I do have a New Year’s Resolution or two… one of which is to save money by eating out less. I’m trying to only eat out two times a week. Which means, back to cooking!

I adapted this recipe from Better Homes and Gardens Magazine – January 2012.

the toasted sesame seeds on top are just exquisite – ha!

Ingredients:

• 5 T soy sauce
• 2 t tahini
• 5 t honey
• 1/2 package extra-firm tofu, cubed
• 1 large red bell pepper, sliced
• 2 T vegetable oil
• 2 green onions, white parts thinly sliced and green tops chopped and reserved
• 1 T grated fresh ginger
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 C vegetable broth
• 4 t corn starch
• 1 T rice vinegar
• 1 t chili powder
• 1 small head broccoli, cut in florets and steamed
• 3 T toasted sesame seeds
• cooked brown rice (I used 10-minute rice-in-a-bag)

Instructions:

1. Whisk together 3 T of soy sauce, 1 t tahini, and 2 t honey in a medium bowl. Add tofu and stir to coat.
2. Heat 1 T of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu and red peppers and cook until browned. Transfer to another dish.
3. In the same skillet, heat remaining T vegetable oil. Add white parts of onion, garlic, and ginger. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes. In a separate bowl, whisk broth, 2 T soy sauce, 3 t honey, cornstarch, vinegar, and chili powder until cornstarch and honey are incorporated. Add sauce to skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until thickened. Stir in remaining tahini.
4. Place brown rice on serving dish. Top with tofu. Surround with broccoli and red peppers. Pour sauce over the dish. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions tops. Serves 4.

This was absolutely delicious and under 400 calories per serving. I shared with my roommate, and so now have 2 more meals packed away in the refrigerator. Also, when I total up the money I spent on groceries, this meal cost less than $3.50 a serving. I did have a couple of items on hand, like the broth and tahini. But I had to buy a few staples that you may already have in your pantry, like soy sauce and corn starch. Regardless – cooking at home certainly beats ordering take-out!

I have to admit, while I’ve been eating a vegetarian diet for 20 months now, this was my first time to buy and prepare tofu at home. I feel so legit. I was surprised that the certified organic tofu I bought only cost $1.89. And its chock-full of soy protein!

Happy cooking (and eating!), friends.

P.S. For those who commiserated with me on my bronchitis in the last post, thanks. I’m still not 100%, but feeling much better now.