Tofu: Not just for sissies any more.

[Ghreyfain]

So yes, here I sit in front of my computer at 4:57 a.m. preparing to go to work in another half hour or so.  I am also in the middle of choking down a... well, I'm not sure what to call it.  It's got a package of almond-flavoured tofu in there, a banana, a good dose of blueberries and strawberries, and some sort of mango/pineapple/orange juice I had in the fridge.

A sissy drink, for sure, yeah?  That's what I thought, too, and where am I going with this?  Not sure, but anything with that much protein in it can't possibly be for wusses.  It's like a futuristic, scientifically engineered, super-condensed space drink.

I don't think I can properly explain this in words alone.  That's why god invented pseudo-math.

Science!  >  Sissy   (naturally)
Super energy capsules/drinks/etc.  =  Futuristic sci-fi, and futuristic sci-fi != sissy, either.
Tofu = Weird sludge stuff, a common appearance for super energy sci-fi gunk

So if Sissy can't = Science! and Sci-fi is basically Science! with costumes and adventure and plots that can be finished in an hour and stuff, then I see no possible way that Tofu Gunked Together With Fruits and Suchlike Scientriffic Things can be considered to = Sissy.

[Reverendratbastard]

  don't get all second-guess defensive on us - just chug that powersludge of potency with complete confidence in yr sci-manhood!
  *somehow-very-cerebral supportive grunts*

[Eral]

This is a whole new debate: is tofu wussy and sissy? Is it up there with quiche?
I always thought it was deeply suspect to say the least- and that vegetarians only ate it as a bizarre form of self-flagellation. Then I discovered tofu stuffed with minced prawn, cooked in a hot-pot at the best Vietnamese restaurant in Preston/Northcote "Petite Saigon"(you should all go there), and have had to radically alter my view on tofu as inedible and the food of those who don't actually like eating.
On the other hand, I'm pretty sure my brother (who has a lot of fun using Neanderthal man as his role-model) would be fairly adamant that tofu is for sissies. My spouse is no use in this discussion, he still can't decide about quiche.

[Reverendratbastard]

he might need to research neanderthals a bit more if they're his role model.  methinks cro-magnons would be the ones calling anything 'sissy'.

[Eral]

Whichever one is the least developed would be the one he aims for.

[Reverendratbastard]

iirc neanderthals = higher WIS, CON and STR, CG tendencies

    cro-magnons = higher INT and DEX, NE tendencies

  'developed' is a relative term - if the cro-mags hadn't wiped out the neanders we might not have figured out so many layers of military application, but we might have actually attained a planetary survival infrastructure by now...
  yes, the grass is always greener on the other side of the species pool...  it's just such a big risk to hold the breath and dive through those tunnels...

[jcompton]

Tofu is all about sauce. Many foods are used as sauce-delivery vehicles anyway (see pasta) so really, it's not that unusual.

[Reverendratbastard]

 getting flavor >into< tofu is more of a challenge, however.  everybody*!  share your secrets!
 i've only gone the blatant route - fry in vinegar and/or soy/tamari.  once soaked in bragg's, which is great for those of us who love the salty and/or the vegemite.

 *anyone who doesn't question the merits of tofu, natch

[glain]

*makes mental note to send Ghrey some Omaha steaks, spaghetti sauce and cheesecake*

[mcruz]

*makes mental note to send Ghrey some Omaha steaks, spaghetti sauce and cheesecake*

Yeah we can't have a respected pirate such as Ghrey eating that sissy food! 

[colbruce]

In Reply to #1

Trying to figure out how you got through that whole post including a mathamatical formula to define the beverage, without naming the drink as a "smoothie". Some other ingredients that'll enhance such a bev: frozen berries;  or 1 or 2 ice cubes blended in; and/or one spoonful of vanilla icecream.

Tofu cutlets on the grill, also good and non-siss. preperation (fire!!), lightly blackened with grill marks.  Start w/ basic unflavored firm tofu block, cut into 1/2 inch steaks.  To enhance marinade uptake, squeeze the tofu (between 2 plates, or with a towel), then place it in your braggs/soy/garlic/spices.  Interestingly 10 minutes is long enough to marinate, it won't absorb much more if you leave it longer.

