What can you do with Tofu and Eggs? Chef Noel Agra shows how to cook unique dishes with these ingredients

It’s the weekend but you’re stuck at home, trying to keep you and your family safe. So why not try making these easy-to-cook, affordable, and nutritious dishes that can help you strengthen your immune system – Tofu Tacos made more delicious with AJI-GINISA® Flavor Seasoning Mix and Cheesy Eggplant Scrambled Eggs na mas pinalinamnam because of AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning! These recipes are created by Chef Noel Agra, a true blue advocate of health and fitness.

Chef Noel is not only a chef but is also a jump rope and Obstacle Coarse Racing coach. He is the co-founder of Refine Ropes and the President of the Philippine Jump Rope Association. It might be interesting to note that Chef Noel wasn’t a fan of physical activity when he was young, but he started to slowly love and understand the joys of exercising and physical activity. And now, he strongly believes that taking care of our health – physical, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually – will help better our lives. Chef Noel studied culinary arts in the States, and he also worked there as a chef. Being a chef and an avid health and fitness advocate, he loves to create nutritious and delicious recipes that will surely satisfy one’s palate. With his culinary skills and fitness advocacy, he has created these two dishes to help newbie cooks to jumpstart their health and fitness journey.

First, Tofu Tacos, this is a variation of the famous Mexican dish that contains meat in a U-shaped taco. Originally, in the 19th century, the Mexican silver miners would have their food wrapped in soft-shelled corn tortilla which is easier to eat and helps keep their food warm. It also resembled the dynamites they used to blow up the rocks in the mines, hence it’s also known as “miner’s taco” or “taco de minero”.

Knowing that tacos are high in fat and cholesterol, and although buying these may be more convenient but are quite costly, Chef Noel has shared his guilt-free recipe that contains no cholesterol, low in fat, plus it’s inexpensive that uses easily accessible ingredients. His Tofu Tacos use flour tortilla, but you can most definitely use any tortilla or taco you prefer. Ready-to-eat tortillas and taco-shells are readily available in local groceries without the hassle of making it yourself! His recipe’s main ingredient is tofu, a high-protein, calcium-rich, and cholesterol-free ingredient, which is definitely a good alternative to meat when cutting down in fat and cholesterol intake. His recipe also contains tomatoes which is a good source of lycopene and vitamin C which are antioxidants to help boost the immune system.

To make this recipe, slice tofu into cubes. It’s better if you dry out the tofu first using a paper towel to remove the excess moisture. This will help the tofu absorb more of the marinade mixture. Place the sliced tofu in a bowl with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, lemon juice, chili sauce, salt, pepper, and of course, AJI-GINISA® Flavor Seasoning Mix. AJI-GINISA® gives the tofu a balanced taste of onion, garlic, spices, and meat extracts. Mix it carefully and marinate it for at least 15 minutes. Marinating the tofu helps it from drying out and helps intensify the flavor of the tofu. It also helps reduce the cooking time and the marinade mixture may act as a preservative. In a pan, sauté the marinated tofu pieces on all sides and then set these aside. In the same pan, sauté some diced tomatoes with the excess marinade mixture until softened. Now to arrange the tofu taco, grab a tortilla wrap then place the marinated tofu and sautéed tomatoes on top. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with a slice of lemon.

Chef Noel’s second recipe turns your typical scrambled eggs more delicious, thanks to AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning. Eggs are a versatile ingredient that can be cooked and used in various ways from as simple as hard-boiling, fried, scrambled, to something more complex like the French-style omelet.

Scrambled eggs are a typical breakfast meal to most of us and most probably, every nation has their own version of scrambled eggs. But the most common versions of the scrambled eggs are from America, Great Britain, and France. They differ in cooking techniques. While others would enjoy their scrambled eggs by incorporating other ingredients such as meats and local vegetables into their dish that will add texture and more flavor

Cooking eggs are a great way to explore new cooking techniques and different ingredient combinations, especially when we want to include vegetables in our diet. For now, let’s level-up our scrambled eggs with Cheesy Eggplant Scrambled Eggs Recipe, a simple and easy breakfast food that contains protein, calcium, and antioxidants that will help in keeping our immune system healthy. This budget-friendly recipe uses common ingredients that you can easily get from the market.

To cook this recipe, first, sauté garlic in a heated pan with oil. Add the eggplant once the garlic is fragrant. In a separate bowl, season beaten eggs with salt, pepper, and AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning. Add the beaten egg mixture and continuously stir to scramble the eggs. Once eggs are slightly wet or half-done, add the cheese and continue to cook until cheese is melted, and eggs are fully cooked. Garnish with spring onions and voila! Enjoy this dish with a cup of hot steamed rice or with 2 slices of breads. A simple and satisfying dish that’s bursting with umami taste because of AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning.

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