huffing + puffing
April 6, 2011 It’s been one of those days.
It started with crazy dreams, then waking up in a sweat. It continued with grumpiness, stuffiness, a partially wasted day and a headache. [Boy, does that all sound super trivial.]
I tried to pull out of it with a sweat-fest at the gym. Thanks to Gina for kicking my butt today! I used a workout she posted recently and it rocked. I was feeling better for awhile after the workout, but something was just off today.
Dinner time rolled around and I started off annoyed that the sun was fading away. I was annoyed that our kitchen table is about 6” lower than countertop height. I was annoyed at how many trips I had to make to the bathroom to wash veggies or clean a knife.
I was annoyed when I had to walk through the maze of cabinets floating around in the kitchen and out the door to the grill. I was annoyed when the tofu stuck to the grill. I was annoyed when the potatoes stuck to the foil.
I’m sure Chris was annoyed that I was huffing + puffing around the house, muttering under my breath. I’m sure Chris was annoyed when I told him this dinner might be a flop.
I was annoyed when I ran out of counter table space. There was no room for my light box and no more sun.
I plated my food, sat down on the couch-bed, and took a bite, practically holding my breath, annoyed at myself.
Dinner success.
Happy mouth.
Happy husband.
Grumpiness still here.
Tomorrow is a new day.
Curry Grilled Tofu [serves 2] adapted from Mango Power Girl
- 1 block, extra firm tofu
- 1T millet flour [ground from whole millet in a blender]
- 1T minced ginger
- 1T lemon juice
- 1T olive oil
- 1t garam masala
- 3/4t cumin
- 1/4t coriander
- 1/2t salt
- 1t chili powder
- 1/8t cayenne pepper
- 1/2t turmeric
- 1.5t paprika
- 1T curry powder
- 1T minced garlic
- 1C plain yogurt
- Drain tofu and slice into 6 even slices.
- Using 2 kitchen towels, double one up and spread slices in 1 layer on the towel. Double up the 2nd towel and place on top. Place a cutting board on top and a few heavy books on top for 10-15min. This helps squeeze the liquid out. You can also use a tofu press.
- In a large plastic container combine all ingredients and whisk with a fork.
- Place tofu in marinade and coat the top. Let sit in the fridge for 1-2 hrs [I only did it for 20min :)] turning once in the middle.
- Heat your grill to 350* or med – med/high.
- Grease the grates very well with oil.
- Place tofu on the greased area and do not move for about 7-10min.
- Carefully flip with a metal spatula. It will stick a bit to the grill but really try to scrape under the tofu to flip and place on a new well greased spot on the grill.
- Cook on the 2nd side for another 7-10min.
I thought I was doomed when I saw how charred it was the first time I flipped. But fear not, it was delicious! Grilling tofu isn’t the easiest and mine definitely stuck a bit. Just try to work the spatula under the tofu the best you can! Or, if you want to use the oven, check out Mama Pea’s tofu cooking method that she just posted. It looks perfect!
Time to sleep away this funk.
Ashley
Reader Comments (53)
Gah, hate funky, frustrating days. :/ Hope tomorrow the veggies wash themselves, the kitchen table grows 6" overnight, and that the sun cooperates for all your lovely photos once it's up again. Fingers crossed for a better day! (hug)
i was super grumpy today too! my poor boyfriend had to suffer for it too. ah...tomorrow's a better and new day for us all!
uhh..aah! Totally annoying time on ur front. :-| Guess what, I'm making grilled tofu for dinner tonight. Inspired from you, of course! :)
Gah I'm sorry you had a frustrating day - but that tofu really does look so good!
I hope today goes a bit better :)
i feel you! I am a foodie living in a college apartment with two of the messiest guys on the planet. huffing and puffing is a common activity in my kitchen, whereas cleaning doesn't seem to be for some of my cohabitants.
I wish I had you cooking for me on a funky day! :) this looks yum and tomorrow will bring even better.
I just love when I think a recipe is going to be a flop and turns out to be fantastic!! SO sorry you were feeling off today. Here's for a wonderful today!!! :)
I hate it when I can't get out of a funk!! Glad dinner was good though - hopeyou ahve a better day tomorrow.
yum...i love anything with curry!
It looks beautiful and sounds delicious! I always like to workout through a cold...I don't know if it helps, but in my mind, it gets the endorphins going. I hope you feel better today!
Despite being annoyed, you captured some beautiful photos!
