À La Carte: A tofu for everyone

Tofu kimchi stew, tofu sandwich slices, sesame tofu + more 🍲

Hi friends,

Well, my first week of 2025 did not at all turn out as planned. I was hit with the flu on Tuesday and have barely gotten out of bed/off the couch since. I don’t remember the last time I was this sick, and am grateful to finally be on the mend today.

Of course my flu does not even begin to compare to what the people of the Los Angeles area are going through right now. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to witness your entire community leveled. It’s absolutely heartbreaking. Sending love to everyone affected by the wildfires.

This week’s round-up is dedicated to tofu, an extremely versatile and high-protein workhorse. I sort of think of tofu as the boneless, skinless chicken breast of the plant world because you can do so much with it, and it takes on the flavor of whatever you cook it with.

If tofu is new to you, it’s important to note it’s sold in different textures: from super firm, to firm, to soft. The different types work best for different preparations, so pay attention to the firmness level called for in each recipe.

Below are five globally-inspired dishes that can convert even the biggest tofu skeptics.

1. Peanut Tofu Stir-Fry

An easy one-pan dinner with crispy tofu, peppers and onions, and a creamy peanut butter sauce.

2. Tofu Kimchi Stew

A must-try for kimchi lovers. This spicy, tangy soup features silky tofu, crunchy daikon, meaty shiitakes, and a whole jar of kimchi - juice and all.

3. Veggie Sandwich with Smoky Tofu Slices

If plant-based sandwiches are a struggle for you, you’ve gotta try this technique. Here, thin slices of super firm tofu are marinated in a garlicky soy-balsamic glaze and then quickly pan-fried, resulting in a satisfying stand-in for conventional deli slices.

4. Palak Tofu (Vegan Palak “Paneer”)

When marinated in a lemon-miso brine and lightly baked, super firm tofu makes a surprisingly convincing paneer dupe in this classic Northern Indian dish. The rich cumin-scented spinach sauce is to die for.

5. Sesame Garlic Tofu

Inspired by my favorite Chinese takeout order, this tofu is coated in a savory, garlicky soy sauce glaze. A trusty weeknight standby in our house.

Planning to make one of these? Tell me how it goes in the comments section or tag me with your creation on Instagram.