February 18, 2002
Tofu CAN be delicious

I've been some form of vegetarian now for about 5 years, waxing and waning on certain issues like fish and the occasional half chicken from Boston Market. During this time, I've never been particularly impressed with tofu, the supposed soybean godsend for veggies. Dinner last night, however, changed that impression.
After a great workout, Filip, Janet and I met up with Zia and Ariadne, two of Filip and Janet's best friends in Tokyo. Like most of the really good restaurants in Tokyo, this one was tucked away in some residential corner, barely recognizable as a restaurant, but full. The decor was traditional tatami style, with straw mats, no shoes, everyone sitting on the floor, and very subdued lamp light.
Filip and Ariadne did most of the ordering, since they speak Japanese, and the rest of us just kind of waited for food to be presented. One of the first dishes was sesame tofu, which looked like block tofu that had been pureed. I scooped up a glop with my chopsticks, preparing for the same blandness I've tasted a thousand times, and was instantly impressed. This tofu was good. It had texture, like nutella or peanut butter, and flavor. I was literally blown away! All of this from soybean curd and a little sesame oil.
The rest of the meal was just as amazing--spring roles, sauted eggplant, Japanese yams with tartar sauce, and of course, Japanese beer and a little sake. We finished it off with a cup of hot tea and set home. Coupled with my 45-minute shower/sauna/bathing at the gym, the evening was quite possibly one of the most joyous and relaxing of my life

Posted by jimray at February 18, 2002 09:19 AM
Comments

You make your evening sound dissimilar to your experiences under my nuturing roof!!! Eggplant, check, yams, check, tofu, check (oten what I put in lasgna instead of meat), beer, check, no shoes, check, 45 minute shower, check!!! Hmmmmmmmmmmmm! I await your response!!
Mom

Posted by: Mom on February 18, 2002 12:43 PM

I once ate something called Tofurkey at a vegetarian thanksgiving dinner. It made me want to eat real dead things.

Posted by: kid ethnic on February 19, 2002 04:16 AM

i would still take steak over this "wonder-tofu"

Posted by: jray on February 20, 2002 01:44 PM

Bring the recipe home for your brothers. I am sure they would love to experience a "good Tofu recipe". As for me I have "come around" to many things via my boys... like sushi! Continue to enjoy! Love Ya, Dad

Posted by: Dad on February 22, 2002 03:05 AM

"You go mom!"

Posted by: Lani on February 23, 2002 06:08 AM
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