September 19, 2008

Ginger and Orange Tofu Pudding

first

How many times have I cut my finger while prepping food, the count is tipping over, I don't even want to remember. I am sure this is a tale of woe that I share with a lot of you.
I have tried the Rachel Ray's tip of curling the fingers in while holding the vegetable or fruit or whatever. Didn't work. Somehow the fingers seems to stretch out every now and then. And right at the nick of time the knife finds the finger. Ouch!
I have tried the finger guard, I require a whale of a motivation to make me wear that piece of silicone. It just seems to come in the way of the finger and the knife. (That is the whole point, duh! I know... but somehow my fingers don't seem to like it)
Finally, I am realizing that I don't have the proper knife skills. I use a chef's knife, but lack the technique.
They recommend using a really sharp knife. As weird as it may sound, it is apparently the key to not cutting your fingers... the argument being dull knives slide down the surface and instead of cutting the vegetable/fruit, they end up cutting the finger. Makes sense to me.
Secondly, keep the fingers as far away from the knife as possible when holding the veggies.
Thirdly, use a sliding movement and use as little pressure as possible, and let the sharp knife do the work for you.
And last, cut waxy vegetables from the inside so the knife gets a better grip on the surface.

And why am I talking about such a boring subject now, no reason... this recipe does not involve a knife, and I am glad!

Let us dish it out now... The combination of ginger, orange and tofu together has been one of my favorite in side dishes, noodles or rice dishes that is served in Asian restaurants.
I have tried to take those three distinct flavors and marry them together in a dessert this time around. It is simple, quick and has a unique taste. If you are apprehensive about it, make it in small quantities first to see if the taste and texture is something your taste buds enjoy.

Ginger and Orange Tofu Pudding

Ingredients:

Silken tofu - 1 pack
Whipping cream - 2 tbsp
Orange zest - 1/2 tsp
Ginger - 1/4 tsp (finely grated or ground)
Molasses - 3-4 tbsp (Adjust according to taste)
Vanilla essence - 1/4 tsp
Ginger snaps/cookies - 1 cup broken into smaller pieces

Method:

Beat the whipping cream with a hand blender till fluffy. Then add the already smoothed out tofu and mix till creamy.

Now add the orange zest, ginger, molasses and vanilla and mix just until incorporated.

Add the tofu pudding and crushed ginger cookies alternating in a serving bowl or glass cup.

Top with a little orange zest and cookies on top.

last

This goes to Lore's Original recipe event

40 comments:

  1. WOW......What a creative recipe sounds very tasty and yummy.Pics are drooling.

    ReplyDelete
  2. wow! the click is a whopper. will try this out but make it in smaller quantities first since tofu generally goes down with a grumble in my hubby dear's throat :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. wow.. nice combi.. looks yummy & delicious.. really mouth watering...Nice click... thxs for sharing..

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a lovely picture and recipe. Really original.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful..Btw, what can be a good substitute for molasses?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Divya, that looks awesome...I am sure it must've tasted great..and yes there is an art for chopping..hehe...maybe the knife finds your fingers far pretty than the veggies eh?..:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mmmmmmm...yummy!

    Divya, I used to be that person - bruising my fingers while chopping. it's gotten a lot better these days.
    Would using a food processor help you? Mine is a live-in model[DH]. ;) Maybe you could ask yours to become one?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great read on the knife finding your fingers :)

    Very innovative recipe I must say!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. and not to forget peeling ur finger skin instead of vegetable;)
    forget abt all that and give me that glass witha spoon... heaven...

    ReplyDelete
  10. Take care of those fingers :-)...the pudding looks absolutely yummy :-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. divya dear the pics looks perfect,thx for adding my blog to ur site

    ReplyDelete
  12. haha.. totally agree w/ u on cutting your fingers part... Even I cant seem to avoid it at all!! And not to forget the grater... I have grated my fingers a zillion times as well!!!!
    the pudding looks delicious! lovely pic

    ReplyDelete
  13. You seem to be more engrossed in cooking that you don`t mind your fingers. Nice click and recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Such a lovely pudding ! I haven't tasted silken-tofu but the photo is really inviting. On the knife part I have a cutting board and knife attached to it doing a prety good job! Its simple coordination between both of u're hands and moving them together in 2 diff directions! If possible ive a try and u won't turn to anyother cutting equipments!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow Div, the pudding triffle is just awesome :)
    I guess the knive likes only Non-Veg :) he he "Kadi joke"

    ReplyDelete
  16. lovely combination.must be tasting delicious..love the picture.. and yes, they are my paintings.. but im not a professional. paintings is my hobby..

