Ok... We have a bunch of friends getting together in early December, kinda an early Christmas because everybody will be tied up with family during the Holiday Season.
Anyway, I'm in charge of the meat! 8)
So it's going to be smoked turkey... no problem there... now comes the problem...
One member of our group of friends is a vegetarian. So I thought I would try to make something special for her... Smoked Tofu! Ok... I know nothing about tofu. as I understand it, it is a black slate taste wise so here was what I was thinking...
Purchase some extra firm regular (not silken) tofu, remove packaging, drain and freeze it. Thaw, drain and finally press it to remove additional moisture and firm it up a little more. As I understand this process will give the tofu a more dense texture, more similar to meat. Next I plan on marinating it but I'm not sure what to use or for how long. I'm looking for something to resemble turkey. And finally I will smoke it, again I'm not sure on the amount of smoke. I have also read that while smoking tofu you can mop it and it will absorb the mop very well.
I know I have read a few posts from a few members here on tofu and I would really appreciate any direction you guys can provide.
Mike
Mr. Walleye,
I found this recipe some time ago and it sounded good at the time.
http://www.myownbbq.com/content/tips/smokedtofu.cfm
Hope it would help.
HR
Mike,
I know there where some threads on it, I'll see if I can find. I think one of the people in those threads that had done tofu was Habs.
Deb
Mike,
Here are a couple & there are other threads in the links
http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=10953.0
http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=8792.0
Deb
Mike;
Use the method in Tofu Bacon (http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?t=498), but cut the tofu into cubes or quarter the blocks, or slice the thickness into half. Search the Internet for variety of marinades. How you cut the tofu prior to smoking, will depend on how you want to serve it.
I have a several friends that are either vegetarian or vegan. For those that are vegetarian I have been searching for a good vegetarian sausage, and now Sausage Maker sells vegetable collagen casings. I just ordered some. I don't think they will hold up under smoking, but looks alright for sauteing, or steaming.
Here is a link to the recipe I am going to try, the video show the process, and the recipe is listed lower in the page. Her recipe has gotten good reviews. She doesn't stuff her's into casing, but so you don't have to worry about casings. If you make the log sausage you may be able to cold smoke prior to steaming them.
Spicey Italian Vegetable Sausage (http://www.everydaydish.tv/index.php?page=recipe&recipe=109)
Mr W - Sorry, but I gotta say it...
Tofu (even without the smoke) is just wrong!
If, however, you're absolutely determined, I'd recommend looking up a recipe for planked shad - one which ends, "Finally, scrape the shad off the plank and eat the wood."
Give these Vegan sausage a try.
http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2008/03/homemade-sausages.html
I have made them and then
smoked them. They are good even without the smoke.
Go light in the smoke as they absorb the smoke real easy.
I smoked with Apple for 40 minutes.
Ross
Thanks for the ideas! ;)
I couldn't agree more with ya Ka Honu! :D But I gotta try and accommodate everybody. ;)
Mike
Well, MY, I feel for you. My daughter was on a vegetarian kick for a while. She got something called a tofurkey. Basically, a sculpted tofu in the - well sorta - shape of a turkey. I took it out back and shot it. Even the raccoons refused the remains.
I'd recommend just using some real vegetables and fruit. You can put together a nice out-of-the-bird stuffing that is vegan. Me? Gimme the meat. ;D
Quote from: Ka Honu on October 25, 2009, 04:26:01 PM
Mr W - Sorry, but I gotta say it...
Tofu (even without the smoke) is just wrong!
If, however, you're absolutely determined, I'd recommend looking up a recipe for planked shad - one which ends, "Finally, scrape the shad off the plank and eat the wood."
Sounds good....will put that at the top of my todo list.
Quote from: ArnieM on October 25, 2009, 07:46:54 PM
Well, MY, I feel for you. My daughter was on a vegetarian kick for a while. She got something called a tofurkey. Basically, a sculpted tofu in the - well sorta - shape of a turkey. I took it out back and shot it. Even the raccoons refused the remains.
