Broccoli-Tofu (only!) Stir-Fry

I wanted to use the tofu and the broccoli that have been sitting in my fridge for a while so today I improvised this recipe.

6 ounces extra-firm tofu
2 tablespoons soy sauce (thanks nay!)
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (if I had it, I might use rice wine vinegar instead)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 bunches broccoli
4 tablespoons of flour
1 egg

Before marinating the tofu, its important to get rid of all the excess liquid in the tofu. This makes the tofu more firm and dense. Wrap the block of tofu in several layers of paper towel or a regular dish and place on a cake pan. Put another cake dish or a plate on top of it and put something heavy over the top dish. I used my bottle of balsamic vinegar but a can of soup would do the job too. Let this sit as long as you can wait. Ideally, you would let this sit several hours (if not longer, according to Alton Brown), but I was starving so 30 minutes was all I could wait. It ended up being not as firm as I would like, so I wish I would have let it drain for longer. Do not skip this step, even the 30 minutes took out loads of moisture.

For the tofu's marinade, mix together the soy sauce, honey, vinegar, oil, and garlic. When the tofu is dry, cut it into small (1-inch) cubes and drop into the marinade. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

While the tofu is marinating, you can cook the broccoli (only partially, since you will sautée it later). Cut the bunches of broccoli into florets and rinse quickly. In a large pot, boil 2-3 cups of salted water. Place a bowl of ice water next to the stove. Drop the broccoli into the pot and cook for 2 minutes. Remove the broccoli from the pot and drop it into the ice water to stop the cooking and keep the broccoli green and crunchy. When the broccoli has cooled, remove the excess water by dropping the broccoli in a colander.

Place your flour in a small bowl near the stove. Crack and beat the egg in another small bowl. When the tofu has marinated sufficiently, remove it from the fridge and drain on paper towels to remove any extra marinade. Save some of the marinade to add to the stir-fry at the end (this is the beauty of tofu! With meat, you would have had to put this aside at the beginning to avoid cross-contamination). Place a skillet (or wok) on medium-high heat and heat enough oil to coat the bottom. Dip tofu in flour and shake to remove excess flour and then dip into egg mixture. When the oil is hot, drop the floury eggy tofu into the pan and fry for about 2 minutes. After 2 minutes flip the tofu and let it cook 2 minutes on the other side. At this point, add the broccoli to the pan and fry together. After just a couple minutes, you can add more of the marinade to the pan if you think it needs some moisture. If you'd like it to be more solid and chunky, avoid adding any more sauce to it.

Overall, I really enjoyed this recipe. My only regret is that the tofu didn't sit long enough in the towels and it was a little softer than I would have liked. Still, for my first time working with tofu, it was an enjoyable experience.

that which plagues my mind (in the kindest way possible)

I am constantly questioning myself for wearing hijab, not because I think its a particularly big deal whether I wear it or not, but more because I see the importance in playing devils advocate with myself so that I have more respect for my decisions. I come up with many questions and some get answered and some don't, and that doesn't worry me (too much), because a) I think its part of the process and b) sometimes the answers come to me when I least expect them. I find that a lot of my questions about hijab can really be translated well to different perspectives and different people because the questions often pertain to anything that makes us different (chosen or not).

Today, I have been considering the implications of taking something which is a reflection of my private beliefs (presupposing that religious/spiritual interactions and beliefs are [and should be (thats right, I went there)] private), into the public sphere of my existence. How do we (any of us, really) strike a balance between remaining true to our identities without imposing too much (of our ideals, values, styles, beliefs, etc.) onto others? If we are in fact doing so, is there anything really wrong with that?

Just a thought...

Underrated Foods (Round #2)

new additions:
-> toast with honey (and butter, if you're feeling extra bad): warm, crunchy, sweet with a hint of honey's floral qualities
-> peanut butter: sneaking a spoonful at unusual times (like I did as a kid) is the perfect treat of salty, savory, creamy, peanut-y goodness
-> mozzarella cheese: amidst all my lust for pungent cheeses, i forgot the beauty of the simple, soft saltiness

previously added:
-> cupcakes: light, moist, and the perfect portion of cake-y goodness
-> milkshakes: anything with as much fat and sugar as ice cream in a drink form cannot be bad
-> cheese fondue: my current (and only) fav is jarlsberg and gruyere with crusty french bread
-> pirogies: ravioli-like pasta filled with cheesy mashed potatoes...i usually don't like pasta, but this is an exception
-> grilled meat and seafood (especially calamari): breading is so unnecessary, let real flavors shine!

