After an exhausting day of defending basecamp from tuna juice attacks—don’t ask—I wondered what I could do for my evening sustenance. Clearly, cooking was out of the question. I needed something that would be quick and easy, such as a dish I could pop into the microwave I’ve managed to acquire. However, it had to be plant-based. A vegetarian pre-prepared meal? Now, that would be a hard thing to find. Most pre-prepared dishes feature meat as their star protein. This could only mean one thing: An adventure was calling.
That night, I stuck to nibbling on my fruit cup. I’d set out the next morning on a quest to find plant-based food I could rapidly prepare, as one never knows when they might be too tired to cook. There were several places in my jungle that were thick with ingredients and fellow settlers. I asked around, gathering leads as I went. Apparently, there was a cold corner of the wilderness known for housing pre-prepared foods—and plant-based wonders were hidden among them. I knew I had to find these edible idols, which meant heading into the frigid abyss.
I bundled myself in layers of clothing and set out for what some called the freezer section. Being vulnerable to cold weather, I instantly began to shiver. Part of me wanted to turn back, as I feared I might catch frostbite if I lingered too long. But I wasn’t about to abandon my quest. I pushed through and kept a watchful eye on the icy landscape. That is when I saw it shining like a beacon.
Sweet Earth
General Tso’s Tofu
I cradled the box in my hand and stared in awe at the vibrant picture. General Tso’s tofu, brown rice, and broccoli looked back at me. I turned it over to read the sacred text. It was only 370 calories with 11 grams of protein, and it would only take five and a half minutes in a microwave. The ingredients were simple, mostly things I could read with ease. It was all vegan too. The only unfortunate stats were the somewhat elevated sugar and sodium levels. Otherwise, this meal was ideal.
Upon returning to basecamp, I prepared this meal. All I had to do was peel off a plastic layer, cover with a paper towel, and turn on the microwave. When it was done, a marvelous scent surrounded me. It was sweet, sour, and slightly spicy. I was amazed by how tantalizing the dish looked. Some microwave meals come out looking like they’ve been mangled by a tiger. Not this. It was pretty. I couldn’t wait to dig in.
Everything was cut into perfect bite-sized bits. The sauce was tangy and slightly spiced. It was thick but not gloopy, hugging the tofu and broccoli perfectly. The ratio of tofu to veg to rice was fairly on point. It wasn’t a large meal by any means, but I would find that it was filling. I particularly loved the mouthfeel of the tofu. Just a slight crisp on the outside and delectable chew on the inside. And all this for an offering of only $4.99!
Now, if I don’t feel like cooking, I pop this vegan bowl in the microwave. I recommend it highly, especially for those who adore Asian flavors. Along this expedition, I have yet to find another edible idol like it. Still, there are other edible idols out there, and I intend to discover them all.
Until our next culinary quest,
Shelly, the Vegetarian Explorer
Want more Shelly? Check out her sites AND the podcast!