Tofu + Kebabs = Grilled Tofubas

"A vegetarian is a person who won't eat anything that can have children. ~David Brenner"

Then Vegan? A Vegan is a person who wouldnt eat anything that comes out of anything that can have children(!!!!!) Ok jokes apart - At any rate its good to incorporate vegetarian and vegan habits into our lifestyle. Instead of thinking it as deprivation, we can call it enhancement - of our health and of our wellbeing. I find many with their noses going into an automatic upward reflex the minute the mention of "Tofu" or "Soy" is made. "It is tasteless", "Its total bland", Its mushy" comes the grunt! Paneer does not have a great taste on its own either! Jelly is squishy and mushy too but we like them - dont we?

Soy products are good for you - in limited quantities ( buts thats for everything we eat) and the more natural they are, better for one's health. This means No-No to tofurkey(really!), Tofu dogs(seriouslly!!), Tofu Steak ( anything else left!!. Such products are not healthy since lots of "other" ingredients do go into making these stuff which are not "health-friendly". You want a meat substitute - go for something like Portobello, Tempeh, Seitan which gives the meaty feeling. Not something like Tofurkey!!!. We "at first with our eyes"was not said in passing fancy, it holds so true and it works more so in cases like "so-called-bland- Tofu"



One great way to coax the kids and also the adults "still-with-their-noses-up-in-the-air" is by making a colorful presentation of Tofubas(?) Tofu + Kebabs = Tofubas!! Laughing at me? Why? When something named "Tofurkey" can sell why not Tofubas!! And this is more healthy too.These are good Grilled, Broiled, Barbecued. Give it a try. You can use the marinade ( there goes your "bland" excuse ) or you can make without the marinade for the kids and top it off with crushed peanuts. Tastes Yum.

Ingredients
1 pkt firm tofu ( about 14 oz / 400 gms),squeezed of excess water and cubed
4 bell peppers, chopped into small squares ( 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 green and 1 orange)
Can use any other vegetable of choice like mushrooms, zucchini etc
3-4 bamboo/metal skewers

For the marinade
1 tbsp peanut oil
3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
2 tsp grated ginger
1/2 tsp hoisen sauce
1 tsp plum sauce
1 tbsp orange juice

( +/- any of these as per your taste)

Method

1. Mix the ingredients for the marinade in a large bowl and place the cubed tofu inside it and stir v gently till it is coated by the marinade. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 30min.



2.Place the wooden skewers ( if using) in a vessel filled with water at least 10min before grilling. Then heat the grill pan and start threading the bell peppers along with tofu alternating the colors.



3.Place it in a grill pan and cook till done, turning occasionally.



4.Serve with chilli dipping sauce. :)



Off goes the tofubas to the grilling party at Sig's initiated by Meeta and to Monsoon Spice for her Soy Feast for JFI