Tofu with Rice.

Tofu with rice is barely a recipe, and that is entirely the point. Two ingredients, zero cooking (assuming your rice is already cooked), and in about the time it takes to open the fridge you have a protein-packed vegetarian plate.

Smoked tofu is the hero here, not plain firm tofu. Smoking gives the block a deep umami character that holds up against the neutral rice and means you don’t need a sauce, a stir-fry, or even heat. Slice it straight from the package and eat it.

This is a meal-prep and lunchbox workhorse more than a dinner recipe. Cook a batch of rice on Sunday, grab a block of smoked tofu, and you’ve got five days of fifteen-second lunches ready to go.

Serve warm, cold, or at whatever temperature the rice happens to be. It all works.

Variations

• Drizzle with soy sauce, a few drops of sesame oil, and sliced green onion for an instant savory bowl.
• Add quick-pickled cucumber or shredded carrot for crunch and acid.
• Top with furikake, a fried egg, or a spoonful of kimchi to turn this pantry combo into a proper rice bowl.