– Stuff I’ve said many times before: I’ve been so busy! I can’t believe this month is almost over! I hate that I haven’t been writing more here! It’s all still true. I’ve hardly even been taking photos; I have just a handful from the past week. Luckily, my teaching schedule slows down after this week — just in time for other busyness to take its place.
– I got the above plates from a thrift store this weekend. Four dinner plates, six snack plates, six berry bowls, and two cup-and-saucer sets for $28. I figured out that it’s a pattern by Stetson Pottery, from the 1950s or ’60s. It seems like I got a good deal according to the prices dotted around the internet — a really good deal if you go by this site, which lists a dinner plate for $12. I usually like plain white dinnerware, but I needed to get some new stuff, and I’m kind of enamored with this pattern, now.
– Seriously, tofu. It’s so good. If you don’t like tofu, you haven’t had it prepared properly; I just can’t believe otherwise. This was about as simple as it gets: I pressed the tofu (half a block, sliced down the middle for two big, flat pieces) wrapped in a flour sack towel for 30-45 minutes, then cut it into pieces and tossed it with 2-ish tablespoons of soy sauce. After letting it sit for a while (15-20 minutes) I put a small amount of sesame oil in a hot pan and sauteed the tofu on at least two sides (I get really fussy and turn each piece individually, but that’s just because I’m… like that). Then I added some cooked broccoli and poured over another tablespoon of soy sauce. Adding that extra bit after the tofu has already been cooking seems to flavor it differently (and it gets in the broccoli, too, plus I think the heat punches up the soy sauce flavor). The way I feel about savory tofu is what I think crazy bacon people must feel about bacon. (But I have the good sense not to put it in cookies and other unwelcome places.)
Hi Anna! I found your blog just a few weeks ago and I have to say that I really, really enjoy reading your posts! Your pictures are always beautiful and the food you cook looks absolutely declicious.
I’m looking forward to regularly reading your blog. Cheers!
Thanks, Miya! I’ll try to start updating more regularly soon, so you’ll have something to regularly read!
I love your site! I promised my mom I’d make her a zippered makeup case and now that I’m ready to make it, the tutorial button doesn’t work! Please help! I haven’t found any other tutorial as good as yours so I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it for her if I don’t have access to your tutorial. Thank you!
Seanna
Thanks for alerting me to that, Seanna! I’ve updated the links, so they should work now. Have fun!
Hi Anna,
Nice to see you back; I was wondering where were you? I really love your blog and I’m one of your very old fans, since 2005! That is a long time to, isn’t it?
Ok, I’m in a stalking mood today, hehe. Remember you said you will post photos of the gifts you made for Xams? I’m still waiting. What about your camping tent, did you get to use?
Ok, better stop now or you will think Im a stalker, hehe.
Good luck with teaching, I really hate teachings ( I taught at the University when I was living in London for about 6 years and I hate it so much, I decided to pack and leave.)
Cyrene
I love sauteed tofu that is crispy on the outside. Mine frequently sticks to the pan. I’m going to try your suggestion of the sesame oil. Thanks!
I also am a proponent of ToFu! However, I find it even easier to panfry (and an alternative to pressing when I don’t have the proper cloths) if I bake it before panfrying. I usually cut one block into eight long slices, placing each on a non-greased baking sheet before baking them for 20 minutes on 325-350°. Sometimes I spray a tidbit of soya sauce over each slice -I highly recommend Golden Mountain Light Soya Sauce, it has a smoky flavour due to its slightly longer fermentation process- and if I have time, will lower the temperature to 300°, baking for 15 minutes on each side. After that, panfrying is simpler and less oil is needed to prevent sticking! I just found your blog, and am already enjoying it immensely!
That’s a really good tip, Ellen! At first I was thinking, ‘Well, baking wouldn’t save any time,’ but you’re right — sometimes I just don’t have the right towels for pressing, especially if I’m away from home. Thanks!