Crispened Tofu Salad

This recipe is healthy, a good blend of crispy and spongy, and full of color, taste and freshness.....in essence, my mantra for a good meal!

Ingredients for the salad:
1 packmedium firm Tofu: slice into 1/2 inch by 3 inch pieces
Plum Tomato 1 medium (could substitute with tomatoes of your choice) diced
Cucumber 1 small diced
Carrots diced
Lettuce 6-10 leaves chopped
Dry ginger powder 1tsp
Dry onion powder 1tsp
Sesame seeds 1 tsp
Salt pinch
Cayenne pepper 1/4 tsp
Orange zest 1/4 tsp
Vegetable Oil

Ingredients for the dressing:
Mayonese 3 tbsp
Extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp
Water 2 tbsp
Salt 1/2 tsp
Lemon juice 1 tsp
Black pepper 1/4 tsp


Preparation Method (for salad)
Season tofu using all the spices and oil and bake in oven for 15 minutes at 300 degrees. Then turn up to heat to broil for last 5 minutes to crispen the top. Remove and place on a bed of chopped lettuce and vegetables.

Preparation Method (for dressing)
In a food processor, add all ingredients (other than olive oil) and blend slowly while adding olive oil slowly.

Pour the dressing over the salad slowly and you're ready with this wonderfully delicious heart healthy meal.

Ginger-Cinnamon Squash Soup

Fall is my favorite season of the year. Back in the days, when I worked in Manhattan, I recall loving my walk from the Lexington Avenue E-line to my office on Park Avenue, in my Fall boots and poncho (Fall is also my favorite clothing season!) with the crisp Fall air hitting my cheeks. Now, with the Manhattan life behind me, I still love the Fall season and the change it signifies, beckoning a new year with its beautiful colors: the vibrant oranges, reds and yellows.

I was at Terhune Orchards on Saturday picking up some squash to make one of my favorite recipes for Fall: Ginger-cinnamon squash soup, mellow yet spicy at the same time bringing the perfect combination of sweet and savory warmth to your Fall lunch or supper.

Ingredients:
1 small-medium squash (about 3 pounds) should make 2.5 cups of pulp
2-3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp cinnamon powdered
1/2 large onion sliced
1 tbsp ginger root grated
1 tbsp sour cream (optional)
1 tbsp almonds sliced and dry toasted in oven
1 tsp brown sugar
2 cups of water
salt to taste
sprinkle of black pepper

Cooking Method:
Pre-heat oven to broil setting. Half the squash and remove seeds from cavity, baste oil on the surface and broil in oven for 40-45 minutes. Scoop out pulp using a spoon and puree in a food processor. In a saucepan, heat  1 tbsp oil, add onion and ginger and saute until light brown. Add the squash pulp, salt and cinnamon and boil until desired consistency is achieved (About 1/2 cup water should have boiled off). Add sugar and toasted almonds, black pepper and stir. Add sour cream on top (I did not add sour cream to the version in the picture to keep it light). Serve hot!