Down Home "Barbecued" Tofu
Source: New Soy Cookbook : Tempting Recipes for Soybeans, Soy Milk, Tofu, Tempeh, Miso and Soy Sauce by Lorna Sass

We all need a zesty recipe to perk us up on weary weekday night, preferably one that requires little preparation, cooks quickly, and doesn’t necessitate a stop at the supermarket on the way home, "barbecued" tofu fulfills all of these practical criteria. There’s nothing subtle, elegant, or sophisticated about these tasty squares, but they can be thrown together and broiled in about ten minutes, and they always taste good. Extra-firm tofu will give you the best results. Leftovers make great sandwiches, garnished with thinly sliced tomato and red onion. Since the flavors mellow slightly after refrigeration, you might also like to add a smear of mustard. Down -home “barbecued” tofu

i pound block extra-firm tofu, drained
2 generous tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 generous tablespoons ketchup
1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons shoyu / soy sauce(depending upon desired saltiness)
1 large clove garlic, peeled and pushed through a press
2 teaspoons blackstrap molasses
1 teaspoons toasted Asian sesame oil
1 to 2 teaspoons chipotle in adobo or 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle chili (see note) or cayenne pepper
freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Wrap the tofu in several layers of a clean, absorbent kitchen towel and set a 1-pound bag of dried beans on top, Set the tofu aside until you are ready to slice it.

Line a broiling pan or baking sheet with aluminum foil. Set aside. Place the oven rack about 5 inches from the broiling element, and turn on the broiler.

In a pie plate or large, shallow bowl, prepare the barbecue sauce by blending together the remaining ingredients.

Unwrap the tofu and set the block on a cutting board with the longer side facing you. Cut the block crosswise into 9 slices, each slightly less than 1/2 inch thick. Dip the slices into the sauce to coat both sides heavily. Arrange the slices on the broiling pan as you work. (Reserve any remaining sauce.)

Broil the tofu until flecked with dark brown spots, 4 to 6 minutes. (If your broiler cooks unevenly, rotate the broiling pan halfway through.) Turn the tofu over with a spatula and slather any remaining sauce on the second side with a pastry brush or knife. Broil until deeply browned on the second side, 4 to 6 more minutes. Serve with the darker side up.

Note: Chipotles in adobe is a thick paste of chipotles, vinegar. onions, garlic, and spices Look for it in Hispanic groceries and gourmet shops. Chipotle chilies are dried jalapenos that impart a hot, smoky flavor. They may be purchased from gourmet shops either whole or ground To grind your own. stem and seed the chili, snip it into bits, and grind the bits to a powder In a spice grinder.

Servings: 3 or 4