The evening might start with a game of chess, guitar hero or a puppet show - my husband is a member of Phantom Limb in NYC so he makes the marionette show an elaborate one. Billy Holiday always makes a great backdrop to set the mood – as does some organic wine. I love to cook and I’m a vegan, so one of my favorite things to make is a Tofu Stuffed Mochi. Not the ice cream treats! Mochi is essentially a Japanese rice cake that puffs up when you bake it. You can find it at Whole Foods and most health food stores.

Ingredients:

1 package of Mochi
1 package of extra firm, organic tofu
2 tbs. of olive oil
Spike's seasoning
A pinch of dill
Pepper to taste
2 tbs. Soy Sauce or Braggs Liquid Amino Acid
Onions, shitake mushrooms, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, asapargus and roasted corn- as much or as little as you would like
1 handful of Grape or cherry tomatoes
Annie's Green Goddess Dressing

Take the full package of extra firm, organic tofu and cut into half inch little cubes. Put two tbs. of olive oil in a pan, heat it up and add the cubed tofu. Sprinkle on whatever spices you want. I use Spike's seasoning (an all purpose healthy seasoning salt) and a little bit of dill and some pepper -maybe even cayenne if I'm getting crazy. Add a little soy sauce or Braggs Liquid amino acid. Both Spike's seasoning and Braggs will boost the nutritional value of the meal and they also provide a great unique flavor when used together. I've been known to add Spike's to everything I make. Toss in some chopped onions and shitake mushrooms and stir-fry it all up on medium to high heat. Steam some veggies i.e.: carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and definitely some of the roasted corn from Trader Joe's. Near the end of the steaming/blanching (you don't want the veggies mushy) put in some grape or cherry tomatoes.

Simultaneously you have to cook the Mochi. Cut it into half-inch squares and place on a cookie sheet that goes in the 450 degree oven until they puff up and get a little golden on the top. Pull apart a piece of Mochi and it will be sort of hollow and warm and a little gooey (in a good way) inside and ready to be stuffed with your veggies and tofu. Dip it in Annie’s Goddess Dressing (Trader Joe’s) and viola! Tofu stuffed Mochi!

We love Charlie Chaplin films and any old school SNL with Chevy Chase accompanied by lychee nuts, frozen bananas and Kukicha tea!