cilantro, and garlic together in a bowl. Drizzle lime juice over tomato mixture; toss to coat.
  • Step 2 Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Arrange tortillas, 2 at a time, in hot oil; cook until crisp, about 1 minute per side. Remove tortillas using tongs and repeat with remaining tortillas.
  • Step 3 Spoon 2 tablespoons black beans and 2 tablespoons cooked rice onto each crisp tortilla; top with tomato mixture. Garnish tacos using remaining 2 tablespoons cilantro and green pepper sauce.

Mexican Corn Dip from showmetheyummy.com

4 ears of corn cooked
4
oz
cream cheese
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 cup Cilantro minced
1/4 cup Basil minced
Crumbled cotija or feta for topping
Cilantro basil, green onion for topping

 

  • Place corn kernels, cream cheese, mayo, and spices: chili powder, paprika, garlic, cumin, cayenne, salt, and pepper into microwave.
  • cover and cook for a few minutes
  • Stir in lime juice, cilantro, and basil.
  • Taste and re-season, if necessary.
  • Place dip into serving dish and top with cheese, and other toppings and serve warm with tortilla chips!

 

Vegetarian Butter “Chicken” Instant Pot from twosleevers.com

1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
5-6 cloves of garlic
1-2 teaspoon minced ginger
1 teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1.5 cups dry Soy Curls <-Butler foods
1 cup water

To finish
4 ounces butter cut into cubes
4 ounces heavy cream
1 teaspoon garam masala
¼-1/2 c chopped cilantro

Put in tomatoes, soy curls, water and spices and cook at high pressure for 6 minutes.

Allow it to release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, and then release remaining pressure.
Turn your Instant Pot on Sauté, and add the butter and cream and allow them to melt while mixing. Use the back of your spoon to crush any large tomato pieces.

Mix in the remaining 1 teaspoon of garam masala and cilantro, and serve.

DMV notes–used 1/8 tsp cayenne, 1 tsp grated ginger, less salt and 3 cloves of garlic and served on pappardellelle—perfect

Urvashi Pitre’s Instant Pot Butter Chicken

1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
5 or 6 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground paprika
2 teaspoons garam masala, divided
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken (breasts or thighs)
4 ounces butter, cut into cubes, or ½ cup coconut oil
½ cup heavy (whipping) cream or full-fat coconut milk
¼ to ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

  1. In the inner cooking pot of the Instant Pot, add the tomatoes, garlic, ginger, turmeric, cayenne, paprika, one teaspoon of garam masala, cumin, and salt. Mix thoroughly, then place the chicken pieces on top of the sauce.
  2. Lock the lid into place. Select Manual or Pressure Cook, and adjust the pressure to High. Cook for ten minutes.
  3. When the cooking is complete, let the pressure release naturally. Unlock the lid. Carefully remove the chicken and set it aside.
  4. Using an immersion blender in the pot, blend together all the ingredients into a smooth sauce. Let the sauce cool for several minutes.
  5. Add the butter cubes, cream, remaining teaspoon of garam masala, and cilantro. Stir until well incorporated. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon when you’re done.
  6. Remove half of the sauce and freeze it for later, or refrigerate for as long as three days.
  7. Add the chicken back to the sauce. Preheat the Instant Pot by selecting Sauté and adjust to Less for low heat. Let the chicken heat through. Break it up into smaller pieces, if you like, but don’t shred it.
  8. Serve over rice or raw cucumber noodles.  Serves four.

indian moong dal instant pot from twosleevers.com

1 c. yellow mung dal
4 c water
1onion diced
1 tomato diced
2 tbsp garlic/ginger paste
1 tsp turmeric
1/8 tsp cayenne
1 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp corriander
1/2 tsp sugar
lemon juice and parsley or cilantro to finish

place all ingredients in instant pot.
cook for 20 min at high pressure then release naturally
mix in lemon juice and stir well
garnish with cilantro or parsley

Indian Coconut Tomato Soup from twosleevers.com

  • 1 can unsweetened coconut milk full fat
  • 1 red onion, diced
  • 6 roma tomatoes, chopped in quarters or  canned tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  1. Put all ingredients into the Instant Pot and cook on High for 5 minutes. Allow the pot to sit undisturbed for 10 minutes. After that, release pressure. If you start to see sputtering and spewing from the valve, close the valve and try again in 5 minutes.

  2. Remove from the pot and use an immersion blender to mix all the ingredients together and get a smooth soup.

notes: I used 1 quart frozen tomatoes, 2 tsp garlic ginger past and less cayenne

For Stove Top
  1. Cook all ingredients together until the tomatoes are soft and bursting.

  2. Remove from the pot and use an immersion blender to mix all the ingredients together and get a smooth soup.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

  • You can use a 14-oz can of tomatoes instead of fresh tomatoes if you prefer.

Instant Pot Sweet Potato Tortilla Soup from instantpoteats.com

  • NOTE:  make sure you do not add more that line indicates
    1 large brown onion, finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 3-4 large garlic cloves, finely diced
  • ½ red chili, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons roughly chopped cilantro (stalks and leaves)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander seeds
  • 1 lb / 550 g sweet potato, diced into cubes
  • 1 can black beans, rinsed
  • 2 cups chopped tinned tomatoes
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 cube vegetable stock cube
  • Juice of ½ lime
To serve
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • Handful of fresh cilantro/coriander, roughly chopped
  • Handful of corn tortilla chips, crumbled over the top
  • A dollop of sour cream (in bowls, per person)
  • 1-2 tablespoons of grated cheddar (in bowls, per person)
  • Grated cheese
  1. Press the Sauté key on the Instant Pot (it should say Normal, 30 mins). Add the onions, olive oil and one teaspoon of salt and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring a few times.
  2. Add the garlic, chili, cilantro, spices and the remaining salt and stir through. Add the sweet potatoes, beans, tomatoes, water and vegetable stock cube. Stir through well and press Keep Warm/Cancel function key to stop the Sauté process.
  3. Place and lock the lid, making sure the steam releasing handle is pointing to Sealing. Press Manual, High pressure and set to 3 minutes. After 3 beeps the pressure cooker will start going. Once the IP stops cooking, allow 5 minutes for natural release and then use the quick release method to let off the rest of the steam and pressure.
  4. Open the lid and stir in the juice of ½ lime. You can also add extra fresh cilantro directly in the pot.
  5. Serve the soup in bowls, topped with diced avocado and crispy corn tortilla chips. Add a dollop of sour cream and some cheddar cheese on top, if you like.