Real African Dishes: [MC-AllEthnic-Recipes] Bibimbap With Tofu, Cucumbers, Spinach, Shiitakes and Carrots

* Exported from MasterCook *

Bibimbap With Tofu, Cucumbers, Spinach, Shiitakes and Carrots - Korean

Recipe By :Martha Rose Shulman
Serving Size : 4 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : LowerCarbs Vegan

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
For the tofu:
1 tablespoon Asian sesame oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons mirin -- (sweet Japanese rice wine)
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh ginger -- minced or grated
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 pound tofu -- (to taste)
For the vegetables:
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 large garlic cloves -- minced or puréed
2 scallions -- to 3, minced
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Salt -- to taste
Korean red pepper paste -- (kochujang) to taste (available at Korean markets) (optional)
2 Persian cucumbers -- or 1/2 long European cucumber, thinly sliced
6 ounces carrots -- (1 large), peeled and cut in matchsticks or grated
1 large bunch spinach -- stemmed, or 1 6-ounce bag baby spinach
6 fresh shiitake mushrooms -- stemmed and sliced
Soy sauce -- to taste
1 tablespoon canola oil
For the rice and garnishes:
1 1/2 cups brown rice -- to 2 cups, barley, quinoa or another grain of your choice, cooked (keep hot)
4 eggs -- (optional)
Korean red pepper paste -- (kochujang) to taste (available at Korean markets)
2 sheets nori seaweed -- (kimgui), lightly toasted* and cut into thin strips (optional)
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds -- or black sesame seeds

1. Combine all of the tofu marinade ingredients in a 2-quart bowl. Whisk
together well.

2. Drain the tofu and pat dry with paper towels. Cut into 1/2-inch-thick
dominoes, blot again with paper towels and add to the bowl with the
marinade. Gently toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes to an
hour, or for up to a day.

3. Mix together the rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, scallions, sesame
seeds and salt to taste in a small bowl or measuring cup. Add red pepper
paste if desired. Set aside.

4. While the tofu is marinating, toss the cucumber with salt to taste and
place in a colander in the sink for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse and squeeze
dry. Place in a bowl and toss with 2 teaspoons of the vinegar and sesame
oil mixture. In a separate bowl, toss the carrots with 1 tablespoon of the
vinegar and sesame oil mixture. Refrigerate both the cucumbers and carrots
while you cook the tofu, spinach and mushrooms.

5. Wash the spinach and wilt in a large frying pan over high heat. Remove
from the heat, press out excess water and toss in a bowl with 1 tablespoon
of the vinegar and sesame oil mixture.

6. Heat a wok or large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat until a drop
of water evaporates immediately on contact and add the canola oil.
Stir-fry the tofu for 3 to 5 minutes, until lightly browned, and remove to
a plate. Add the shiitakes to the pan, let sit without stirring for 1
minute, then stir-fry for another minute or two, until tender. Remove to a
plate.

7. Fry the eggs in the hot pan or in a separate nonstick skillet until the
whites are set and the yolks are still runny. Season with salt and pepper.

8. Heat 4 wide soup bowls. Place a mound of hot grains in the middle of
each one and surround with the tofu and vegetables, as well as kimchi if
desired, each ingredient in its own little pile. Place a fried egg and a
small spoonful of chili paste on top of the rice and garnish with the
toasted nori and sesame seeds. Serve at once. Diners should break the egg
into the rice. Pass the chili paste and add more as desired.

Note: You can also arrange the food on a large platter and serve family
style.

Yield: 4 servings.

Advance preparation: You can do this in whatever order is convenient for
you. The grains can be cooked ahead and reheated. The vegetables can all
be prepared ahead and refrigerated, then reheated before serving. It's
best to cook the tofu and mushrooms just before serving so they're nice
and hot. But since this is often a way to use leftovers, you can also
reheat.

* Toast nori sheets (if not toasted already) by quickly passing them over
a gas flame (hold with tongs) until crisp.

Nutritional information per serving: 322 calories (44% fat); 16 grams
total fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 7 grams polyunsaturated fat; 6 grams
monounsaturated fat; 0 milligrams cholesterol; 31 grams carbohydrates; 7
grams dietary fiber; 186 milligrams sodium (does not include salt to
taste); 15 grams protein

For this dish, instead of using the traditional Korean marinade, I use my
favorite marinade for the tofu; it includes mirin, sweet Japanese rice
wine.

Feb 21, 2012

Cuisine:
"Asian"
Source:
"Recipes for Heatlh, New York Times, Feb 21, 2012"
S(Formatted by Chupa Babi):
"Feb 2012"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 594 Calories; 23g Fat (34.8%
calories from fat); 24g Protein; 74g Carbohydrate; 7g Dietary Fiber; 212mg
Cholesterol; 1131mg Sodium. Exchanges: 4 Grain(Starch); 2 Lean Meat; 1
1/2 Vegetable; 3 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

Nutr. Assoc. : 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 901365 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0