AUTUMN STIR-FRY
Autumn reminds us that every ending holds the beginning of something new.
Leaves fall, nature turns inward, and we too are invited to slow down, breathe, and let go.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, autumn belongs to the Metal element and is associated with the lungs and large intestine — receiving and releasing, breathing in and breathing out.
The flavor of autumn is pungent, so this is a beautiful season to bring warming ingredients into our kitchen: fresh ginger, black pepper, chili, radish, horseradish, and kimchi.
For this simple autumn stir-fry, I combine golden baked tofu with cauliflower, zucchini, onion, garlic, fresh ginger, turmeric, lemon, sesame, and fresh cilantro.
And, as always, the most important ingredient:
A pinch of love and mindful attention.
The kitchen, just like the meditation cushion, is a place to practice presence.
Chop.
Stir.
Smell.
Taste.
Breathe.
Be 100% with what you are doing.
Autumn teaches us to let go of what has ended and make space for what is ready to begin.
Autumn Stir-Fry
Ingredients — Serves 4
2 zucchini
200 g tofu
1 small cauliflower
1 onion
2 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 bunch fresh cilantro
Juice of 1 lemon
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
A pinch of love and mindful attention
Preparation
Cut the tofu into triangles and place in a bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the turmeric, and a pinch of salt, and gently toss to coat.
Transfer to a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated oven at 200°C / 390°F for about 20 minutes, until golden.
Meanwhile, chop the onion. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a wide pan or wok and sauté the onion together with the garlic and grated ginger until softened and lightly golden.
Separate the cauliflower into small florets, add to the pan, and cook for about 5 minutes.
Slice the zucchini into half-moons, add to the pan, and stir-fry for another 5 minutes. Allow the vegetables to soften while still keeping their freshness and a little bite.
Season with salt and black pepper, then gently add the golden tofu triangles.
Transfer to a serving bowl, squeeze the fresh lemon juice over the vegetables, and finish with sesame seeds and fresh cilantro.
Before serving, pause for a moment.
Look at the colors.
Notice the fragrance.
Breathe.
And add the most important ingredient:
A pinch of love and mindful attention.
A joy that makes you smile.
