I actually have a lot of stores around that sell tofu, what's hard for me to get is mirin and vegan dashi (although technically I could make my own dashi stock, now that I think about it)
You can substitute mirin with sake (nigori preferably) and some sugar, and yes it is pretty easy to make your own vegetarian dashi with kombu and shitake mushrooms (see
here). Which I highly recommend, because then you can use the leftover kelp and mushroom to make my favorite Japanese dish tsukudani, which is food simmer in sweet soy sauce served over steamed short-grain rice.
I'll contribute my sautéed broccoli rabe recipe. I've made this 100 times because its my mother's favorite.
Equipment:
- 6 liter pot
- Spatula
- Mesh spoon strainer
- Pairing knife
- Large bowl
Ingredients:
- Broccoli rabe 2 bunches (about 2 lbs total)
- Garlic 10 - 15 cloves (yes that much)
- Fresh lemon juice to taste
- Lemon zest of 1 lemon
- Olive oil 1/4 cup
- Dried oregano 2~3 tsp
- Dried rosemary 2~3 tsp
- Dried thyme 2~3 tsp
- Dried basil 1 tsp
- Whole red chili flakes 1 tsp or to taste
- Salt to taste
- MSG a pinch
- Ice for blanching
- Baking soda 1 tsp
Instructions:
1. In a large pot fill 2/3 with water and add baking soda and bring to a boil.
2. Peel garlic cloves and cut length wise into halves or thirds.
3. Wash broccoli, then split stems trim the dry portion of the stems saving any leaves.
4. Prepare ice water in your large bowl and boil broccoli for 2 minutes then immediately strain and blanch in ice water till cool. Remove broccoli from ice bath and squeeze out excess water.
5. Dispose of the pots water, rinse and dry your pot.
6. In pot add olive oil and garlic on medium heat.
5. Just before garlic starts to become golden brown (or begins to become fragrant add dried red chili.
6. When garlic has become golden brown push the garlic to one side of the pot and in the other side add your dried oregano, rosemary, thyme, and basil in the oil and "bloom" the spices for about 20~30 seconds.
7. In the pot add your broccoli and a splash of olive oil on top of the broccoli, increase to medium high heat and stir.
8. Add salt and MSG, taste and add more oregano, rosemary, thyme or salt if need
9. Cook till broccoli florets are tender (but not soft)
10. Turn off and move the pot from heat and stir in lemon zest and juice.
11. Serve and garnish with lemon juice to taste if needed.
I usually add parmesano reggiano to this recipe and some lamb or beef tallow if I have any for extra flavor if I have any, but you can simply omit it, its still very good without it. If you can't find broccoli rabe then broccolini is a good substitute.