recipe - - - string beans with tofu and tomato

My first recipe on this blog is something I came up with while eating low carb in an attempt to rid myself of pregnancy weight at some point after one of the 3 pregnancies. Turns out it's really delicious and healthy. It has become a regular dish in our home.

I have experimented with different kinds of protein (fish, egg and chicken) but tofu is by far the best one. If you don't like tofu, well, don't use it. Omit it or try something else.

You will need:

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Extra firm tofu

Whole stringbeans - about a big bag - maybe a pound or pound and a half? washed and trimmed.

One onion - yellow or white

One small can of fire-roasted diced tomato. (if it's not fire-roasted it's fine. we'll all survive)

mozzarella or smoked mozzarella - for melting on top - optional

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NOW

Firstly press the tofu. What does this mean? Take the block and cut it into thirds that are each a third of the depth of the original (got it?). Then figure out a system to press and let the water come out - what I do is put a wood cutting board at an angle going into the sink - I put something small under the far end - - then I take the tofu and put it in a piece of foil folded. On top of the tofu-filled foil I put a plate and heavy stuff - cans of tomatoes, beans, cast-iron pans, whatever, and leave it for about 15 minutes.

Ideally after this step the tofu is frozen in these bricks and then defrosted in the microwave prior to use.

Why do all of this? To extract the moisture.

I still have yet to get tofu the way I really want it but this is the closest so far.

SO on to the recipe, right?

Aha - first step is actually to put a pot of water to boil and overcook the stringbeans. Boil for about 10 minutes. Trust me.
You can actually use frozen if you want, but in that case don't boil for 10 minutes, just defrost but make sure they are whole ones.

Now cut the tofu into about 1 inch squares - bite size pieces.

While the stringbeans are boiling, heat oil in an ovenproof sautee pan hot and put the tofu in there. Let it get a sear on it and flip it. When it looks nice and crispy, take it out and reserve.

In the same pan, lower the heat to medium and sautee the onion cut into thin semi-circles. Cook the onions for a few minutes until they get soft but not caramelized.

Now the fun part - - - add the (drained) stringbeans, the tofu and a can of fire-roasted tomatoes. Raise the heat a bit and it will bubble. Lower the heat and let it hang out until it doesn't look so watery. (very scientific, right?)

Now - - - this part is optional. If you are vegan skip it. If you don't want cheese skip it. If you don't have cheese in the house skip it.
Cover the whole thing with shredded or thinly-sliced mozarella and put it under the broiler for a minute. WATCH IT. IT WILL BURN.

Voila!

Guarantee you will like this dish.
Unless of course you do not like stringbeans or tofu or tomatoes : )

Delicious with brown rice or pasta as an entree or as a side with protein (last night we ate it with tilapia)

Time-saver: do the stringbean part in advance and have them waiting, boiled already, in the fridge.

Alone it is virtually carb-free, right?

If somebody tries this please let me know if you like it.