This Tofu Po’Boy sandwich is a remake of a sandwich I loved ordering from one of my favorite places to eat in central Kentucky, Windy Corner Market.
My first experience with tofu was not pleasant. I convinced myself to try it when I was in college because it was what healthy people ate. And being a nutrition major, well, I considered myself a healthy person. After ordering it at a restaurant, it arrived in a stir-fry, mushy and tasteless. This led to my conclusion that while I was healthy, I wasn’t that healthy.
It wasn’t until I traveled to Southeast Asia and tasted tofu for what it truly is – an Asian specialty – that I began to appreciate it. There, it was most often referred to as bean curd, deep fried with a crispy texture, set atop a steaming bowl of veggies and noodles, and it most likely came homemade from the restaurant, or a vendor at the local market. It was delicious.
Bean curd is what I like, not the healthy-people-eat-tofu version I received in the States during that first experience.
Because frying isn’t my specialty, I had yet to make it at home. Then a few months ago I came across a post from Taste Hong Kong with step by step instructions on how to fry tofu.
With tofu fresh on the mind, I met friends at Windy Corner Market on the outskirts of Lexington for a holiday lunch a few weeks ago. I’ve already written about this wonderful, must-try establishment serving up local foods. On my most recent visit, I branched out to try the Tofu Boy for Topher. As the menu describes, “Crispy fried tofu in Black Jack Barbecue Sauce stacked with Earthy Crunchy Slaw, tomatoes, pickles and our special sauce.”
Despite the mediocre iPhone picture, I assure you it was delicious.
So, I had some tofu-focused signs telling me that it was time to bring it to my kitchen. As a result, I have my version of the Tofu Boy for Topher. It is different in style and ingredients, but similar in flavors. I also still have a way to go with perfecting fried tofu, but practice makes perfect in the kitchen.
Despite these shortcomings, I am ready to make this again for lunch tomorrow. It’s not Asian-style bean curd, but it’s a lot closer than the first version I tried. And surprisingly, barbecue sauce and crunchy cabbage go wonderfully with tofu.
Tofu Po’Boy with Barbecue Cole Slaw
2015-07-14 08:49:45
Makes: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 6 pieces of tofu about 1 ½ inches wide & ½ inch thick
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 cup green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 cup purple cabbage, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce (I use a local favorite, KY Smokin’Grill)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 inch baguette or bun
Instructions
- Prepare the tofu by using the instructions at Taste HongKong.
- In a bowl, combine the cabbages and green onion. In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayo and bbq sauce. Pour the sauce over the cabbage and toss to coat. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Cut the baguette in half and split down the center. Once the tofu is done, place three pieces on each half of baguette. Divide the slaw and top tofu. Enjoy right away.
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FFF, I didn’t actually “found” the Culinary Smackdown, I’m just the CS cheerleader who resurrected it last summer after this revolving cooking contest meandered away from some of us early participants to parts of the blogosphere unknown.
Love your entry! Definitely enough to change my mind about tofu from my college experiences too.
And it sounds like Windy Corner Market is a must on my next trip to Lexington.
Thanks for joining in!
I’ve never had tofu and have never wanted to…until now! This sandwich looks so yummy.
We eat tofu in many ways but never eat it with bread, this look delicious and healthy..going to try this out soon. Thanks for sharing.
Intuitive Eggplant – Thanks for the clarification. I rephrased it in the post. 🙂 Yes, definitely swing by there when you are down this way.
Meagan – It’s a great way to try it out.
Sonia – I would expect tofu in sandwich form is something from here. We always seem to turn everything into a sandwich. Ha, ha!
Love this! I can’t wait to try it!
Looks delicious. Would love for you to share your pictures with us over at foodepix.com.
i love tofu – i think the color you have there on the outside is just brilliant 🙂 and i’m with sonia – never had it on bread. But it’s lookin good sister!
This is one of the most unique ways I’ve seen tofu used! Every fiber of my being wants it! It looks utterly delicious.
I’ve been craving a po’ boy, I wonder what NOLA would think about a tofu po’ boy…. 😉
Oh Hello! I buy tofu po’ boys from a Pho place across the street from my office. LOVE them. Their secret indredient is cilantro, which sounds odd, but it’s great. I had no idea picking tofu would so controversial. Ha! Here in the PNW where I live (Hippie Land) it’s very common.
What a beautiful post you’ve put together, great story and you’ve given me a recipe I think I’ll make at home. Thank you for entering! It was a pleasure reading you post.
FFF
I’m one of the Culinary Smackdown participant/lurkers and came over from IE’s blog. I like the simplicity of your sandwich and especially the slaw. So simple and I’ve never heard of BBQ sauce and mayonaise in a slaw. I might put that one in my back pocket for another time. Nice job.
This looks great! I love the BBQ cole slaw idea, too. Definitely going to try this one.
GG
I have your entry UP in the Red Corner. 🙂
Thank you again for participating!
I’ll definitely be making this coleslaw! Happy Culinary Smackdown and good luck!
Hi There, FFF, I like your entry. Why? Cuz like you, me no likey mushy! The crunch from the bread, the slaw, all makes eating tofu more pleasurable, I think! I’m up too! Good luck!
Results are in! Thank you for a really amazing photo and recipe. I’ll be back to visit you blog in the future, so I think I’m the real winner in this competition!
I have a hard time frying tofu too. I love a po ‘boy and I think all the flavor in this one would make it a healthy alternative.