POP-UP ALERT!

I've been working on a tofu skewer concept and have my first partnership dinner tonight!

If you’re reading Tofu Tuesday, you’ve maybe heard me try to convey the vastness of tofu to a polite passerby. You know… there are over 27 different types!!! Like… tofu can taste like cheese… and fish cakes… and pastry crust… and matzo balls… and bacon… and … !!

The comparisons melt together, until my victim cuts me off: "yeah, tofu is pretty versatile.”

I sigh, having failed once again. For I was trying to convey the exact OPPOSITE.

Tofu as a category is versatile, but each of its ingredients, by itself, is quite discrete. The taste, texture, form of, say, pressed tofu relegates it to certain roles where firm tofu would not thrive. Ditto for all the others. It’s precisely the uniqueness of each individual variety, not their so-called “blank slate,” that makes them culinarily exciting.

This is one of the reasons I love Chinese-style BBQ tofu. While customizable in certain ways like hot pot (pick your soup base… ingredients… dips… ), grilled tofus better maintain their own character. The crackly, dry surface and tender insides of spongy tofu; the blistered, dense skin of pressed tofu; the chewy, lattice-roughness of tofu sheets…

I’m still newish to Chinese BBQ tofu, but have been exploring recipes and getting more excited by the day. They’re cheap. They’re quick. They’re healthy-ish. They play into smoky flavors and substantial textures that American meat lovers tend to enjoy. I think they may be the ideal vehicle to convey the vast essence of tofu to future tofu fans.

If you’re excited about this stuff and happen to be in Los Angeles, I’m doing a pop-up tonight to gather feedback. It will be at the Offbeat bar in Highland Park (21+ only), from 7-11 PM. Skewers will be just $2-3. You can find the full info here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tofu-tuesday-unnamed-tofu-project-pop-up-tickets-840749292767 . Would love to see you there!!

(Sorry for the late notice - there will hopefully be many more pop-ups in the future!)