Categories: Vegetables 
      Yield: 8 servings 
  
      2 tb Sesame oil 
    1/4 lb Broccoli florets 
     12    Asparagus tips 
      2    Carrots, julienned 
      1 sm Zucchini, cut into wheels 
    1/4 lb Snow peas 
      1 md Red pepper, julienned 
      1 md Green pepper, julienned 
      1 lb Tofu, cut into thin strips 
      2    Scallions, chopped 
           Tamari or soy sauce to taste 
  
  Thom Christopher may have walked away with an Emmy for his role as drug 
  kingpin Carlo Hesser on ONE LIFE TO LIVE, but he says his mother, Nancy, 
  swept the awards when it came to talent in the kitchen. "My mother was the 
  most incredible Italian cook," recalls Christopher (who was transformed 
  into jewel expert Mortimer Bern on the ABC show after his character Carlo 
  was murdered). "What's always fascinated me about my mom is that she could 
  work and come home and unexpectedly make meals for 20 people and upward." 
  Which is exactly what she did one evening in 1961 for Christopher and a 
  group of actors who had been rehearsing all afternoon: "Everyone said, 
  'What are we going to do with a party of 24?' I called home and said, 'Mom, 
  I'd like to bring the company home for dinner', and she said, 'How many?' I 
  said, 'About 24.' By the time we got home, she had made chicken with tomato 
  sauce, shells in tomato sauce, stuffed braciola, chicken soup with 
  escarole. To this day, we all remember that awesome meal." 
   
  Christopher's mom passed on her passion for cooking. The actor now enjoys 
  his own elaborate dinner parties with his wife, Judy, in their Manhattan 
  town house. Judy creates the entrees while Christopher whips up the 
  appetizers and desserts - from tuna-fish specialties to banana trifle. 
   
  His recipe for sauteed tofu and vegetables - which can be served as an 
  appetizer or a side dish - reflects his cooking philosophy. "I believe in 
  economy in the kitchen," he says. "You can eat very nicely without spending 
  the kitchen sink." 
   
  Coat the cooking area of a wok or deep frying pan with sesame oil and heat 
  until very hot. First, saute broccoli, asparagus, and carrots for a few 
  minutes. Then add zucchini, snow peas, and peppers and cook for another 
  minute or two. Add tofu and scallions last. Saute everything in sesame oil 
  for 2 more minutes. Then add tamari or soy sauce to taste and cook a little 
  longer, until vegetables are tender but not overcooked. Vegetables should 
  be stirred frequently and cooking time should not exceed 20 minutes.