Lime Grilled Shrimp Salad (for one)

So I have not posted anything in a while and want to take this blog back in the food direction. Nothing fancy tonight, just a little shrimp salad I whipped up for a late, light dinner. I love the combination of lime with shrimp (oooh, maybe later I should do lime-shrimp tacos!) and have fallen back in love with romaine after spending about a year avoiding it in favor of mixed greens so here is a variation of a Robin Miller (who I'm actually not a big fan of) salad. The dressing is just a variation of my favorite Dijon/Olive Oil/Balsamic mixture. To compliment the lime on the shrimp, I swapped out the acid of the trio (Balsamic) for lime/lemon juice, which is equally acidic. The dressing is pretty tart and lime-y so if you think you might like something more balanced, definitely use orange juice instead of lime juice. Here's the modified/adapted recipe:

1/4 pound large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 teaspoon finely grated lime zest from 1 lime, reserve lime (don't leave this out!)
2 tablespoons lime juice (you could also use orange or lemon juice)
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2-3 wooden skewers
1-2 baby onions, chopped finely (if you have fresh chives, that would work well)
1 1/2 cups lettuce (I used plain old Romaine but endive or baby greens would be delicious too)
1/4 cup yellow squash (I prefer yellow because I love the color, but you could also use zucchini)
1/4 cup halved cherry tomatoes

Preheat outdoor grill or stove-top grill pan to medium-high and coat with a small amount of oil or cooking spray. Skewer shrimp on wooden skewers and set aside. Zest lime, then slice in half and place on grill.

In a small bowl, combine lime juice, oil, mustard, lime zest, salt, and black pepper. Brush about a tablespoon of the mixture onto the shrimp and grill shrimp 3 minutes on one side. Flip and cook 2 to 3 more minutes, until shrimp are bright pink and cooked through.

Add chopped onion to the rest of the dressing. Mix lettuce, squash, and cherry tomatos on a plate. Squeeze the grilled lime onto the shrimp and top salad with the shrimp. Pour dressing over the top and enjoy

unbelievable...

haven't posted one of these in a while

Tracy Chapman - Change

At last!!!

I never knew an article of clothing could mean so much to me! About a year ago, I couldn't find one of my favorite shirts and simply assumed I had lost it. Today, I found it in my laundry room, just waiting to be discovered! I had so many fun memories in this shirt (especially at the beach, for some reason). You know how in movies and shows people have one shirt they always wear? This is mine from now on!
I haven't even tried it on so I'll laugh if its too small for me or something...

Either way, happy findings and happy fathers day!

i got a crush on obama

is it sad that i'm actually enjoying the song?

a psuedo-treatise on religion and the individual

Religious people, especially Muslims, place so much emphasis on community that it hinders their understanding and spiritual growth. I resent the mosque because it is supposed to be the place for learning and I don't learn anything from there. We go there, we sit, and we listen. Sometimes we are pleased by what we hear because it's interesting and maybe even it gets us thinking, but ultimately little to no change comes of that which we just heard. I learn the most, especially with regards to my spiritual nature, when I am alone. Those moments of solace in which I come to these huge (seemingly meaningless) conclusions about life and myself (see: A Treatise on Being Young and Feeling Old) occur independent of (not) attending some kind of religious institution, whether it be the mosque or even a speech. You can attend every center in the country and hear the most brilliant speakers, but the ultimate change which shakes you to your core and gives you that special euphoria of understanding can only occur in your heart. Listening only takes you so far before it drops you off at the side of the road and forces you to walk the rest of the way (i.e. internalize and translate your thoughts into action [physical or spiritual]). Don't get me wrong, mosques and institutions of religion and spirituality aren't completely useless. They are only limited in what they can offer us (a superficial sense of community---at best). There is absolutely too much of a reliance on community structure. People don't give their own minds, spirits, energies enough credit. Sometimes I think we have all the answers ourselves but we have to hurt and fall and challenge ourselves until we can reach into ourselves and pull them out (kind of like this). Before I end this portion on that note, I would like to also mention that I don't want to denigrate the value of being social by advocating solidarity. The conversations with my brilliant friends and family are the catalysts for many of my understanding. But those too, like speeches and community, are limited in helping you achieve an ultimate state of understanding (nirvana?).

