see.tofu

It's been a long few weeks and when you are from the South (like I am) and you have had a hard day you crave southern food aka comfort food. Being vegetarian, I would say this can sometimes be a challenge. But not all Southern food is slathered with meat. When I first moved out to San Francisco my sister was so afraid that I wouldn't have grits available she would mail them to me. Just so I would have a little taste of home always available. The truth is, you can find grits in San Francisco, but they aren't as good (unless they are from my kitchen!) Thursday night I was in the mood for the taste of the South. So I made vegetarians southern dinner. This is truly my inspiration. A Vegan Soul Food tent from the Oakland Farmer's Market. The food is amazing and imagine... NO BUTTER!!! Well, my will power is not that strong, butter is and always will be a critical ingredient. But this is where I started thinking that just because I don't eat meat, doesn't mean I can't eat Southern!

So this posting should really be titled: "my adventures with tofu". Here it is, I used 'extra firm' tofu, drained it and stuck it in the freezer for a night. This changes the consistency of the tofu to have more texture. When you take it out let it thaw or run warm water over it. Then before you use it get as much water out as possible.

I sliced it and smothered it with barbecue sauce. Tofu (for me) is not a meat replacement, it is just tofu. I don't think of it as meat so I don't get all emotional when the texture is not the same. The best thing about Tofu is that it is the ultimate mimic. Tofu can be sweet or salty or savory it just depends on what you want it to do!

Green Beans! I sauteed up some onions, soy sauce, and garlic, then added the green beans.

And what southern meal wouldn't be complete without corn bread. Yum!

Here it is... well here it was.