I hate those grumpy/annoyed days. The tofu looks tasty, though!
yumm that curry looks delicious!
so glad that everything is settling down for you after the move! :)
I hear ya, we all have days like that! Glad dinner was a success :) The recipe looks fab, I'm going to try it!
xo
I get grumpy once in a while -- seems like I can't do anything right! Hopefully you were able to sleep it off!
that dinner looks so amazing!!!!
Funks are no fun but I'm sure a few more delicious meals and a restful night of sleep will make it disappear in no time :)
Girl...with everything you have going on right now you are ALLOWED to be in a funk!
The fact that you can pull off that dinner under stressed circumstances is wildly impressive! All the frustration will be worth it in the end.
Oh how the little annoyances add up. I don't blame you, when yours surroundings are in disarray it's only natural that you feel that way too. It will get better :)
Thanks Lauren!! Feeling better already today...I think it was due to the time of the month. ;)
hehehe :) thanks
Thanks Lauren!
hahaha...I can imagine! My husband used to live with 4 guys and 1 girl during college.
Thanks Freya! It's better already thanks to breakfast!
I've never tried grilled tofu and this looks amazing! The perfect meal to end an annoying day! Hope you have a great Wednesday:)
Glad your day ended on a good note. I can't wait to start grilling soon and try tofu on the charcoal grill. What a dinner success!
I have these kinds of days pleeeenty often. We're human. :) I find that listening to happy music cheers me up!
I'm so sorry friend about your off and not so fun day. I hope today brings happiness and success in all ways. Thinking about you!
That tofu curry looks amazing, btw. Will have to try in the coming summer months (or maybe just use my GF) :)
If I were in your situation right now, I would be grumpy like that every day! Seems like, for the most part you are keeping a positive attitude. It will be so worth it soon!
what did you season the potatoes with? they look great! this too shall pass and as things do!...did you grill them on the grill with foil?
It is so hard to get out of a funk when I get into one, but sleeping it off certainly helps. Sleep is a mental reset!
I hate funky days like that! But I know what you mean, everything is an annoyance and I just can't snap out of it. But this dinner definitely didn't look like a flop, so things should be looking up! =)
This remodeling thing is not for cowards! It's a ton of work and then when you just want to eat that can be a ton of work too. Nothing like using 4 rooms to cook one dish, right? The water is here, the counter is there the fridge is somewhere else.... Sometimes it is annoying, that's ok it will get better. We're in week 11 and so ready to be done next week (fingers crossed!) Hope today goes well and you are feeling better!
That tofu looks and sounds soooo good!
Sorry about your funk! :/ Cuddle with the pups - that always helps me!
Thank goodness when all else is screwed up in the world you can still have food perfection :) And I think your photo's turned out great despite the disappearing sunlight!!! Hope today is a better day...
~Jen
Oh man, I hate those days when you're in a terrible mood and you KNOW it and would love for it to not be that way but still can't find your way out of it. You dinner looks delicious though- I'm not a big tater person, but those look crispy and delightful :)
Cheer up! :)
Those potatoes look as amazing as I'm sure they tasted!
I love the idea of grilled tofu. Sometimes it can be too moist and soft, but this makes it sound so much better!
i hate days like that, where nothing seems to go your way. i'm glad your dinner turned out good anyways! hope today is much better for you :)
I dislike those funky days... but I guess through it all you just have to remind yourself that it's an off day and tomorrow will be better. I'm happy that your dinner worked out at least. I find that if I have good food around me I can usually take a crappy day. At least I'm well fed!
I hope you're feeling much better today Ash! We all have days like that and just shows that we're human :)
Hi Ashley,
I've been reading your blog for a few weeks and just wanted to let you know how great I think it is. And your new house looks great too :)
I hope some good feedback makes your day a little less :(
katy
I'm sorry you had a shitty day :( I hate those days when nothing goes right. Hope today is much better for you!
I hate when that happens! Bad dreams always leave me in a sweat too, and usually messes up my whole day too. I am one of those positivity people, but lezzbehonest that is just "one of those things"! Haha goooorgeously yummy looking tofu must have made up for it!:)
Oh gosh dont we all have those grumpy days? Thanks for making me feel normal because I totally have those days too and I'm pretty sure I make myself feel even worse in the end. Eric usually ignores me til I cool down. ;) Food makes everything better!
Aww I'm sorry that today was not your day :( Hope tomorrow is better!!
Thanks for making ME feel normal!!! I hate it...b/c I can tell it's happening but can't stop it!
Thanks so much for saying hi Katy and for your sweet comment. Much appreciated!!!
Thanks Jen!