Lemon Basil Grilled Tofu Sliders

I'm grateful that my meat eating family humors my vegetarian meals. They eat 99% vegetarian at home, and usually without complaint. Though, truth be told, it can be tough sometimes, with picky eaters. Cole, my middle son, doesn't like condiments of any kind, while the rest of my family will try anything, it's not often that we get a unanimous vote of yumminess.

I recently tried to take a different look at the ol' veggie burger, using tofu instead. A first for me, it was decided that while the Mister and myself enjoyed these immensely, the kids did not. I'm not sure why, except maybe that they are used to having tofu fried or baked, instead of grilled. Still, this was very tasty and I would make it again, albeit maybe as a lunch for us grownups.

Ingredients:

1 block extra firm tofu, sliced into 1/4 to 1/2  inch rectangles
juice of one or two lemons
3 tbsp mustard
3 tbsp honey
3 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped basil
salt and pepper to taste

Hamburger buns or rolls and favorite burger fixings

Mix together the lemon juice, mustard, honey, garlic, oil, basil, salt and pepper. Brush both sides of the tofu slices and let sit for at least an hour.

Grill over medium heat until the tofu is heated through and has those fancy grill marks on each side. Fix burgers as you like, with mayo, pickles, tomato, lettuce.

Plank Pose Panzanella

Every Sunday I make a few loaves of bread for the week. We love it for the first few days but by the end of the week, I always seem to have half a loaf of homemade bread that's in need of using.

This week I'm chopping up my lovely herb loaf leftovers and making panzanella, which is an italian bread salad. It is vegetarian and if you opt out of the mozzarella, it is vegan.

Plank Pose Panzanella

4-6 cups cubed bread

1/3 cup olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

2 cloves garlic

1/2 chopped red onion

4 tomatoes, wedged

1/2 cup kalamata (or any other) olives, halved

handful of fresh basil

1 cup chopped mozarella (optional)

dressing

1/4 cup olive oil

3 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Combine bread cubes with 1/3 cup olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic. Toss to coat and spread onto cookie sheet. Toast bread in preheated 400 degree oven until brown (about 8 minutes).

Let cool. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl, add the bread and top with dressing, tossing to coat. It's best if you let it sit for about half an hour before serving.

Plank Pose

Plank Pose is also called the "top of a pushup." From hands and knees, place the palms of your hands on the mat, spreading the fingers wide. Step the legs back, one at a time, until you come into plank pose. Keep both legs straight, lifting the backs of the knees toward the ceiling. Tuck your tailbone in and engage your buttocks. Draw the navel in and look slightly forward. When ready to come out, drop the knees to the mat and return to a neutral position.