2.6.12

Take Out Made In


Hi guys! I'm back!

Life-in-a-box!
Phew. These past two weeks have really taken the life out of me. First a week of finals, a weekend of packing, then a week of working 10 hour waitressing shifts during my school's commencement. Summer break has never been such a relief. 

Because of my long and exhausting work shifts plus the road trip home, I have been eating out a lot lately. Take out food tends to make me feel gross when I eat it for too many days straight, but it does taste pretty great (thank you, sugar and sodium). When I finally made it home, I decided to try to create a slightly healthier version of one of my all-time favorite chinese carry-out dishes: General Tso's Tofu. I'd say it turned out just as delicious as the real deal!


General Tso's Tofu (adapted from The Vegan Kitchen)

makes 2 servings

12 oz extra firm tofu
1 tbsp cornstarch
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup water
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp hoisin sauce
1/2 tbsp mirin (rice wine)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp siracha (or to taste)
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water

1. Preheat your oven to 400ยบ and grease a baking sheet. Press the tofu between paper towels to get rid of excess water and cut into small cubes. Toss the cubes with a tablespoon of cornstarch and place them on the sheet to bake for about 20-25 minutes.
2. Prepare the sauce by heating the garlic over low heat in a small saucepan. After a minute, add in the other ingredients (except for the cornstarch mixture) and stir for about 3 minutes. Mix in the cornstarch and whisk until thickened. Remove from heat. 
3. Once the tofu is cooked, place the cubes in a bowl and carefully mix in the sauce. Serve with brown rice and broccoli. All you're missing is the fortune cookie!


This meal is super quick to whip up and perfect for a lazy summer movie night. Do you have a go-to take-out meal?


16 comments:

  1. Yum. This looks fabulous. Can't wait to try it here. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome, Anne! Let me know how it turns out :)

      Delete
  2. Yay for summer break! I hope you have fun plans!

    This looks so yummy, and way healthier than eating out! And the photos are beautiful- I love the crispness of the sesame seeds sprinkled on top!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I know exactly what you mean - the food tastes great but then you're like BLEH! Your homemade general tso tofu looks pretty delicious. I can't wait to try it : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kelley! Yeah, this recipe won't make you feel bloated like chinese take-out usually does (I hope)!

      Delete
  4. Not only does your recipe sound great, it looks so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yum this looks divine!
    xo
    http://allykayler.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. I make this all the time, but I've never baked the tofu, I always browned it in oil. Going to try baking it next time, wayyyyy healthier!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes it is healthier! I always thought baking would take so much longer, but really it's about the same time frame and the tofu pieces still get nice and crispy on the outside.

      Delete
  7. I just had this and it's definitely becoming one of my favourite meals. SO YUMMY! I have leftovers which I will be having as a quick, reheatable dinner after the gym tomorrow :) thank you so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are very welcome! So glad to hear you enjoyed it :)

      Delete
  8. This looks fantastic, not to mention loads healthier than anything I'd get for take out. This will certainly be made!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! So glad to hear it :) It's one of my go-to dinners for weeknights.

      Delete