I never used to like tofu. I didn’t get it! Now I love it as I know how to cook it properly! 🙂 That said, I hadn’t had tofu for at least a month and this… well, this was something different to anything I’ve cooked before!
I was intending to make soup as the weather in the UK is now getting chilly and we do love a big bowl of hearty soup! The allotment is now producing the last of the summer veg and as I laid out celery, chard, courgette, runner beans and chick peas (that’s so exciting in itself), I had nothing in my head apart from soup!
Did you ever wonder where chick peas come from?
Fresh allotment grown chickpeas
I’m not sure about you, but I always seem to make tomato based soups rather than creamy soups and this wasn’t going to be any different. However, as it was all cooking I had a little taste and it tasted mighty fine just as it was! 😀 Then I decided it needed some extra protein and realised that tofu would be perfect. As I still wanted soup, I made a broth which I then added to the bowl separately – it really adds depth of flavour to this dish and makes it absolutely superb! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Melt the oil in a large deep pan then add the celery and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the carrots, cook for 2 more minutes then add the onion, garlic and chili and continue to cook until the onion is translucent.
Add the courgette, chard, beans and chickpeas stirring each one in before adding the next. Cover and allow to cook through.
Put the veg to one side of the pan, add a bit more oil (in the space) then add the tofu in batches and cook until golden on all sides.
Gently mix the vegetables and tofu together, cover and turn off the heat.
For the broth: Put the rosemary, basil, dill, lemongrass and Chinese chives in a saucepan and pour the water on. Bring to the boil.
Reduce the heat and stir in the miso, tamari and coconut aminos. Taste test and adjust if necessary.
Enjoy!
Serve & Store
Eat the veg and the tofu as they are, or ladle the broth over the top.
Store the broth separate from the vegetables and tofu. Keep both refrigerated for up to 3 days.
If not using the broth, add your favourite seasoning to the vegetables whilst cooking and/or marinate the tofu before cooking.
