Tofu-Carrot Pot Stickers

Using ideas from several pot sticker recipes, I made up this recipe using items from my refrigerator.  They were yummy.  Be sure to make the dipping sauce too!  Note that you can freeze these before cooking them.  Then, cook them just as described below although the cooking times will be longer.

Ingredients:
14 oz firm tofu, cut into small cubes
2 carrots, peeled and grated
1/4 onion, peeled and grated
1 T. toasted sesame oil
1 T. soy sauce
1 egg, lightly beaten
gyoza wrappers or egg roll wrappers cut into quarters

Directions:
Mix the first six ingredients in a bowl with a potato masher.  Put a small amount of filling in the middle of each wrapper.  Using your finger, wet the outer edge of the wrapper and then fold over to make a triangle.  To cook, place a pan over medium-high heat.  Add about a tablespoon of oil.  When the oil is heated, add the pot stickers to the pan and cover for about 5 minutes.  Add 1/2 cup of water, turn to medium heat and cover for 2 minutes.  Uncover and turn to high heat until all water has been evaporated.  Enjoy with the dipping sauce below.

Dipping Sauce:
Mix together soy sauce, toasted sesame oil and vinegar to taste.

Veggie Tofu Stir Fry

This recipe is very similar to the previous one but it has different flavorings. The great thing is that you could create more dishes than these two!

Ingredients:
soba noodles, cooked
extra firm tofu, cut into 1/4 inch cubes
squash, cut into 1/4 inch cubes
frozen stir fry vegetables
soy sauce or tamari
Chinese spicy mustard
Thai chili sauce
white wine vinegar (rice wine vinegar would probably be good too)

Directions:
Mix together the soy sauce, mustard, chili sauce and vinegar to taste. Add the tofu cubes and marinate for a few minutes. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add the tofu and brown for 5-10 minutes. Add the squash and frozen vegetables. Cook until done. Serve with vegetables and tofu mixture on top of the soba noodels.

Italian Veggie Tofu Pasta Salad

We've decided to eat more tofu. For one thing, we actually like it but also it's good for us and it's cheap compared to meat.

Ingredients:
whole wheat penne pasta, cooked
olive oil
extra firm tofu, cut into 1/4 inch squares
zucchini, cut into 1/4 inch squares
bell pepper, coarsely diced
blue cheese
Italian vinaigrette
fresh ground black pepper
red pepper
salt

Instructions:
Marinade the tofu in the vinaigrette for a few minutes. Heat some olive oil in a saute pan. Add the tofu and zucchini. Cook for a few minutes and then add the bell pepper. Add the black and red pepper and the salt. Cook until browned to your liking. Mix the cooked vegetables with the pasta, blue cheese and vinaigrette to your taste.