Curry Fried Brown Rice with Tofu, Kale Cabbage Slaw, Maple & Raisins

Isolation cooking continues through this Covid - 19 pandemic. I love cooking obviously, but the truth is, it is cooking that will get me through this situation we are all in. I hope that everyone is able to tap into something they love if stuck at home as I am. I'm an introvert and being alone is pretty easy for me, but there is no question that this situation is difficult. I'll tell you what though, I am taking this time being in my home, able to cook and work on my blog and recipes, truly as a gift. Yes the circumstances are shit, but to have a stretch of time where I can focus on this. I'm grateful. Watching the community come together in an online capacity has been another silver lining. My coworker and fitness trainer Darcey is posting free live HIIT workouts every morning. I'm in better shape today than I was 2 weeks ago, probably the best shape of my life. So my mind is wrestling with the fact that it takes a pandemic for me to feel the most creative, and the most balanced that I've probably felt in a few years. I hope that when we come out of this there is shift in our collective consciousness. Even for the most thoughtful and balanced folks among us, this is undoubtedly a wake up call....on SO MANY levels. We are all connected...and to ignore that fact at this point would be a travesty in my mind. I might not know all the ins and outs of how this crazy world works, but I know that by living with love and compassion for all people and creatures...and the planet.... to the best of our ability is a step in the right direction. It's not always easy....but that is what I keep coming back to. Man, I live alone with my dog and haven't had any real human contact in like 10 days. These blog posts might start taking on a life of their own ha. ONTO the fried rice recipe. It's quick, easy, & delicious. I love you all. 

OK so, I love how simple fried rice is and it is easily veganized. Once your rice is cooked and cooled this meal comes together in no time. I chose to use brown rice for this dish. It is healthier than white rice and it has a nutty flavour that I am a big fan of. I included tofu not only for the added protein, but because it simulates the egg that would typically be stirred into a non vegan fried rice dish. The texture is convincing and it's YUM.  While I can totally understand tofu isn't everyone's thing, I do think in this recipe it's accessible for even non tofu fans. Tofu takes on the flavour of whatever you put with it and because it's broken into such small pieces I don't think it's so recognizable compared to just searing off a chunk of it and taking a big ol bite. So if you fall into the "I hate tofu" category -  give this a whirl, you might just surprise yourself. 

Ingredients:

•  1 1/2 cups brown rice, cooked and cooled

•  1 block firm tofu, pressed and cut into 1/4 inch slices
•  1 onion, small dice
  
•  2 celery stalks, small dice
  
•  1 whole head garlic, chopped
  
•  1 inch piece ginger, minced
  
•  175 g shredded kale slaw mix (about 1 3/4 cups)
  
•  2 tbsp soy sauce
•  1 tbsp curry powder
  
•  3/4 cup raisins
  
•  1-2 tbsp maple syrup
  
•  green onions to garnish
  
•  chopped cilantro to garnish (or chopped and stirred in - optional)
  

Method:

1.  Heat a few drizzles of veg oil in a wok. Sautee onion, celery, garlic & ginger until softened.        Season with salt and pepper.
2. Transfer the onion mixture into a bowl so you can sear the tofu. Heat a bit more veg oil in the   wok, and place tofu pieces in an even layer. Just brown on each side, you'll have to rearrange   a bit as the pieces in the middle will brown first. 
   
3. Once browned, add onion mixture back into the wok, add in the slaw mix & curry powder. Break up the tofu into small pieces with your spatula. Continue cooking everything until slaw is mostly cooked through (I like it to have a bit of texture) You will want to hit the pan with a bit of water to help the process along. Just a bit at a time as needed. You want it to be all evaporated for the next step. 
   
4. Add in a bit more oil and add in your cooked rice. Stir around to fry the rice for a few minutes. 
   
5. Add in soy sauce, maple syrup & raisins to heat through. Taste and adjust seasonings. 
   
6. You could add in some fresh chopped cilantro or grated carrot towards the end too if you wish!
   
7.  Garnish with chopped green onion and a wedge of lime.