Snacks and Salads Recipes - Tomatoes with Herb Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

• 6 small, firm tomatoes

• 1 courgette (zucchini)

• 3 large mushrooms

• 250 ml/8 fl oz (1 cup) vegetable stock (broth)

• 150 g/5 oz smoked tofu (bean curd), mashed

• 1 bunch chives, finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon medium strength mustard

• 2 tablespoons crème fraiche

• herb salt

• 1 bunch parsley

• 1 bunch chervil

•  50 g/2 oz watercress

• 3 sheets lovage

• 1/2 clove garlic, pressed

• 4 dashes soy sauce

• 4 tablespoons olive oil

Serves 4

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Method:

1. Peel and quarter the tomatoes and remove the seeds. Blot the tomato pieces dry with kitchen paper. Wash the courgettes (zucchini) and cut into slices 2 cm/3/4 in thick. Cut the slices across three times to make small triangles.

2. Clean and dice the mushrooms. Pour 1 tablespoon of vegetable stock (broth) into a pan and braise the mushrooms briefly.

3. Put the smoked tofu (bean curd), braised mushroom cubes, finely chopped chives, mustard and crème fraiche in a bowl and stir well. Season with herb salt. Cover and leave to marinate for 1-2 hours.

4. To make the sauce: wash and dry the herbs. Pull the leaves off the stems. Puree the leaves of the herbs, garlic, soy sauce, herb salt and vegetable stock (broth) in a mixer to obtain a smooth mixture. Finally, add the olive oil little by little.

5. Divide the herb sauce onto four plates. Shape the tofu (bean curd) mixture into 12 small balls and arrange three balls in a circle on the sauce.

6. Arrange the tomato pieces on the soy balls so as to create a flower. Put the courgette (zucchini) triangles between the "petals" formed by the tomato pieces.

Note: Tofu (bean curd) has been an important protein source in the daily diet of the people of China and Japan for over 2000 years, and it is used in many dishes. Made from soy bean milk, it is low in calories, easy to digest and very versatile. For instance, it can be roasted, baked or fried. Smoked tofu (bean curd) has pleasant lightly smoked aroma. It is available in health food shops and supermarkets with a good health food section.