For the sauce: 1⁄4 cup tehina 2 Tbsp. tamari or other soy sauce 1 Tbsp. sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) or 2 tsp. sugar 2 tsp. rice vinegar juice and grated zest of 1⁄2 lemon a 2.5-cm. (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated 1 tsp. or more thick Asian hot sauce, or 1⁄2 tsp.cayenne pepper Freshly ground black pepperFor the noodles: 250 gr. (9 ounces) plain buckwheat soba (Japanese noodles) or other noodles 1 heavy eggplant (about 700 gr. or 11⁄2 pounds) sliced into 1.25-cm. (1⁄2-inch) rounds 1⁄4 cup vegetable oil 225 grams (8 ounces) extra-firm tofu 1⁄2 cup toasted sesame seeds 2 slim cucumbers, cut into 1.25-cm. (1⁄2-inch) cubes 1⁄2 head of iceberg lettuce (for serving), leaves pulled apart 2 green onions, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced Flaky sea salt Freshly ground black pepperFor the sauce: Combine the tehina, tamari, sweet soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, hot sauce and pepper in a small bowl and whisk until smooth (or you can use a mini food processor). Let the sauce rest so the flavors can develop while you make the noodles and vegetables.For the noodles: Prepare the noodles according to the package directions, typically by boiling about 4 minutes. Don’t let them overcook. Rinse in cool water and drain. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat the broiler. Brush the eggplant with 2 Tbsp of the vegetable oil and grill or broil until deep brown on both sides and thoroughly tender. Let cool, then slice the rounds into approximately 5 x 2.5-cm. (1 x 2-inch) pieces.Heat remaining 2 Tbsp oil in a skillet over high heat. Slice the tofu into approximately 5 x 2.5 x 2-cm. (2 x 1 x 3⁄4-inch) rectangles, dry thoroughly with a paper towel, and saute in a single layer until nicely browned on both sides, about 5 minutes total.Taste and adjust the sauce. Does it need more salt? More citrus? More heat? Is it too thick? You want a fairly liquid texture, not pasty, and it should be highly flavored. If it’s too thick but has plenty of flavor, use a little cool water to thin it out.In a large bowl, toss together the noodles, sauce (reserving 2 Tbsp), sesame seeds (reserving 1 Tbsp), cucumber, eggplant and tofu.To serve, line a bowl or platter with the lettuce and mound the noodles on top. It can be hard to get the vegetables to mix in, so you may need to distribute them a bit with your tongs. Top with (in order): the reserved sauce, green onions, remaining sesame seeds, a couple pinches of salt, and a grind of black pepper.ORANGE JULIAThis creamy smoothie from Great Gluten-Free Vegan Eats is Allyson Kramer’s healthier version of a classic shopping-mall treat, Orange Julius. You can garnish the rim of each glass with a half slice of orange.Makes 4 servings11⁄4 cups frozen orange juice (see Note A below) 1 cup almond milk (see Note B below), rice milk, or nondairy milk of your choice 1 banana, peeled, sliced and frozen 1⁄2 tsp. vanilla extractextra orange juice or nondairy milk to thin, if desiredBlend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Serve immediately, with straws.Note A: Kramer freezes orange juice in ice-cube trays.Note B: Kramer’s recipe for homemade almond milk: Soak 2 cups raw whole almonds overnight in water to cover, drain them and blend them with 41⁄2 cups water, and if you like, 1⁄3 cup agave nectar and 2 tsp pure vanilla extract, until very smooth. Strain mixture through cheesecloth and stir in 2 cups water. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The strained almond pulp can be added to smoothies, cookies or rice pudding.
The nine meatless days
A perfect occasion to jump-start a diet or a healthier eating style.
For the sauce: 1⁄4 cup tehina 2 Tbsp. tamari or other soy sauce 1 Tbsp. sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) or 2 tsp. sugar 2 tsp. rice vinegar juice and grated zest of 1⁄2 lemon a 2.5-cm. (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated 1 tsp. or more thick Asian hot sauce, or 1⁄2 tsp.cayenne pepper Freshly ground black pepperFor the noodles: 250 gr. (9 ounces) plain buckwheat soba (Japanese noodles) or other noodles 1 heavy eggplant (about 700 gr. or 11⁄2 pounds) sliced into 1.25-cm. (1⁄2-inch) rounds 1⁄4 cup vegetable oil 225 grams (8 ounces) extra-firm tofu 1⁄2 cup toasted sesame seeds 2 slim cucumbers, cut into 1.25-cm. (1⁄2-inch) cubes 1⁄2 head of iceberg lettuce (for serving), leaves pulled apart 2 green onions, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced Flaky sea salt Freshly ground black pepperFor the sauce: Combine the tehina, tamari, sweet soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, hot sauce and pepper in a small bowl and whisk until smooth (or you can use a mini food processor). Let the sauce rest so the flavors can develop while you make the noodles and vegetables.For the noodles: Prepare the noodles according to the package directions, typically by boiling about 4 minutes. Don’t let them overcook. Rinse in cool water and drain. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat the broiler. Brush the eggplant with 2 Tbsp of the vegetable oil and grill or broil until deep brown on both sides and thoroughly tender. Let cool, then slice the rounds into approximately 5 x 2.5-cm. (1 x 2-inch) pieces.Heat remaining 2 Tbsp oil in a skillet over high heat. Slice the tofu into approximately 5 x 2.5 x 2-cm. (2 x 1 x 3⁄4-inch) rectangles, dry thoroughly with a paper towel, and saute in a single layer until nicely browned on both sides, about 5 minutes total.Taste and adjust the sauce. Does it need more salt? More citrus? More heat? Is it too thick? You want a fairly liquid texture, not pasty, and it should be highly flavored. If it’s too thick but has plenty of flavor, use a little cool water to thin it out.In a large bowl, toss together the noodles, sauce (reserving 2 Tbsp), sesame seeds (reserving 1 Tbsp), cucumber, eggplant and tofu.To serve, line a bowl or platter with the lettuce and mound the noodles on top. It can be hard to get the vegetables to mix in, so you may need to distribute them a bit with your tongs. Top with (in order): the reserved sauce, green onions, remaining sesame seeds, a couple pinches of salt, and a grind of black pepper.ORANGE JULIAThis creamy smoothie from Great Gluten-Free Vegan Eats is Allyson Kramer’s healthier version of a classic shopping-mall treat, Orange Julius. You can garnish the rim of each glass with a half slice of orange.Makes 4 servings11⁄4 cups frozen orange juice (see Note A below) 1 cup almond milk (see Note B below), rice milk, or nondairy milk of your choice 1 banana, peeled, sliced and frozen 1⁄2 tsp. vanilla extractextra orange juice or nondairy milk to thin, if desiredBlend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Serve immediately, with straws.Note A: Kramer freezes orange juice in ice-cube trays.Note B: Kramer’s recipe for homemade almond milk: Soak 2 cups raw whole almonds overnight in water to cover, drain them and blend them with 41⁄2 cups water, and if you like, 1⁄3 cup agave nectar and 2 tsp pure vanilla extract, until very smooth. Strain mixture through cheesecloth and stir in 2 cups water. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The strained almond pulp can be added to smoothies, cookies or rice pudding.