    ReplyDelete
  17. Cham - Why didn't I think of naming it trifle! Kadi joke thaanga mudila! :)

    Nirmala - Thanks for the suggestion of knife fitted with the cutting board. Will look for it the next time I am at the store.

    Srivalli & Cilantro - Trust me... My fingers have no love affair with the knife, it just is after me for some reason!

    Kay - Oh! And how did I forget to write about the food processor. It just doesn't give me that perfection I expect. But I do use it out of mercy for my fingers every now and then.

    Sowmya - Honey has the same texture as molasses, but not the same flavor. Another option would be brown sugar for taste, but doesn't have the same texture. You could try with maybe both, or try melting the jaggery till you have a slightly gooey consistency and try using it. Or just plain old sugar syrup. Hope that helps.

    All others welcome to the club! Chopping fingers, nails and skin off for the love of cooking. Very few can boast of doing that! Hurray to all the foodies!

    ReplyDelete
  18. nice recipe and layers are looking very pretty.

    Chakali

    ReplyDelete
  19. Divya,

    Welcome to the gang. Its very common for me to be a victim to the knife. I have improved but now I always get marks all over my hands when I bake.Thanks to the oven. :) dont worry you will get used to it.

    ReplyDelete
  20. hm,love at first sight!
    Loved ur blog, will surely add to my blog list.. See u again D, :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Am already drooling over the pic Divya..Love the addition of ginger snaps..

    ReplyDelete
  22. I know what you mean about the knife...I am a little better with the knife now but recently I keep getting burnt..I cannot decide which is worse...anyway loved your recipe...this is so very creative and pics are looking awesome...loved the backdrop too....

    ReplyDelete
  23. lovely recipe! Orange and tofu...would have never thunk it.

    I have to be the "clutz-knife-wielding-queen" of all times. Not only have I have managed to drive a nine-inch blade into my hand (resulting in six very painful stitches) but, nick my finger, as most people breathe. Just comes so naturally to me! The whole curling-finger routine does nothing for me as well!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Divya..a lovely post...poor finger!!! :) thats all i can say ....luved ur recipe and pic...tofu n ginger ...a great combo...i am very sure madhuram will love it..

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow! Looks beautiful! And a cool presentation too:)

    ReplyDelete
  26. this combo sound great!! Yummy recipe:)

    ReplyDelete
  27. I had the same problem for very long time...now a days spared :)..recipe looks yummy..gud one and nice pic too

    ReplyDelete
  28. loved the layering idea......looks perfect for me.....

    ReplyDelete
  29. wow! mouth drooling recipe! that looks really nice!

    ReplyDelete
  30. divya dear u have tagged at
    http://fooddamaka.blogspot.com/2008/09/karam-chutney.html

    ReplyDelete
  31. Perfect.Love the layers.Looks delicious

    ReplyDelete
  32. wow looking pudding.. iam so so tempted ya...

    ReplyDelete
  33. Sigh..I'm so cutting-skills-challenged that I can't believe it myself sometimes! Must admit that I'm quite lazy on the whole sharping knives part *blush*
    Your pudding sounds quite fragrant, I wish I could taste it!
    Thanks for sharing it with Original Recipes

    ReplyDelete
  34. what a delicious idea! looks awesome Divya!

    ReplyDelete
  35. hi divya
    thanks for passing by my blog....and i feel happy to have discovered yours..you have wonderful blog and the post are great. this latest post on pudding especially with ginger and orange tofu is nice...simply loved it 1

    ReplyDelete
  36. ame story withme .. i have cut my fingers a million times ..pudding looks delish divya ...

    ReplyDelete
  37. a great recipe with silken tofu! I could never imagine using tofu in sweet things and the last time my efforts to make something with silken tofu were a flop. But, this one is just superb! Yum yum yum!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Add you as a follower of my blog so that my recipes will be right away in ur dashboard itself!
    join in the chicken event going in my blog!

    ReplyDelete
  39. as simple as you make it appear it sure sounds super delicious! :P mmmmmm

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment on this post. I will try to respond to queries as soon as I can. If I miss anything that needs to be addressed... please feel free to ping me again.
Happy cooking/baking or whatever it is you are doing in the kitchen! :)