Moosewood Mushroom Sesame Tofu Stew

This is a satisfying, healthy, cold weather stew recipe from "Moosewood Restaurant Low-Fat Favorites". It’s great over rice or with some crusty bread. It's a flexible recipe; feel free o substitute with whatever veggies you have in the fridge. Kale works well. TO PRESS TOFU: Sandwich firm or soft tofu between two plates or baking sheets. Rest a weight (like a heavy book) on top and press for 30 minutes, then drain water.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 4  cups  chopped onions
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 3  cups  sliced celery
• 4  cups  sliced mushrooms (12-ounce package)
• 2  bay leaves
• 1  tablespoon  grated fresh ginger
• 2  cups  undrained canned whole tomatoes, chopped (18-ounce can)
• 2  tablespoons tahini or 2  tablespoons peanut butter
• 1 (12 ounce) package tofu, pressed and cut into bite-sized pieces (see recipe description)
• 1  dash salt or 1  dash soy sauce or 1  dash  hot sauce, to taste

Directions

1. In a covered soup pot on high heat, cook the onions in the water, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Add the celery and continue to cook, covered, stirring frequently for 5 minutes. Add more water if the vegetables begin to stick. Add the mushrooms, lower the heat, and cook until the mushrooms begin to release their juices, about 5 minutes. Stir in the bay leaves, ginger, and tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
2. Stir in the tahini or peanut butter, add the tofu, and simmer on a heat diffuser or on very low heat for a few minutes more. Add salt, soy sauce, or hot sauce to taste; discard the bay leaves and serve.