hippie food doesn't make you hippy

it's 2011.

jesus.

we're getting old. 

at least i'm getting old or i feel like i'm getting old. 

too old to be eating the bell on a weekly or let's be honest, semiweekly basis. 

too old to buy vending machine crap other than for emergencies. 

too old to wear miniskirts. 

too old for barrettes and headbands. 

too old not to floss every night. 

too old not to apply night cream from a jar so heavy that it could be used for free weights. 

too old to be eating meat every day. 

thus, the need for hippie food.

hippie food is not a negative statement in any way.

i just like the sound of it.
and i associate tofu, whole wheat products and loads of veggies with the idea of hippie food.

it translates to good for you food.

that actually tastes damn good.

so i guess i'm a hippie now.

order the birkenstocks, give me a nature name and spray me with patouchlli!
errr maybe not...

But I am liking my bowl of tofu with assorted accouterments.
Accouterments are necessary.
You know how they say the women behind the man?
Well for me, the accouterments are just that to this meal.
Last night, the star was this beauty:

citrus rosemary grey salt, you can buy it here.
wow right?
well when you open it, it looks even better, like this:

look at all those gorgeous bits of flavor and texture just waiting to be applied to some tender meat tofu.
what can i say, old habits die hard.
even nelzo had my first reaction, "oh nice, we should put that on some steak!"
let's try that again, we should put that on some tofu!
yes, excellent idea.

will the next accoutrement please step up:

why it's fig balsamic vinegar of course.

rich and dark and just a little sweet to add to some sauteed mushrooms and caramelized onions.

and last, but certainly never least:

the perfect runny egg.
i am loyal to my runny egg.
loyalty, loyalty.

i credit bistro du coin for their genius Salade Frisée aux lardons that turned me on to the runny egg.
the runniness sort of turns into a sauce that melds all your food.
it doesn't taste like breakfast, don't worry.
it just adds something.
basically if you have any food and top it with a runny egg, it's going to be exponentially better.
pizza? yes. pasta? yes. roasted veggies? yes. burger? yes. hippie food? yes.
i guess i just wouldn't add it to sweets.....maybe...

anyway, with these accoutrement i made some mean hippie food.
hell, i've made so much hippie food lately, without getting fancy at all.
last week i just sprinkled some dried cumin on tofu and frozen green beans, sauteed them and then topped the whole mess with a runny egg.
and it was a kickass dinner.
but now post christmas i was able to show off my favorite foodie gifts and get fancy.
and for beginners like me, the fanciness helps.

Recipe: Fancy Tofu Hippie Food 

Ingredients:

1/2 block of tofu, drained 15-20 minutes

1 container chopped portabello mushrooms

2 shallots, minced

1/3 onion, minced

1 cup defrosted peas

1 cup whole wheat couscous

2 eggs 

liberal salt and pepper

1/2 tsp each dried basil, parsley, thyme

1.5 tbsp citrus rosemary salt

1.5 tbsp fig balsamic vinegar

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

grating pamesan cheese

Method:

-heat frying pan to medium heat

-saute onions and shallots in a bit of cooking spray and 1 tbsp olive oil for about 10 minutes

-add mushrooms to pan, stir around

-add 1/4 tsp each parsely, basil and thyme, salt and pepper to taste

-let cook 15 minutes

-add fig balsamic vinegar, stir to incorporate

-turn pan down to med-low, stir every five minutes

-cook couscous according to directions (i added 1/4 tsp dried parsely, basil and thyme, some salt and pepper and about 1 tbsp of olive oil to the water, wish i had vegetable stock)

-sprinkle and rub rosemary citrus salt into tofu

-cube tofu and pan fry in cooking spray till desired texture (mine took about 7-8 minutes per side)

-add cooked couscous and tofu to mushroom and onion mixture, stir in defrosted peas

-plate and top with fried runny egg, drizzle olive oil and a generous grating of parmesan cheese

-remain shocked and amazed that nelzo finally ate this as leftovers. yes!

oh and one more van action shot:

love the kick!