Chef's Corner: Now Taking Requests!
by
Bonnie Shuman, Weavers Way Executive Chef
Tofu and Chickpea Curry Stew
- 1 block fresh tofu (about 1 lb.), cubed
- 2 15-oz. cans chickpeas
- 2 15-oz. cans coconut milk (tree-nut allergen)
- 1/2 lb. carrots, peeled, medium-diced
- 1 lb. Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, medium diced
- 1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
- 1 large sweet onion, large-diced
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 3 heaping tbls. curry powder
- 2 tsp. brown sugar
- 4 tbls. coconut oil
- Salt to taste
- Optional, for garnish: chopped scallions, chopped cilantro
Heat oil over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Add diced onion and carrot. Cook until onion is translucent and carrots are tender. Turn heat to low and add curry powder. Stir for a few minutes to toast the curry a bit. Add tomatoes, coconut milk, lime juice and brown sugar. Allow mixture to simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally. This allows the curry to mellow.
Meanwhile, roast the diced potatoes in a 350-degree oven until golden brown. When done, add to stew. Before serving, add cubed tofu and serve with garnishes if desired. (You can roast the tofu until golden brown before adding to the stew if you prefer a chewier texture, as I do.)
Serve with rice of your choice.
Wow — we’ve come a long way. As I said at our General Membership Meeting on Nov. 3, I recently marked my 15th year at Weavers Way — from rice cookers in the basement of Mt. Airy to overseeing a three-store culinary and deli program.
I can’t express enough my gratitude to our members and customers. To those of you I’ve known since those days working in the basement, to the new folks in Ambler, your kind words about how delicious our prepared foods are is a motivation to keep growing.
Speaking of Ambler, we are seeing that people seem to be looking for a different mix of prepared foods than what we sell in Chestnut Hill. Ambler folks, I encourage you to email me and let me know what you’re looking for. Our aim is to serve you with the highest quality food and to make your life a little easier when you don’t feel like cooking. I look forward to hearing from you!
Many of you requested the recipe for the Tofu and Chickpea Curry Stew we served at the General Membership Meeting. Thanks for all the compliments, and I am so glad you enjoyed it!