TATSU BOWLS WITH SPICY TAHINI

My Cellar

Serves 4

TATSU BOWLS:

1½ cups (375 ml) white quinoa

salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

2 cups (500 ml) broccolini spears, trimmed

1 cup (250 ml) baby carrots, thinly sliced

1 cup (250 ml) bean sprouts

1 cup (250 ml) shelled edamame beans

1 cup (250 ml) finely shredded red cabbage

⅓ cup (75 ml) coarsely chopped cilantro, for garnish

8 deep-fried tofu puffs

2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil

½ cup (125 ml) lightly salted, toasted cashews

lime wedges, for garnish

SPICY TAHINI SAUCE:

¼ cup (60 ml) sesame tahini

¼ cup (60 ml) tamari sauce

¼ cup (60 ml) water or chicken stock

1 lime, juice only

1 tbsp (15 ml) Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

1 tbsp (15 ml) sesame oil

2 tsp (10 ml) finely minced peeled gingerroot

2 tsp (10 ml) sambal oelek

1 garlic clove, smashed and minced

To make TATSU BOWLS: Rinse quinoa thoroughly several times before cooking. In a saucepan, bring 2 cups (500 ml) water, lightly seasoned with salt and pepper, to a boil. Stir in rinsed quinoa and return to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook over medium-low for about 15 minutes or until grains begin to unfurl and water is absorbed. Spread cooked quinoa onto baking sheet to slightly dry while preparing remaining ingredients. Stir often with a fork to separate grains.
Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Lightly rub broccolini spears and carrots with oil. Place carrots on one half of a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake in oven for 10 minutes. Add broccolini to other half of baking sheet and bake for an additional 5 minutes, turning occasionally with tongs.
Meanwhile, blanch bean sprouts, drain and plunge into ice water to crisp. Place in a bowl. Repeat with edamame beans.
Prepare remaining vegetables, shredding cabbage, and chopping cilantro and onions, and set aside. In a frying pan, gently brown tofu puffs with a little olive oil until hot and golden.
To serve, place scoops of quinoa in bottom of serving bowls, arrange vegetables and tofu puffs on top. Sprinkle with cashews, lime and cilantro. Drizzle bowls with Spicy Tahini.
To make SPICY TAHINI SAUCE: In a small, deep narrow bowl, whisk together all ingredients until emulsified. Transfer to a squeeze tube with a large spout. Drizzle over Tatsu Bowls before serving. Makes about 1 cup (250 ml)