Uphill idealist

INGREDIENTS: Fresh Broccoli (in a steam-able bag) Firm Tofu Tandoori Paste Brown Sesame Seeds Red Rice Noodles/Pad Thai Liquid Aminos Olive oil spray Olive Oil I love tofu, but have been hesitant to try it at home. This recipe was quick and turned out great. Not too bad for a first effort. Extra tips: keep the heat steady for the tofu to achieve a crispy exterior for the cubes.Also, be sure to rinse the rice noodles well to avoid them becoming sticky.Steam the broccoli in a microwave. Put water on to boil for the noodles. Cut tofu into cubes, spray pan with non-stick spray, drizzle oil oil in pan, drop a tablespoon of tandoori paste into oil and mix well. Drop tofu into hot oil and spices and cook each side till golden/red (from spices). Add sesame seeds towards end of browning tofu. Add a dash of Soy or Liquid Amino to browned tofu and sesame seeds. When water boils drop in noodles and remove from heat. Let soak for 5-10 minutes, drain and rinse well. Plat...

Image found at Homemade Soup blog. Chicken noodle soup is good for: stuffy noses, hearts that are broken, weary bodies and burdened minds. What is the fix dancing inside that bowl? Water, carrots, noodles and broth - everyday items cooked in love and brought - comfort for life, and breath and soul. Wrap me up and hold me tight. Swaddle me like an infant tonight. Hold me in the place of safety and rest - so the noodle soup, now in my stomach, can work it's best.

Image from Citarell's Restaurant website. In-between two slices of bread, is the stuff of life some have said. Lunchbags are filled with salty and sweet, but not without grain filled, with lettuce, cheese and meat. Wrapped in wax paper, saran or in foil - this portable meal has a way of delivering joy. Perhaps peanut butter and jelly is the best, it pays no attention to age like some of the rest. Baloney, salami, capicola and spam - is it still lunch meat if it come from a can? Pickles of dill and mayo that's real, help to bring out taste that clinches the deal. Then there is banana, honey and Fluff, when you've had way to much of the other stuff. My tastes and flavors for sandwiches are many, you see. The love of a sandwich is something thats not on the in-between. The troubles of life can be many that's true, but sitting down with a friend over a sandwich, has a way putting things together and pulling you through. T.L. Eastman Oct 2011

THIS Image from the blog Best of BTF . PLUS THIS... Image from the blog LUPEC Denver . EQUALS THIS... Here's a jazzed up blended version of the typical over-easy egg breakfast with traditional Bruschetta ingredients. It's a simple dish I've been making for years, but have not seen elsewhere although it reminds me of something I had years ago at a diner in Sufferen, NJ. I usually use muenster cheese, lots of tomatoes, and place the dish on whole grain/12 grain toast. If you want the egg yolks to be runny, don't overcook them and melt the cheese by popping the complete dish in the microwave and cook till the cheese is melty as desired. You could pop them under a broiler in the oven as well.(30 seconds/1 minute.) Bruschetta Eggs Cook two eggs in non-stick pan till almost over-easy, place Bruschetta tomatoes or diced stewed tomatoes over eggs, place a slice of favorite cheese over top. When cheese is melted, lay toast on plate and put egg/tomato/cheese on top. Enjoy and ha...

Image from Epicurious . I wake up to see the time on the alarm clock and sigh happily as today I don't have to rush to get my feet on the floor, so I roll over for another hour or two of dozing. Easy does it bundling up. Two layers of track pants, two layers of gloves, a scarf and a wind breaking parka should keep the cold away on this bitter cold but sunny morning. Running down the street, crunching snow under my feet, leaving cloud puffs of my warm exhale behind me. Wandering through the too-quiet grocery store still filled with staff stocking shelves and filling produce bins. Chatting with folks I know as I wait in line while thinking what will be on the menu for today. Cleaning out the fridge to fill it with all the goodies I can't wait to eat. Coffee brews. Bacon sizzles. The home fries are getting crispy and brown. Eggs create a tasty variety of dishes as I take the requests of my household. We all sit together and listen to NPR playing "This American Life" as...