Ponzu-Sesame Tofu & Vegetables over Brown Rice

Step 1

Press the tofu

Step 2

Place an oven rack in the center of the oven, then preheat to 450°F. Fill a medium pot 3/4 of the way up with salted water; cover and heat to boiling on high. Drain the tofu. Place on a paper towel-lined plate. Place several layers of paper towels on top, then place a separate heavy-bottomed pot (or pan) on top. Set aside to release the excess liquid at least 10 minutes.

Step 3

Prepare the remaining ingredients & make the sauce

Step 4

Meanwhile, wash and dry the fresh produce. Cut off and discard the bottom 1/2 inch of the broccoli stem; cut the broccoli into small florets. Peel the carrots and thinly slice on an angle. Thinly slice the scallions, separating the white bottoms and hollow green tops. Peel and roughly chop 2 cloves of garlic. Cut off and discard the stems of the peppers; cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces. Thoroughly wash your hands, knife, and cutting board immediately after handling. In a bowl, combine the soy-miso sauce, ponzu sauce, and as much of the sambal as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be.

Step 5

Cook the rice

Step 6

Add the rice to the pot of boiling water and cook, uncovered, 17 to 19 minutes, or until tender. Drain thoroughly and return to the pot. Cover to keep warm.

Step 7

Roast the broccoli & peppers

Step 8

Meanwhile, place the broccoli florets and pepper pieces on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat and arrange in an even layer. Roast 14 to 16 minutes, or until browned and tender when pierced with a fork. Remove from the oven.

Step 9

Prepare & sear the tofu

Step 10

Meanwhile, transfer the pressed tofu to a cutting board; medium dice. In a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat the sesame oil on medium-high until hot. Add the diced tofu in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 4 to 5 minutes, or until lightly browned; season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes, or until browned on all sides. Transfer to a large bowl; cover with foil to keep warm. Wipe out the pan.

Step 11

Cook the carrots & serve your dish

Step 12

In the same pan, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the sliced carrots in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 4 to 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the sliced white bottoms of the scallions and chopped garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until slightly softened. Add the sauce (carefully, as the liquid may splatter). Cook, stirring frequently, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until slightly thickened. Transfer to the bowl of seared tofu. Add the roasted vegetables and stir to combine. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve the finished tofu and vegetables over the cooked rice. Garnish with the sliced green tops of the scallions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Step 13

Press the tofu

Step 14

Place an oven rack in the center of the oven, then preheat to 450°F. Fill a medium pot 3/4 of the way up with salted water; cover and heat to boiling on high. Drain the tofu. Place on a paper towel-lined plate. Place several layers of paper towels on top, then place a separate heavy-bottomed pot (or pan) on top. Set aside to release the excess liquid at least 10 minutes.

Step 15

Prepare the remaining ingredients & make the sauce

Step 16

Meanwhile, wash and dry the fresh produce. Cut off and discard the bottom 1/2 inch of the broccoli stem; cut the broccoli into small florets. Peel the carrots and thinly slice on an angle. Thinly slice the scallions, separating the white bottoms and hollow green tops. Peel and roughly chop 2 cloves of garlic. Cut off and discard the stems of the peppers; cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces. Thoroughly wash your hands, knife, and cutting board immediately after handling. In a bowl, combine the soy-miso sauce, ponzu sauce, and as much of the sambal as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be.

Step 17

Cook the rice

Step 18

Add the rice to the pot of boiling water and cook, uncovered, 17 to 19 minutes, or until tender. Drain thoroughly and return to the pot. Cover to keep warm.

Step 19

Roast the broccoli & peppers

Step 20

Meanwhile, place the broccoli florets and pepper pieces on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat and arrange in an even layer. Roast 14 to 16 minutes, or until browned and tender when pierced with a fork. Remove from the oven.

Step 21

Prepare & sear the tofu

Step 22

Meanwhile, transfer the pressed tofu to a cutting board; medium dice. In a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat the sesame oil on medium-high until hot. Add the diced tofu in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 4 to 5 minutes, or until lightly browned; season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 4 minutes, or until browned on all sides. Transfer to a large bowl; cover with foil to keep warm. Wipe out the pan.

Step 23

Cook the carrots & serve your dish

Step 24

In the same pan, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the sliced carrots in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 4 to 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the sliced white bottoms of the scallions and chopped garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until slightly softened. Add the sauce (carefully, as the liquid may splatter). Cook, stirring frequently, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until slightly thickened. Transfer to the bowl of seared tofu. Add the roasted vegetables and stir to combine. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve the finished tofu and vegetables over the cooked rice. Garnish with the sliced green tops of the scallions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!