“Versatility is My Name if Creativity is Your Game,” – In Conversation with Versatile Tofu

In India, Tofu always existed as an unsung, default ingredient in some East and South-East Asian restaurants. About a decade ago, Tofu made a humble entry in the Indian supermarkets. At that time, the handful of vegans in the country noticed Tofu and thus began to propagate Tofu by word of mouth. For the vegans, it was like discovering a new ingredient that had the potential to reduce cruelty in the dairy industry. Eureka!

Fast forward to today. Tofu has reached the brink of exponential growth with a resounding “yay” for it coming in from all quarters. While vegans will never stop raving about Tofu, the number of non-vegan restaurants including a Tofu dish or two in their menus continues to rise steadily. The “health-food” sector has especially embraced Tofu and those who have not yet, well, they have some catching up to do!

Tofu making its place in the supermarket shelves in India is especially noteworthy because this position has not come without struggle – the struggle to gain acceptance as replacement to the ubiquitous paneer or cottage cheese in an atmosphere of distrust. Despite Tofu being integral to East and South-East Asian cuisine since centuries, it is surprising that Tofu was little known in India. Tofu has also struggled to gain acceptance as a “health food” because of the numerous misconceptions and myths around it. Some say they are propagated by industries that perceive Tofu as a threat.

There is no turning back now, Tofu is here and how! And, Tofu is here to stay. We now present to you our interview with Versatile Tofu, whose kind, philosophical, and tongue-in-cheek responses blew our hearts and minds away. Truly versatile, we were mesmerized.

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Vegan India! – Tofu, first of all, congratulations on doing so well in India. We are so happy that you have made your presence not only in the metros but smaller towns and cities as well, you have acquired the title of a “superfood” and some say you are at the top of the food hierarchy…

Versatile Tofu – Well, thank you India for accepting me and giving me an opportunity to showcase my versatility and talent. I especially want to thank the Indian vegans for their unconditional love and support for me. This love is very powerful because it comes from the aspiration of seeking liberation for other living beings.

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Vegan India! – OMG Versatile Tofu, that’s so profound and so true! We have many readers who are vegan-curious, new vegans, or simply drawn towards your personality out of the health fetish. Could you tell us about your origin, your composition, etc.

Versatile Tofu – If I may put it this way, I am a really old soul on this Earth. I have been around for 2000 years [chuckles]. China is my birthplace. For the humans of East and South-East Asia, I am a regular ingredient in their food, just like tomatoes are in Indian food. Oh dear, I love the feel of your tomato masalas combined with onions and spices. It makes me feel so very royal.

My family tree can be traced to the Great Soya Bean. Humans of East and South-East Asia have been making milk from soya beans since centuries. I was born from curdled soya bean milk. In India, I am called soya “paneer.” The process to create me is quite similar to dairy paneer.

Because I am composed of high quality, cholesterol-free proteins and contain low calories, the western world was the first to systematically carry my laurels to their countries and bequeathed to me the status of “superfood.” This happened as early as the 20^th century, you can say around the 1960s.

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Vegan India! – That’s so wonderful, we are so honoured and lucky to have you! Why do you call yourself “versatile?”

Versatile Tofu – Always remember this, your creativity makes me versatile. Versatility is my name if creativity is your game. I am in a stage of evolution where I do not seek anything for myself, I do not desire anything. I have stepped back and truly become a blank slate and I offer myself to you – you, the Humans of Earth to create anything you want from me. You have me, you know everything about me, you can make your choices – whether you choose me and how you take the best out of me – therein lies your existential challenge.

Are YOU ready to give the paneer business a run for their money or…

Always remember this, your creativity makes me versatile. Versatility is my name if creativity is your game.

Versatile Tofu

Vegan India! – Errr Versatile Tofu, sorry to interrupt here, but can you make this concept clearer in simpler words….

Versatile Tofu – Take for example you are impacted by the cruelties in the dairy industry and in your country where dairy is flowing in abundance, you want to make a change. Where do you start? Well, I offer to you the alternative.

You can choose to adopt me and ditch dairy. You can choose to take the best out of me and use me in a variety of ways and in this way, set examples, you know lead by example? Let me give you a real-life example.

There is this vegan from one of your cities working in one of those tall building who sautés me and dresses me in different sauces and takes me to her potlucks. Her mates are blown away by the fact how different I taste each time and all yum. They get introduced to me and the next time when they see me in a supermarket shelf, if their hands reach out for me and bring me home, that’s where the human race scores a point.

You know, this is philosophy and it is deep. Every human on Earth has to deal with their existential challenge. One common challenge is to reduce each individual’s cruelty footprints and increase your compassionate footprints.

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Vegan India! – Dear Tofu, what is your existential challenge….

Versatile Tofu – Mine is to work through you towards a day when you won’t see me as a “replacement” or an “alternative” but you treat me as just an addition to your ingredient list.

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Vegan India! – Amen to that thought Tofu. Can you give some tips on how one can creatively use you to bring out your versatility?

Versatile Tofu – Well, in your country, it is a no brainer. Really. Start by replacing me in all your dishes where you use paneer. Rename your dishes. Palak Tofu, Masala Tofu, Tofu Bhurji, Tofu Pulao, Shahi Tofu, Mattar Tofu, Tofu Tikka Masala, Tofu Paratha, Tofu Kofta, Tofu Pakora… you get the drift?

When you use me in all these dishes, I recommend you lightly sauté to a nice light brown color or marinate me. Dress me in cashew paste, peanut paste – most Indian vegans usually love me seen with cashew and peanuts.

Use fresh coriander leaves to garnish my dishes, use sprinklings of pepper and rock salt.

