How To Impress Your Parents

Dear Turkey,

Here is another one of my famous money-saving tips: if you are in the mood for Asian food, ask your parents to take you out to get some; that way you can order lots of different dishes at no cost to you. If that doesn't work, here is a Plan B to impress them. They'll be so amazed that they'll be sure to take you out to dinner next time.

First, the miso. Since they are paying, be sure to get delicious barley miso. Put it in a pot with water, spinach, straw mushrooms (from a can), tofu, and green onions. Heat until almost boiling (don't kill it!). Remember, for miso, more is more. 

Sesame noodles: cook one bundle of soba. Combine the following in the blender: 3 T tamari, 2 T mirin, 2 T rice vinegar, 2 T peanut butter, 1 T sesame oil, 1T honey, 1 T minced garlic, 1 t chili oil. Toss with the noodles. 

Dumplings always impress people. For the dumpling filling: 1/2 block extra firm tofu, 2 T ginger, and 1/4 c celery, all minced. Then microwave some spinach to yield about 1 c wilted; cut it up with scissors. 

To that mixture, add: 1 T mirin, 1 T tamari, 1 T cornstarch, 1 T lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. 

I wrapped them in pot-sticker wrappers (from the store). 

Steam (for wusses), or fry until deliciously black. You will need to use the lid of the pot as a shield. 

For the sauce: 1/4 c tamari, 2 T rice vinegar, 2 T lemon juice, 1 t minced garlic, 1 T sugar, and 6 ginger slices.

Parents are impressed. 

For dessert, you are tired, so they will buy the gelato. 

I moss you,

Tofu