Tofu and vegetables get a dramatic lift from a spicy peanut sauce. Serve with a cucumber salad for a low-calorie, nutrient-packed vegetarian supper.

Makes 4 servings, generous 3/4 cup each

ACTIVE TIME: 15 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 25 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

Sauce
5 tablespoons water
4 tablespoons smooth natural peanut butter
1 tablespoon rice vinegar (see Ingredient note) or white vinegar
2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons minced ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced

Tofu & vegetables
14 ounces extra-firm tofu, preferably water-packed
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 cups baby spinach (6 ounces)
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms (4 ounces)
4 scallions, sliced (1 cup)

1. To prepare sauce: Whisk water, peanut butter, rice vinegar (or white vinegar), soy sauce, honey, ginger and garlic in a small bowl.
2. To prepare tofu: Drain and rinse tofu; pat dry. Slice the block crosswise into eight 1/2-inch-thick slabs. Coarsely crumble each slice into smaller, uneven pieces.
3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add tofu and cook in a single layer, without stirring, until the pieces begin to turn golden brown on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Then gently stir and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until all sides are golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes more.
4. Add spinach, mushrooms, scallions and the peanut sauce and cook, stirring, until the vegetables are just cooked, 1 to 2 minutes more.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 225 calories; 14 g fat (2 g sat, 3 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 16 g carbohydrate; 12 g protein; 5 g fiber; 229 mg sodium; 262 mg potassium.

Nutrition bonus: Calcium (16% daily value), Iron (16% dv).

1 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 2 medium-fat meat

TIP: Ingredient Note: Rice vinegar (or rice-wine vinegar) is mild, slightly sweet vinegar made from fermented rice. Find it in the Asian section of supermarkets and specialty stores.