Among the vegetables, I am compatible with many – onions, tomatoes, spinach, capsicum, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower – are my picks.

Besides, you can fry bits of me and put them into your soups or slice thin square chunks and put in your burgers. Depending on the recipe, you can keep me smooth, soft, crispy, or crunchy!

I was watching one of my followers combine and sauté me with bits of sweet potato in olive oil and the family loved it. Get creative, that’s the bottom line.

Another follower marinated me with mint-coriander paste and various Indian spices such as turmeric, coriander powder, and cumin powder and kept me overnight in the refrigerator. The following day when he pan fried me, he reported me to have acquired a “fishy” taste. Well if tasting like a fish can save fishes, what can be better than that [rolls eyes].

Some restaurants have experimented with me in using me for various Indian sweet dishes such as Rus-gulla and Rus-malai and these are ongoing experiments. Guys, your challenge is to figure out how to use me to replicate the exact taste and texture of your sweet dishes or go ahead (!!) invent new ones altogether!

I also go very well with soya sauce if you are seeking East Asian flavors in your palette. The Western Vegans, I would say have used me in a large number of innovative ways. In fact you will find me in their stores not only as white blocks but also in blocks with various spices and flavoured, and smoked. From Quiches to Mousse, I figure pretty much in every vegan’s plate.

Start by replacing me in all your dishes where you use paneer. Rename your dishes. Palak Tofu, Masala Tofu, Tofu Bhurji, Tofu Pulao, Shahi Tofu, Mattar Tofu, Tofu Tikka Masala, Tofu Paratha, Tofu Kofta, Tofu Pakora… you get the drift?

Versatile Tofu

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Vegan India! – That’s so awesome! Now coming to a sticky question – in some quarters you are still regarded with distrust and suspicion. So Versatile Tofu, if you are so good, why do some people regard you with skepticism?

Versatile Tofu – First of all, this is not a sticky question. A big change will always be followed by big questions. I would have been surprised had there been no controversies!

Humans never ask questions when gulping down animal milk. Most humans get insecure when something they have acquired as a legacy and got used to as part of conditioning, is challenged by something that calls for questioning ideas and habits they hold dear.

In addition, there are lobbies of vested interests backed by big money in whose interest it is that you don’t change. They send out energies of skepticism and try to confuse you. Because they are humans too, they are insecure too; if you change, they probably will have to change too. You see?

So what does one do? Stick to Science. Stick to rationality.

Look, I am an excellent source of high-quality protein. Logically, I would be useful for growing children, endurance sportspeople who need muscle mass, and anyone who has the requirement for proteins for whatever reasons.

Indian vegan food has enough proteins for everyone’s need already. Have you heard of anyone dying from protein deficiency? Yes, many people the world over die from starvation because they don’t have enough to eat. Isn’t that something you should be concerned with that in your Earth, while there are people who eat more than they really need to, there are those who have nothing to eat? Shouldn’t there be parity?

Coming back to your question, I am not only about proteins. In the past two decades there have been hundreds of physicians committed to Science, who have studied the numerous nutritional benefits I bring. If you have managed to get confused, read up their studies.

One of the many who fascinates me is Dr. Michael Greger who also runs a non-profit website called NutritionFacts.org. Read up on what he has to say about my roots in his podcast The Benefits of Soy. You can also look up the “benefits of tofu” in your Internet.

Indian vegan food has enough proteins for everyone’s need already. Have you heard of anyone dying from protein deficiency? Yes, many people the world over die from starvation because they don’t have enough to eat. Isn’t that something you should be concerned with…

Versatile Tofu

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Vegan India! – So what you are saying is that people must arm themselves with information from verifiable sources instead of depending on heresy. That makes sense. Now we are curious to know, being a Plant, how you react to people who argue that plants also have life, by eating them you are killing them….

Versatile Tofu – First, don’t call this an argument, it is nothing more than an “excuse” by the humans on Earth who fear to make the change.

Yes, as a Plant, I have life, if I didn’t have life, you would be eating plastic! But if my life form is seen as alike to the life form of a non human animal, in that case, dear Humans of Earth, why should you guys express horror at cannibalism?

These questions should be ignored, even if you get into a lengthy discussion about the difference in the nature of sentience of plants and animals, yet, humans who have decided to be plant rights activist but continue to destroy animals, will remain unmoved.

My suggestion is, focus on making the best use of what you have, you have me, become a Tofu ninja perhaps [laughter]?

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Vegan India! – Ha, ha well said, Tofu Ninja indeed! One last question, Versatile Tofu. What is your gender – male, female, the third gender, or are you genderless…

Versatile Tofu – None. Well you see, I am a concept ingredient. I am more than a gender. After 2000 years of birth, I have finally come full circle, my true purpose has been revealed to me, revealed to your world.

Although I was born in East Asia and remained as an ingredient in their regular food for the longest time, but now in the New Age, I have crossed boundaries to acquire the status of the deliverer of justice for the milch animals of this Earth. Me along with the other Plants who can produce milk, have the potential to replace dairy.

As a concept, my purpose does not need to have a gender. Speaking up for the other plants, they are genderless too.

I will add that I uphold the feminine values that have the potential to change the world – I will sum up these values in three words – empathy, empathy, empathy.

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Vegan India! – So… are you a feminist?

Versatile Tofu – Well, if you think working to realize the power within and aspiring for a time when there will be no violence on any being, regardless of their species, is being feminist, then you can call me one (chuckles).

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After our interview with Versatile Tofu, we headed straight to Health Zingo and ordered all the Tofu dishes on the menu…

Also read: Tofu and Soybean Myths: Dismantling the Soyaphobia