Sweet Chili Lime Tofu

My friend and I have started cooking new recipes together. She introduced me to two great foods - collard greens and quinoa. Quinoa (pronounced 'keen-wah') are seeds from a grain-like crop. When dry, it looks like couscous however when it expands, it takes on a completely new look and texture. It is high in magnesium and iron. It is very high protein (a complete protein too!).

The quinoa was cooked with lime zest, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick and salt. The collards were simple steamed with just a couple of tablespoons of water, salt and a teaspoon of lime juice.

My friend made the tofu, so I can't take credit for the perfectly cut triangles or explain how it was made. I can say, however, that it was the best tasting tofu that I have tried to date. The sauce had soy sauce, lime juice and zest, red chili flakes, garlic and mint.

Ethiopian Dinner

I am broadening my international cuisine. Last night, a couple of friends and I cooked Ethiopian food, which may become my new favourite food. The white dip on the plate is a mock versian of Iab. Apparently Iab is a white curd cheese very much like Greek feta, but it is not available here. This mock version used cottage cheese, yoghurt, lemon, parsley and some herbs. It is similar to the idea of Indian Cucumber Raita, as a way down to cool spicy dishes. Ethiopian food is traditionally served with Injera, a very moist crepe-like bread that I did not attempt to make.

Pictured on the left is an Ethiopian Tomato Salad with onions, lemon juice and jalpeno pepper. Quite nice. Below is Ye'abesha Gomen which is Ethiopian Collard Greens. I really enjoyed this dish - collard greens, red onions and green peppers. Collard greens are rich in many nutrients and are becoming my new favourite vegetable!

The picture above (left) was the main dish for the evening - Ethiopian style Lentils with Yams. Yum! Sweet potato, red pepper, lentils, ginger, tomato paste, paprika, coriander, nutmeg, cinnamon, fenugreek, ginger and soy sauce! The other picture above (right) is a spicy dish with green beans, potatoes, jalapeno pepper, turmeric, cumin, stewed tomatoes and lime juice.