I would also like to mention that unlike Drew Baylor, I would like to completely reject the notion that things really are black and white. I have spent my entire life approach situations as "either/or"'s and I am starting to appreciate the use of "and"s. I think the process of rejecting that which your parents/society/religion attempts to drill into your brain, becoming liberal, becoming open-minded, and working towards freedom has helped me to realize the value in the spectrum. I would like to use this opportunity once and for all to say that I reject the traditional notion of seratal mostaghim ("the straight path"). There is no straight path and no straight line. Maybe ultimately, each one of us, will see our own lives as some type of path towards something, but to contend that there is one road we all should go down is just ludicrous (not to mention black and white). I find that embracing the notion of a spectrum has helped me approach situations and life holistically more fully and richly.

so sad

Here is the conversation that unfolded when my father and I went to see Ocean's 13 for Father's Day tonight.

::me and my father walk in movie just as it begins playing::
Dad: (asks 2 questions about other 2 movies)
Sara: (responds whispering)
Woman next to me: Are you going to be talking the entire movie?
S: No, I'm sorry, he just had a quick question.
W: Really? Because you were really going on for a while there. (NOTE: about a minute had passed since we sat down.)
S: I'm sorry.
D: If you have such a problem with it, you can move.
W: No, I was here first you can move.
S: (quiets down Dad) I'm sorry.

::movie plays and is over::

S (to W): I just wanted to say... I completely understood your position and I would have been annoyed in that situation too, but its really not necessary to be so rude.
W: Well, you were being rude by walking in late (NOTE: Again, we walked in just as the movie began) and then chatting for five minutes.
S: It was only about a minute, and I'm sorry if that minute bothered you so much.
W: Well I'm sorry you had to be so rude and annoying to everyone here.
S: Well I'm sorry you're such a bitch.
W: Being that rude might be acceptable in your country, but here it's not.
S: (was walking away but now turned around) MY country? You have a lot of nerve. MY country? I was born here and am just as American as you, so no, I would say in OUR country walking in right on time and talking for a minute is not the rudest thing to do. I apologize that our 60 seconds of talking was so infuriating that you felt the need to be so rude.

I can't tell you how many times I have encountered people this rude, but every time it just breaks my heart. And for a couple minutes, I'm really angry, but I'm mostly just sad. I don't know why it breaks my heart, as they are the ones who are so ignorant and arrogant, but somehow it just stings. I guess that makes me weak. It probably would have been better if I would have just walked away at the end of the movie, but my ego got the best of me and I had to put my foot down that it's just not okay to talk to people like that. I doubt she learned a lesson. I forgot how hateful people can be...

Ron Paul

I missed this episode of Bill Maher but stumbled upon this clip. I haven't been watching the Republican debates because quite frankly, I just can't bear it, but this Ron Paul fellow is making me a little bit interested. I probably would never vote Republican, but if I had to...he would be my vote. Don't you love people who are educated and actually know something? The nerve of these other candidates...

Vanity Fair's Covers

I usually find it kind of phony when corporations get a bunch of celebrities together for a good cause. I've heard (not verifiable) that the Gap branch of the Red campaign spent more money hiring celebrities to pose than the money ultimately collected and sent to HIV-related causes. This month's Vanity Fair selection of covers (guest editor: Bono) also to bring awareness to the Red campaign, is quite impressive. Instead of calling for action bluntly (which is also important and necessary), the articles serve to highlight and call to attention these various philanthropists (ugh, do Bush and Rice really count?). It is done in a very cool way---photographically speaking. I'm trying to see if you can purchase the poster of all the covers without getting a subscription.

Take a look at the slide-show of covers at:
http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/07/onthecover_slideshow200707

I usually find it kind of phony when corporations get a bunch of celebrities together for a good cause. The Gap Red campaign for example spent more money paying celebrities to pose than the money ultimately collected and sent to HIV-related causes. But this month's Vanity Fair selection of covers is quite impressive. Instead of phonying for a cause, the articles serve to highlight and call to attention these various philanthropists (ugh, do Bush and Rice really count?). It is done in a very cool way---photographically speaking.

Take a look at the slide-show of covers at: http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/africa

now that's the spirit

This is what I call standing up and saying, "I'm not doing this anymore."

before i get too serious...

Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength.

