This Can't Be Tofu! (22 page)

3.
Crumble the tofu into the pan, sprinkle over the turmeric, and cook, stirring frequently, until dry and firm. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and stir in the cilantro and cheese. Serve with warm tortillas and salsa.

SMOOTHIES AND THEIR COUSINS
,
good at any time, tend to serve as a substitute for the sit-down, solid breakfast. Fortunately, one can find portable sustenance along with good flavor in a smoothie.

While I’ve long been comfortable sipping a smoothie made with soy milk, the idea of drinking pureed tofu did make me nervous. Once I gave it a try, I had to admit that it was pretty good. Good enough that I’m confident that even the most reluctant among us will be pleasantly surprised. Tofu works especially well in drinks that you want to be smooth and creamy (but not made that way with banana), such as those based on coffee or juice. Tofu, however, does have a presence, so strong surrounding flavors are recommended. For this reason you may have better success if you base your smoothies on soy milk, and use tofu in small quantities as a thickener. Silken tofu purees most nicely, but you can use any type except extra-firm regular tofu. One-half to 1 cup are ample for 2 servings.

Don’t take the measurements given here too seriously. They’re just to get you started. After you’ve made one or two smoothies you’ll be concocting your own combinations with flair. You’ll also develop a keen eye for things that used to be bothersome, like a half-pot of espresso that’s gone cold, a little coconut milk begging to be used, a dollop of peanut butter, the tail end of some lemon curd, or a pear that’s grown a little too soft to serve. All of these can be easily turned into delicious beverages.

The ice cubes, by the way, are for making your smoothie cold. Leave them out, if you really don’t care, or briefly freeze the fresh fruit and skip the ice. If you like protein powders and the like, go ahead and add them to your drinks as well.

In a food processor or blender, puree the tofu and fruit until smooth, gradually adding the milk to loosen the mixture. Add the honey and ice and continue to blend until smooth.

Put the tofu and peaches in the blender with the vanilla and almond extracts and puree until smooth. Add the honey, milk, and ice, continue to blend until smooth, then serve.

Variations:
¼ cup peanut butter or almond butter
•
2 tablespoons or more chocolate syrup
•
both peanut butter and chocolate syrup
•
½ cup coconut milk plus a squeeze of fresh lime

Put the dates and soy milk in a blender and blend on low speed until the dates are completely broken up. This can take a few minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and blend at high speed until smooth and cold. Serve in small glasses.