Recipe(tried): Baked Tofu

Here's my favorite Baked Tofu. It's good out of hand (even for adults!), and since it has an Oriental flavor, you can use it in stir-fries, and with sweet-and-sour sauce, or shredded in fried rice. I often nibble it cold right out of the fridge for a quick snack. For your toddler, you can cut it in different shapes like triangles or sticks. It makes good finger food because it is quite firm. Hope you like it!

1 lb. extra-firm tofu
2 Tbl. soy sauce (I use Kikkoman)
1 Tbl. mirin (sweet rice wine)
1/2 Tbl. Oriental sesame oil
1/2 Tbl. veg. oil (Canola)

Mix liquid ingredients in 9x13" glass dish. Cut tofu crosswise into 8 slices and quickly dry between paper towels. Put in a single layer in marinade, and turn over to coat both sides. Marinate 30 minutes. Cut each slice into 4 triangles or 4 or 6 rectangles. Bake in a pre-heated 450-degree oven for 25-30 minutes, shaking after 15 minutes to prevent sticking. I like them dark and crunchy on the edges.

Adapted from Jeanne Lemlin's "Simple Veg'n Pleasures"