Snazzy Baked Orange Tofu
1 block firm tofu, drained and pressed (and frozen and thawed, if that's what floats your boat)
1 can mandarin orange segments in juice
2 tablespoon tamari
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 minced cloves of garlic
hot pepper flakes to taste
sesame seeds, for garnish
Cut tofu in half by width and then lengthwise, so you have four thin slabs. Arrange in a baking dish and pour over it: orange segments, including juice; soy sauce; sesame oil; garlic cloves; and pepper flakes. Cover and let marinate at least half an hour.
Preheat over to 375F. Bake tofu uncovered twenty minutes per side, or until orange segments cook down into mush. Arrange orange mush over tofu pieces, garnish with sesame seeds, and serve over rice.
(Of course, you could throw this together in the morning and let it marinate all day. When you come home from work, throw it in the oven, put the rice on and pour yourself a drink. When you're done with your drink, steam some vegetables, then call the neighbours and brag about how awesome you are.)
SO HOW'D IT GO?
The sauce smelled and tasted wonderful during the cooking process, but failed to permeate the tofu much. The bland tofu, rice, and veggies proved to be overpowering for the sauce :x
This was really tasty! I like my tofu a little chewier, so next time I'll make it in a shallow pan, but actually, the texture wasn't bad, and the sauce was great!! It's easy to throw together. I'll definitely be making this again. Very family-friendly!
I don't marinate my tofu any more. Instead, I slice the tofu and put it in a small sauce pan, add the marinade ingredients and simmer for 1/2 to 3/4 of an hour, then put it on an oiled cookie sheet & bake it. Cooking the tofu in the "good stuff" really sends the flavor deep into all of it.