[KIrving]

Forget about Tofu, eat Tempeh!  Much tastier, although I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for smoothies, might be a bit too chunky.  
Just in case you don't know, Tempeh is a firm cake of partially cooked, fermented soy beans, coated with a mould culture.  Okay I know that doesn't sound that appetizing but think about how a cheese like Camembert is made.  Tempeh is great instead of meat in stir-frys, curries, BBQ etc.  Marinated in Black Bean sauce and stir-fried with broccoli, mushrooms and Japanese noodles is one of my faves.

What's wrong with sissiness?  Embrace your inner (or outer) sissy!!

[cliffette]

I consider tofu a close relative of kung-fu.

Hence, ultra-non-sissiness.

[melora]

i never thought of tofu as a sissy food.... just thought of it as gross!

[Eral]

yes, jc, I understand that NOW, having eaten said hotpot - but is it sissy? (It's interesting to find who eats tofu. We may need tags under the photos in the album.)

Cliffette, if the link between tofu and kungfu is the "u", you may be making a bit of a stretch. (Keep it up though, it's good mental exercise. And amusing for the rest of us.) I think that tofu is not yet proved to be non-sissy. 

Colbruce, that is an interesting idea. A barbecue is inherently un-sissy. It's the domain of the conqueror of the outdoors, the provider bringing food to the tribe. Can tofu absorb that ambience? I have to say my dad would not ever place tofu on the sacred barbecue, but this is a man who is set in his ways. (And no-one else gets near the barbie when he's there.)

KIrving, you have proved to be a vegetarian, and I would like to refer you to my point about self-flagellation.(Mould? Partially cooked?That's not how you convert people.) All further comments of yours now have to be viewed with the knowledge of your bias in mind. (I think you should start a new thread -"disgusting things I readily eat"- it may be the all time winner thread.)

[jester]

I had a macrobiotics girlfriend, so I have experienced the ins and outs about tofu. Then she left me for another erm sissy and now all I am left with is a constant craving for Miso soup. (Oh wait, this is not the romance thread? Dang)

I like it a little spiced up, but not posing for meat or something. (Tofu with chicken flavour?Now that is gross. ) Perhaps this has been invented to bring peace to mixed partnerships/households.

[Reverendratbastard]

if the link between tofu and kungfu is the "u", you may be making a bit of a stretch.

 i kinda figured it's the "fu".  which signifies more than twice as much...

Perhaps this has been invented to bring peace to mixed partnerships/households

  indubitably... and not a very impressive effort, i might add.

[jester]

First TO FU position die-hard carnivores have to learn: The Belching Crane

Perhaps they can help you here: http://www.shaolinwhitecranekungfu.com/

[Eral]

They don't mention tofu. I'm actually disappointed.

[Ghreyfain]

I'm not feeling terribly encouraged by the way this conversation is going.  Sure, kung fu is a bit above sissiness, but everyone KNOWS that pirates are way tougher than ninjas.

Then there's the whole "cooking tofu like a steak" thing; if I want a steak, I will eat a steak.  What I want is a magic potion to restore lost CON, basically (and perhaps provide a temporary bonus to str/con.  Does that sound unbalanced?)

[Reverendratbastard]

everyone KNOWS that pirates are way tougher than ninjas.

 apparently not everyone knows that ninjas have precious little to do with kung fu.

Then there's the whole "cooking tofu like a steak" thing; if I want a steak, I will eat a steak.  What I want is a magic potion to restore lost CON, basically (and perhaps provide a temporary bonus to str/con.  Does that sound unbalanced?)

 not unless ALL of your stats were already at racial max...

[Stoplight Red]

I'm not feeling terribly encouraged by the way this conversation is going.  Sure, kung fu is a bit above sissiness, but everyone KNOWS that pirates are way tougher than ninjas.

Think of it this way, Ghrey. You're *eating* kung-fu's relatives. That's hardcore.

[glain]

I don't think tofu is sissy at all, in fact I think it takes a great amount of courage to eat it. 

*goes to stand behind the cowardly lion*

[Andyr]

I like tofu.

[Caedwyr]

Well, there went your argument Ghrey...