Sunday, March 13, 2011

Killer Tofu From Guest Blogger Alan Orloff

AlanOrloffpicReading a good book is one of the great joys of life. So is eating.

Many people don’t like tofu. I should know; I used to be one of them. But a few years back, on an “eat healthier” kick, I figured I’d give it a whirl. In order to make it palatable, though, I had to invent my own recipe. After an ill-advised experiment involving hot fudge sauce, bananas, and maraschino cherries, I finally came up with a tofu dish I liked.

I had originally named this recipe Tofu-a-Palooza, but I’ve re-christened it Killer Tofu, in support of my new release KILLER ROUTINE (see the resemblance?). Of course, the protagonist in that book, Channing Hayes, wouldn’t eat tofu if it were the last thing in his neighbor’s fridge. (Being a comedian, he’s more partial to sugary breakfast cereals with cartoon character mascots.)

Anyway, one of the best things about this recipe is its flexibility. And, since no real measuring is required, there are fewer things to clean up.

Believe it or not, this is a dish I sometimes serve at Thanksgiving!

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Killer Tofu

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Ingredients

One small onion, diced

One pound block of extra firm tofu, diced

Half pound of frozen corn kernels, give or take.

Green or red pepper, diced, optional

A few tablespoons chopped or minced garlic. Or not.

Ketchup

Mustard

BBQ sauce

Hot sauce

Heat 2 Tbs oil in wok or large skillet. Stir-fry onion (and pepper, if you’re using it) on high heat for about 2 minutes. Add tofu, and stir-fry another minute. Add corn. Dump in mustard, ketchup, BBQ sauce, and hot sauce, to taste, stirring well. Cook until everything’s nice and hot, about 5 more minutes.

Serve over rice or noodles. If the thought of eating a vegetarian meal unnerves you, toss in some leftover cooked chicken or shrimp.

Thanks for hosting me today, and let me know if you’ve become a tofu convert!

Killer Routine 72dpi 200x308Alan Orloff’s latest release, KILLER ROUTINE, is the first in the Last Laff series, which features Channing Hayes, a stand-up comic with a tragic past. The official release date is April 1, but it is available now! His debut mystery was DIAMONDS FOR THE DEAD, also available wherever fine books are sold. For more info, visit www.alanorloff.com

14 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for joining us here at the Mystery Lovers' Kitchen, Alan! And congratulations on your release! Now that I know it's already available, I'm going to get my copy. :)

    This recipe looks right up my alley--fast, easy, and good! Thanks, Alan. :)

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  2. I've never tried tofu, but you make it sound tempting. This recipe is quick and easy which is an added bonus.

    Congratulations on the release of KILLER ROUTINE. Alan, wishing you much success.

    Mason
    Thoughts in Progress

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  3. Alan, thanks for sharing. I'm probably more like your character, Channing, and it might have to be the last thing in my neighbor's fridge, too. That and beets. Don't get me started. BUT my son loves tofu, so I'll be passing this along to him and I know he'll love it. :)

    ~Avery AveryAames.com

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  4. I'll like to give this a shot - my husband loves tofu and I am quite afraid of it. But we all have to grow up sometime, so I'll take the plunge!

    Thanks for joining us on Mystery Lovers Kitchen and good luck with the new book. It looks very entertaining.

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  5. This sounds good enough to eat! I have an on & off relationship with tofu. I think this recipe would make it a permanent thing! Thanks.

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  6. Alan - I'm very excited to hear KILLER ROUTINE is available now. I've been waiting for the LAST LAFF series to launch ever since you first mentioned it. (I'm going to buy it right after I type this comment!) I'm not a big fan of tofu, but your "artist's rendering" has convinced me to try your recipe. My husband, Marc, suggests a curtain call of sesame seeds sprinkled on the finished dish (or even a shower of chopped scallions). Finally - BIG CONGRATS on your Agatha nomination for Best First Novel (DIAMONDS FOR THE DEAD). Another reason to celebrate with tofu. You'll have to tell us - does it go with champagne?

    ~ Cleo Coffeehouse Mystery.com
    Cleo Coyle on Twitter

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  7. Elizabeth - It's fast. It's easy. Good? I'll leave that up to the tasters.

    Mason - Never tried tofu? It's pretty bland, that's why you need to mix it with flavorful things.

    Avery - Try it, you'll like it. Btw, beets are way worse than tofu.

    Mary Jane - The silky (soft) tofu is pretty scary. I have to have extra firm.

    Erika - I've found that if you put in enough hot sauce, you won't even taste the tofu!

    Terry - I've tried other tofu recipes, but most end up tasting, well, like tofu.

    Cleo - Thanks! Luckily I cook as well as I draw :) I think scallions would be a nice touch. I'll have to try the champagne and tofu pairing. Maybe at a future brunch...

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  8. Alan, congratulations on your Agatha nomination for Best First Novel! Woohoo!

    Your recipe sounds great. I'm not averse to meat-free meals, but it does sound like a terrific dish for shrimp!

    Thanks for joining us today.

    ~ Krista

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  9. I'm always scared my vegetarian card will be revoked when I say this, but I was never a fan of tofu ... until I learned how to make ice cream out of it. :)

    This, too, seems like a recipe I can get behind. Frankly, BBQ sauce is a strong selling point. I bet this would be good on a bun - like pulled pork.

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  10. Krista - Thanks! Shrimp is good. Oddly, so are chicken nuggets.

    Wendy - I was kiddding about the hot fudge sauce, but...evidently...

    When I make this dish, it comes out a little too "saucy" to go on a bun without soaking through.

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  11. Alan - chiming in late here, but none the less enthusiastically! Thanks for a tofu recipe. I tried working with it once, with no real guidance and the results were ... well.... ugh. I'm eager to try again now, thanks to you.

    Congrats on the release of KILLER ROUTINE. Great title!

    Thanks for joining us here in the kitchen today!

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  12. Thanks for inviting me to join you all today. I love this blog, and the recipes I've picked up here have always gone over well (those string beans wrapped in bacon were popular!) with my picky eaters (most of whom won't even look at my Killer Tofu).

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  13. Nice and simple recipe.
    One important thing when cooking with tofu I have found out only recently is to drain it well before cooking.

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