Braised Tofu, Garlic Stems, and Dried Black Mushrooms

Assemble a copious vegetarian meal of meaty mushrooms, creamy tofu, and crunchy garlic stems bathed in a light gingery sauce. There are many grades of dried Oriental mushrooms (also called Chinese, forest, and black) from pale to dark, skimpy to pudgy, light to ponderous. All are forms of Lentinula edodes, called shiitake in Japanese. Whether you use Chinese or Japanese strains, opt for those with thick, fissured caps, which give luscious fleshiness to vegetarian dishes. Save the ste