Carrottofudish Recipes

CEDAR-ROASTED CARROTS WITH TOFU AND CARROT PESTO

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325 degrees. Soak 4 sheets of cedar paper, about 8 inches square (sold in cookware and Japanese kitchen-equipment stores) in water for 10 minutes. Cut tops off carrots. Reserve 4 sprigs and chop 1 cup, packed, of the tops. Turn on food processor. Drop garlic in through the feed tube and process until minced, scraping down workbowl once or twice. Place chopped carrot tops and lemon juice in processor and process until minced. With machine running, drizzle in 1/2 cup olive oil. Process to a purée. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Place baby carrots in a large bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Drain cedar paper and spread in the bottom of a roasting pan. Spread carrots evenly on top, cover with foil, place over medium-high heat until the oil starts to sizzle, then place in the oven until carrots are tender, about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of the carrots. Remove from oven and wrap loosely in the foil to keep warm.
• Combine diced carrots and carrot juice in a saucepan and cook on medium about 5 minutes until about half the liquid has evaporated. Transfer to a blender, add grated ginger and process to a purée. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm. Microwave tofu one minute to warm it, or warm in a steamer.
• Make a pool of carrot purée on each of 4 dinner plates, spoon the tofu on each and arrange the roasted carrots on top. Drizzle the pesto around, garnish with some sprigs of carrot tops and scatter sesame seeds on top. Serve warm.

STIR-FRIED TOFU WITH CARROTS AND RED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Cut the tofu into 1/4-inch matchsticks and place them on paper towels. Place another paper towel on top and prepare the remaining ingredients.
• In a small bowl or measuring cup combine the soy sauce, rice wine or sherry, and the sesame oil. Combine the salt, pepper and sugar in another small bowl. Have all the ingredients within arm's reach of your pan.
• Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok or 12-inch steel skillet over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within a second or two when added to the pan. Swirl in 1 tablespoon of the oil by adding it to the sides of the pan and swirling the pan, then add the tofu. Reduce the heat to medium and stir-fry 1 to 2 minutes, until it begins to brown. Add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry for no more than 10 seconds.
• Swirl in the remaining oil and add the carrots, red pepper, mushrooms, and spring onion or red onion. Turn the heat to high and stir-fry for 1 minute, or until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the salt, pepper and sugar, toss together and add the soy sauce mixture. Stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, until the vegetables are crisp-tender, stir in the cilantro and serve.