today: quick recipe with a mystery ingredient.

i came home starving today after a trip to the grocery store.

(no, it isn't wise to shop for groceries while hungry, but believe or not, i didn't realise that i was hungry at the time.)

anyways, i found this concoction quick and hearty. it reminded me of something between a chili and a minestrone, of all things.

as a heads up, one of the ingredients is NONSTANDARD.

ingredients.

1/2 block firm tofu, diced,

1/2 can black beans,

1 clove garlic, smashed beyond recognition and chopped,

either
    (a) leftover sauteed veggies
(i used extra green bell peppers, mushrooms, and red onion from an earlier omelette)
    (b) 1 cup frozen veggies, defrosted in warm water and drained

a big spoonful of sofrito [1] sauce;
store-bought is fine, and i used the Goya brand.

salt/pepper to taste,
frying oil; canola will do.

directions (10 minutes).

saute tofu with garlic in oil and a little salt: medium heat. include the veggies if they were previously frozen, otherwise when the contents seems a little dry, add the black beans (with a little of the liquid) and leftover veg.

** it should always look like a stew; add a little water if things look a little dry.

when the contents are simmering, make a shallow hole in the middle, and add sofrito. wait for gratifying sizzling smell, then stir and add pepper. if dry, add more water, and at the next simmer, shut off heat.

feeds one starving person, or two normal people.
enjoy with warm bread.


[1] i found a jar of spanish sofrito [wiki] on sale at the produce station, and it tastes like concentrated minestrone flavor, in sauce form.