Early on in our time in DC, I discovered Teaism on an overcast and lonely afternoon of wandering around downtown. Just a few blocks off the Mall, Teaism became a go-to spot for us if we were in the city and needed lunch after going to the Portrait Gallery or one of the other Smithsonians. On this particular day, however, I fell in love with their bento boxes.

The contents varied from trip to trip, but the upper right hand corner remained constant: sticky rice with a nutty savory seasoning called furikake, which I loved enough to pick up a jar that then sat unused – until today.

Dinner tonight was marinated and broiled tofu – worlds better than last night’s – and a packet of Trader Joe’s brown rice with furikake. Salty, savory, and so damned good. My marinade was a bit of this and that – all measures are approximate, and you should absolutely adjust as suits your tastes:
1 tablespoon tamari (or soy sauce)
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 large clove garlic, pulverized by whatever means you see fit
Vegetarian alternatives to fish and oyster sauces are apparently available at ethnic food stores, but I haven’t tried them, so I make no promises. All I know is that if you marinate tofu in this stuff for half an hour and then broil it for about 8 minutes on each side, it will be all you can do to not EAT IT ALL UP.