Asparagus Stir-Fry

I found this on www.101cookbooks.com, which is a great website with lots of healthy delicious recipes. Plus, the author, Heidi Swanson, seems like one of the coolest chics around. 

The trick to this recipe is to make sure you have all your ingredients

prepped and ready to go before you start actually stir-frying.

Ingredients

• toasted sesame oil
  
• 8 ounces extra-firm tofu, cut into slices thick as a pencil
  
• 4 green onions, thinly sliced
  
• scant 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger (peeled)
  
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (the actual recipe called for 1/2 teaspoon, but we don't like spicy food. If you do, then go for it!)
  
• 1 bunch of asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  
• a couple big pinches of fine-grain sea salt
  
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  
• 1 big handful of toasted cashews, chopped up a bit
  
• a few handfuls of spinach, or chopped kale, or chopped chard
  
• zest and juice of one lime
  
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  
• 1 small handful fresh mint, slivered
  
• 1 small handful fresh basil, slivered
  

Heat a splash of sesame oil in a large pan (or a wok if you're fancy) over medium high heat. If you prefer dry-fry tofu that will work, too. When the oil is hot add the tofu and cook. 

We prefer crispy tofu so I pressed it first and let it get a little past golden, more towards brown. The bottom line is cook the tofu in sesame oil the way you like it. If you are a tofu novice there are links at the top of the page explaining some tofu basics. Remove the tofu from the pan and set aside.

Add another few tablespoons of oil to the pan and, as soon as it is hot, add the onions, ginger, red pepper flakes, asparagus, and salt. Stir fry for a minute or so, then add the garlic, cashews, and spinach and stir-fry for another minute, or until the spinach wilts. Return the tofu to the pan. Stir in the lime zest and juice and the hoisin sauce. Cook for another 10-20 seconds, stirring all the while.

Remove from heat and stir in the mint and basil. Taste and add a bit more salt if needed.