Now before you go thinking that's some Mexican dish you never heard of, it's not. While it is indeed an actual Spanish word (it's the past participle of "sofreir" meaning "to fry lightly"), Chipotle has filed a trademark registration for the word as a mark for "prepared vegetable-based entrees." There's a bit of irony there since the tofu will be braised and not fried. There's also the similar "sofrito" which is a base of slow-fried or simmered aromatics in Spanish cuisine.
I'm curious as to how they arrived at the term. What's wrong with just calling it "tofu" like they have "steak" and "chicken."
The tofu will be braised with tomatoes, chipotle sauce, and poblano peppers. Compare that to the barbacoa which is beef braised with chipotle pepper adobo sauce, cumin, cloves, garlic, and oregano.
If the test goes well, expect it to expand to other markets. If successfully added to the menu, tofu would be Chipotle's second vegetarian option after their "Vegetarian" option which features vegetarian black beans and guacamole for protein.
Update 2/2/13: Sofritas will be served at the following SF Bay area Chipotle locations starting February 12, 2013: : 525 Market in San Francisco; 121 Fourth St. in San Francisco; 126 New Montgomery in San Francisco; 2019 Chess Drive in San Mateo; 251 East 3rd Ave. in San Mateo; 180 El Camino Real in Palo Alto; and 135 El Camino Real in Millbrae.
The supplier for the tofu is Hodo Soy, a local supplier known for their organic and artisanally produced tofu.
Here's a look at Sofritas if you're curious:
Update 5/21/13: Sofritas will be offered at all California locations starting June 3
All food has a lot of protein, you know.
ReplyDeleteThis article mentions it in the second paragraph:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complete_protein
"I'm curious as to how they arrived at the term. What's wrong with just calling it 'tofu' like they have 'steak' and 'chicken.'"
ReplyDeleteBecause it turns meat eaters off. I work in a sandwhich shop and we offer a soy chicken patty. We also use our own name for it, and when people ask what it's made of and we say soy, their faces light up with disgust and and they decline to hear anything good about the product. Then they promptly order a heavy meat sandwich covered in mayonnaise and cheese. Unfortunate.
Maybe I'll give them another try if the tofu option makes it out to Jersey. Til then, I'll stick with Moe's as my place to get tofu burritos.
ReplyDelete