Iran Condemns Award-Winning Film (Persepolis)

Just another piece of evidence that the current Iranian government (mullahs, officials and all) is the most uneducated, illiterate, and unintelligent group to take power in quite a while (sound familiar?). It was one thing to make a fuss about 300, which while I found a little silly was relevant, considering Frank Miller's blatant political agendas. This is a story about the people, about their experiences, and about what it meant to be living during the Iranian Revolution for everyday people who weren't radically religious or wildly secular. Having read the book which the movie is based off of (Perspepolis), it is not littered with political spewings and rants, but is rather an earnest attempt to personalize Iranian history. Amidst the lies and garbage that the Iranian government and their cronies feed the new generation about the Iranian Revolution, more books like this are necessary to set the record straight and bring these historical events to life. Moreover, the book is well-written and lovely. Perhaps they should learn to

I am really starting to believe that anyone who is idiotic enough to vote for these people deserves the hell they are living in. What is so funny to me is how they are now trying to play it off like France has always been Islamophobic. How soon they forget that it was France that housed and educated their beloved Khomeini when he was exiled out of Iran! If you are going to talk about Islamophobia, you can start with your little next door neighbor, Turkey. They are just trying to inflame political tensions with the West, without stopping to examine the reality or importance of a work of art. I shouldn't even dignify their stupidity with this response but I am just so appalled, outraged, and worst of all humiliated. Is it so much to ask to have a government who isn't...hmm...made up of jackasses?

a treatise on being young and feeling old

and the question is: was i more alive then than i am now?
i happily have to disagree.
i laugh more often now, i cry more often now, i am more me.

Being home from college and spending so much time working, reading, and with friends makes me feel very distinctly old. I'm not sure what exactly it is--seeing how I've done all these things before--but everything just feels different.

For one thing, I've spent a very pensive year away from all of this. All of that time alone with my thoughts has renewed my perspective (perhaps "renew" is the incorrect word, as it is a new perspective, independent of all other prior perspectives [perhaps I mean "refresh"]) on all of the elements that make up this life. I find myself more conscious, more reserved, more green, more emotional, and just more.

Another thing is, I think now, more than at any other time, I find myself more prepared to express myself. When sitting and talking with friends (which I stop to do more often now), I find myself able to say what I mean exactly, without any hesitations or aberrations. It's a beautiful thing to sit around and hear (and say) so many meaningful statements that you wonder if you even can take it all. Now that I'm here, let me digress for a moment. Recently I have been thinking about how lucky people are to be able to interact with one another. In education for example, our professors spend years and years studying histories and art pieces and theorems, all so they can sum it up for us in one lecture. Aren't we so lucky to be able to have all of their experience and expertise abridged for us? It's the same with friends and life lessons. Often times, we don't completely comprehend the magnitude and relevance of our friend's discoveries (like for example: "you shouldn't judge someone for something because you may find yourself in their shoes one day"), but in reality we should relish these wisdoms that are so often the product of some tumultuous and emotional experience that we didn't have. I have become so grateful to have people in my life--educators or friends--to share with me (and abridge) all of their emotions and thoughts and experiences into these phrases that I probably don't even completely understand. A digression on my digression: Is my appreciation of abridged versions uniquely lazy (and dare I say American) or is it just reasonable to appreciate that which takes the least amount of time?

Back to my discussion on the changes in my life...in reading more, I have had a renewed sense of appreciation for language. The experiences, thoughts, emotions, and ideas we can convey and share with one another through a series of arbitrary characters is really astounding. Literature is an incredible way to share all of the above with one another. Reading is phenomenal.

Also, I have begun to feel a sense of urgency in defining the person I want to be and doing more to get there. This has included utilizing public transportation more consistently (something I have realized I feel very strongly about...the environment that is), reading more often, and spending less time talking and more time listening (I have always hoped to be someone who is not a mess of thousands of words but rather a series of precisely considered thoughts). It's not that I feel too old to change, but rather that I feel that I am getting too old to stay stagnant and still be the undeveloped, careless person I was. I want to be someone intense because I have decided that life is intense and magnificent and profound and we should approach it with a deep sense of appreciation.

amidst my history of israel studying, i remembered this:

[Bree has agreed to try "dominating" Rex]
Rex: If things do get too rough, we'll have a control word. If one of us says it, the other backs off immediately.
Bree: Okay. So what's our control word?
Rex: Well, lately I've been using "Philadelphia". What's wrong?
Bree: Well, it's just that my Aunt Fern lives in Philadelphia, and I don't want to be thinking about her while I'm spanking you with a leather strap.
Rex: Okay. Fine. You pick a control word.
Bree: Um, how about "Boise"?
Rex: "Boise"?
Bree: What's the matter with "Boise"?
Rex: We're going to be doing psychological role playing here, Bree, and a funny word like "Boise" would ruin the mood. We need something that sounds serious.
Bree: Hmm.
[sombre tone]
Bree: How about "Palestine"?
Rex: "Boise" will be just fine.

don't you forget about me

After re-watching the Breakfast Club for the 100th time, I think this is the greatest dance sequence...ever!



AND I want Molly Ringwald's boots.