Garlic General Tso Tofu w/Broccoli

(PIC COMING SOON-AS I COOK IT AGAIN)
Tofu!!! YUMMY! Some do not like tofu but I love it. As I type up this post I think of my long time friend and how she asks me all the dag on time...hey I want to make tofu help me! Well I hope she and my godson enjoy this one...as well as you!  This recipe is not as intimidating as it looks FYI!

Ingredients (serves 4-6):
1 (12 ounce) box firm tofu, (cut into cubes, drained and dry)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive or coconut oil
3 green onions, chopped
1 tablespoon minced ginger
2 tablespoons of hot sauce, to taste
1/3 cup of tamari
1 tablespoon arrowroot (it’s a corn starch)
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 cup vegetable stock or water (depending on thickness)
3 tablespoons agave nectar or maple syrup
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon white vinegar
red pepper, to taste
2 broccoli heads
black chia seeds (for garnishing and for some Omega3 boom!)
couscous (already cooked for serving and using a boxed brand is perfect)

Directions:
1. In a small bowl, combine the arrow root, tamari and ginger. Whisk until smooth. Add the tofu and toss to coat. Let the tofu marinate for at least half an hour.

2. While the tofu is marinating, prepare the couscous.

3. Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the tofu to the skillet and cook until golden brown on all sides, this should take about 12 minutes or so. Remove the tofu from the pan and set aside.

4. Wipe out the skillet because you’re going to use it again (yes keep your kitchen clean as you can).

5. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and a pinch of salt and pepper to the steamer. Cover and steam until the broccoli is tender and bright green, about 4-5 minutes. If you have no steamer feel free to cook these however you would before.

6. In a bowl, combine the sesame oil, tamari, ginger, soy sauce, maple syrup or agave and hot sauce, if using. Whisk until smooth. Set aside. If this mixture does not look like enough make some more, hehe.

7. Heat the oil in the pan over medium heat. Add the scallions and garlic and cook, about 2-3 minutes should be smelling yummy by now.

8. Add the sauce to the skillet and let it cook until it thickens a bit. If it gets too thick, add some vegetable stock or some water. Add the tofu to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce and reheat the tofu.

9. Garnish the tofu with the black chia seeds and serve with the broccoli and couscous.

LOVING FOOD AS PEACE...
-That VVV.