Arnie,
Wasn't that an episode of "Everybody Love's Ramon"?
Mike,
I've never made smoked tofu before so I'm not much help there.
Will this gal eat smoked cheese possibly?
Or does she not eat any animal products at all?
Caroly
Mike, do u have a Traeger?
Might I suggest a smoked portobello mushroom?
Add a little smoked vegtables like asparagus, onions, and potatoes and you have a great tasting dish.
I think Gizmo has you hooked up.
But I forgot the smoked cheese in the mushroom. ;D
Mike;
Before adding honey, cheese or eggs you might want to find out what type of vegetarian diet s/he is on.
Also I remember a posting on Jackfruit, which is suppose to be similar to pork. I recall he made Vegetarian Pulled Pork from it. I haven't been able to find that vegetable in my area.
http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=10115.0
Quote from: RossP on October 25, 2009, 05:54:11 PM
Give these Vegan sausage a try.
http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2008/03/homemade-sausages.html
I have made them and then
smoked them. They are good even without the smoke.
Go light in the smoke as they absorb the smoke real easy.
I smoked with Apple for 40 minutes.
Ross
Ross,
I may try this if the other one does not work well.
Quote from: ArnieM on October 25, 2009, 07:46:54 PM
Well, MY, I feel for you. My daughter was on a vegetarian kick for a while. She got something called a tofurkey. Basically, a sculpted tofu in the - well sorta - shape of a turkey. I took it out back and shot it. Even the raccoons refused the remains.
I'd recommend just using some real vegetables and fruit. You can put together a nice out-of-the-bird stuffing that is vegan. Me? Gimme the meat. ;D
My son was a vegetarian for about 5 years. I did that tofurky one year too along with a real turkey of course. That thing was horrible. I don't think I tried to feed it to the racoons & I definitely didn't shoot it....
Giz has a great idea with the portabello...
Quote from: Habanero Smoker on October 26, 2009, 02:33:17 AM
...Also I remember a posting on Jackfruit, which is suppose to be similar to pork. I recall he made Vegetarian Pulled Pork from it. I haven't been able to find that vegetable in my area.....
http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=10115.0
That was me.... and it was OK, but needed work. The Jackfruit provided a good base texture but zero flavour, so it all had to come from the sauce. My choice of sauce (a homemade one) simply didn't work in my opinion. The vegetarians I made it for didn't mind it.... but they're generally just happy when somebody tries something different than the usual pre-made cardboard tasting burgers and sausages they normally get.
Unfortunately Mike, I'm pretty sure the Jackfruit is possibly the rarest of all fruit in Saskatchewan :) !!! I'd be very surprised if you find it.
Probably not the most "Christmassy" choice anyway.
I was also going to suggest a Tofurky.... a friend of mine mentioned these a few weeks back before Canadian Thanksgiving. You may find one of those locally, or perhaps in Saskatoon or Regina if you happen to be going there.
Quote from: deb415611 on October 26, 2009, 04:18:32 AM
Quote from: ArnieM on October 25, 2009, 07:46:54 PM
Well, MY, I feel for you. My daughter was on a vegetarian kick for a while. She got something called a tofurkey. Basically, a sculpted tofu in the - well sorta - shape of a turkey. I took it out back and shot it. Even the raccoons refused the remains.
I'd recommend just using some real vegetables and fruit. You can put together a nice out-of-the-bird stuffing that is vegan. Me? Gimme the meat. ;D
My son was a vegetarian for about 5 years. I did that tofurky one year too along with a real turkey of course. That thing was horrible. I don't think I tried to feed it to the racoons & I definitely didn't shoot it....
Giz has a great idea with the portabello...
We make portabello mini-pizza from time to time. I never thought about smoking them.
