Tofu Mushroom Alfredo Pasta

So today we decided to kind of whip up whatever I had in my fridge. I had some tofu I hadn't used, so I looked up how to cook tofu, and I never knew you just really need olive oil and a pan to cook it. And here's the turnout:

The yellow parts aren't oil; it's melted mozzarella cheese!

DISH tofu mushroom alfredo pasta

INGREDIENTS

tofu
olive oil
mushrooms
mozzarella cheese
salt and pepper
oregano leaves
garlic powder
whole wheat penne
onion
light sour cream
lettuce

HOW TO

1) Cut up tofu in cubes and mushrooms into slices and place onto olive oiled pan. Let that cook under medium heat for about 15 minutes, turning every once in a while. Sprinkle garlic powder, salt, pepper, oregano, and mozzarella cheese; Mix.
2) In another pan, saute some chopped onions in olive oil and then add in some light sour cream.
3) Boil some pasta until tender, drain, and then put back into pot.
4) Put alfredo sauce into the pot with pasta and add some oregano and salt onto penne.
5) Place pasta on top of some lettuce leaves. Top pasta with tofu and mushroom mixture along with the sour creamed onions.

DANKNESS FACTOR 7/10

COMMENTS/TIPS

     It turned out pretty good. The tofu, cheese, and mushroom was very flavorful on top of the alfredo penne. The onion and sour cream mixture turned out just the way I wanted it; sweet with a nice sour creamy touch to it. I just love the oregano spice, so it really complimented this dish well. I'm thinking of cooking the tofu in bread crumbs next time to add a nice crunchy texture to it, but I love tofu in any form, even plain.
     I am not the biggest tofu fan; I just don't like the mushy consistency and the blandness of it but having it with alfredo pasta and caramelized onions was a great way to mask them, and who doesn't love alfredo...ahh it's the best. But you end up paying up for it in calories, but who cares. The onions were not completely caramelized so they still had a little crunch to them which made them a little easier to eat. I think that we put caramelized onions on everything now and for a good reason...they are delicious!    

Breaded Fish Fillet

First time we had fish this whole year! Once again, I walked into the house and dinner was almost done cooking :)

 

MAIN DISH panko-breaded tilapia fillets (Trader Joe's) 

SIDE DISH pasta with traditional marinara sauce topped with sauteed onions and a side of salad topped with onions and beef steak tomatoes

DANKNESS FACTOR 7.5/10

COMMENTS/TIPS

     Even though they're frozen, the fillets are cooked in the oven, so it turns out to be super crunchy and perfect. The fish is very flavorful and rich, but it's 360 calories a piece! (if you're counting calories like I am). Also, next time you're at Trader Joe's buy the beef steak tomatoes. They really are thick and beefy, and have a nice amount of sweetness to them.

     It was nice to eat some fish for once. There were parts that were really crispy and others that were more chewy. Next time, I would probably cook it a bit longer to infuse more crunch. Once again, another cheap great Trader Joe's frozen item.


So we watched 127 Hours the other day. Go watch it; it's just so intense and the editing is really clever.

 

A Yummy Sammich

MAIN DISH pressed sandwich filled with sauteed mushrooms and onion sprinkled with basil, a sliver of smoked Gouda cheese, some smoked turkey coldcuts, slices of tomatoes and avocados, and lettuce all on whole wheat bread

SIDE DISHES penne pasta cooked in Emeril's vodka sauce (tried a couple, so far favorite vodka sauce in a can) and a bed of romaine lettuce topped with avocado, grape tomatoes, and chick peas.

DANKNESS FACTOR 7/10

COMMENTS/TIPS

     I discovered this amazing sandwich by putting in all my favorite things into one sandwich, and of course it turned out great.

     I love these sandwiches. They fill you up and the Gouda is a perfect compliment. Without the Gouda, it's not the great but whatever.  

This bad boy sandwich gets whipped up at least once a week for dinner; it's a fallback dish now when we either 1) don't have much food in the fridge or 2) too lazy to cook a legit meal or 3) if we want a sandwich. Nevertheless, it's always great.