When my husband is traveling or out with his guy friends, I like nothing more than a very simple, very quick dinner at home that will leave me nourished and ready to tuck into a good book for hours on afterward.

I’m talking tofu, rice, and veggies.

On first thought, that trio may seem way too boring or virtuous.

But I promise: It is homey, comforting, and will leave you content.

“Lemongrass Tofu” is an example of that, with firm tofu marinated in minced lemongrass, honey, soy sauce, chili pepper, and turmeric before getting quickly sauteed in a pan for dinner in no time flat.

This easy recipe is from “Vietnamese Food and Food Culture” (Tuttle, 2025), of which I received a review copy.

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