These are not like turkey by any means but I've like the following The smoked portabello is a great idea - tastes great. Make a pizza using soy cheese and soy chorizo. Haven't tried just smoking the soy chorizo - have some in the ref. to do, but rained this weekend and went to "The Jack" when it wasn't. Tempeh and Seitan are also good smoked. Have also done well with homemade meatless burgers (bean or soy or veggie).topped with peppered soy cheese. The seitan would probably be more like turkey. The imitation chicken is usually soy based, but usually good - but have not tried to Q' it. Have you ever grilled a polenta "burger" - pretty good. Grilled Chiles Rellenos filled with veggies - sorta like the Chilie Rellenos Throwdown.
Thanks for all the ideas everybody! ;)
I think I will have to follow up on Carolyn and Habs suggestions regarding checking with her as far as how extreme she is on the vegetarian thing. I believe pretty extreme but I think I will give her husband a call and find out for sure.
Caney
I'm kinda liking the idea of a portabello mushroom with sliced soy chorizo and some kinda of peppered soy cheese grated over it... Doesn't even sound that bad. :o
CRG
I don't have a Traeger but I do have a Louisiana CS570 though.
Mike
Ya know what Fishman...I had a similar "issue" at a Thanksgiving once...I made a pumkin soup (very fall like) and I made the veggie people Pot Pies (individual ones)...gotta say they were fabulous. It was an Ina Garten recipe (Barefoot Contessa).
I actually learned alot about making veggie stock from the recipe. Specifically, how to get the stock dark...
Anyway...you have a lot of great advice already...just thought I'd toss in!!
Thanks LQ.
I have a few weeks to get this girl figured out. ;) :D
I just really felt it would nice to do something special for her if I can.
Mike
Quote from: Mr Walleye on October 26, 2009, 08:15:23 PM
Thanks for all the ideas everybody! ;)
I think I will have to follow up on Carolyn and Habs suggestions regarding checking with her as far as how extreme she is on the vegetarian thing. I believe pretty extreme but I think I will give her husband a call and find out for sure.
Caney
I'm kinda liking the idea of a portabello mushroom with sliced soy chorizo and some kinda of peppered soy cheese grated over it... Doesn't even sound that bad. :o
CRG
I don't have a Traeger but I do have a Louisiana CS570 though.
Mike
As a full disclosure :) I was vegetarian in the early 70's, then in the mid 70's added fish and poultry back into my diet, around 2000 I added beef and pork back into my diet.
Be careful of purchasing soy products that are made to imitate meat or cheese. Check them out first, some brands taste great, others are down right awful.
Quote from: Habanero Smoker on October 27, 2009, 02:29:42 AM
Be careful of purchasing soy products that are made to imitate meat or cheese. Check them out first, some brands taste great, others are down right awful.
So true - I've opened some packages up and it was like opening up a can of cheap dog food. The smell was just like cheap canned dog food. Not that canned dog food tastes that bad only needs a little salt usually! Don't ask!!
I eat them to help with lowering fat intake and cholosterol. All the soy chorizos I have had around here are pretty good, - but you better check the soy cheeses first as Habs said. Wallyworld had (may still do) a brand that was revolting to my taste. The one the Krogers sale as slices around here is actually quite good.
Quote from: Caneyscud on October 27, 2009, 10:31:28 AM
So true - I've opened some packages up and it was like opening up a can of cheap dog food. The smell was just like cheap canned dog food. Not that canned dog food tastes that bad only needs a little salt usually! Don't ask!!
I eat them to help with lowering fat intake and cholosterol.
The dog food? ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: ArnieM on October 27, 2009, 11:15:58 AM
Quote from: Caneyscud on October 27, 2009, 10:31:28 AM
So true - I've opened some packages up and it was like opening up a can of cheap dog food. The smell was just like cheap canned dog food. Not that canned dog food tastes that bad only needs a little salt usually! Don't ask!!
I eat them to help with lowering fat intake and cholosterol.
The dog food? ;D ;D ;D
uhhh....uhhh....well I am currently underemployed (sounds better than saying partially laid off!) and a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do! Unfortunate ordering of sentences, besides, canned dog food is or was notoriously high in fat - say 15 to 20%.