Tofu Lady at Grand St.

Without the subway, I would be so out of it. Due to the advertising everywhere, I see what's being pushed by the networks on tv (the new animal planet logo is stupid!), or release dates for movies (can't wait to see Stop Loss on March 28). This morning on the subway, there was a huge swarm of kids wearing green mad hatter caps and teeshirts that said "I shamrock beer." I forgot that it was St. Patrick's Day. All I could think about was, I wish I could eat dinner at mom's because she'll make corned beef and cabbage tonight. Then I struggled with the metro card machine. Not only have the prices increased, but my credit card wasn't swiping.
Anyway, without the subway, I never would have noticed my current food obsession. Outside of the D train stop at Grand St, there's a woman literally wearing several hats (well, in the winter) who sells hot fresh tofu. Cut into long rectangles, the firmer stuff sells for a buck for 2 long blocks. It's great because it's fresh and it's not stored in that gross water like at the grocery store. But what I'm crazy about is the silken tofu that she sells from a huge pot in a grocery cart. When she slides off the lid, the steam hits your face as she quickly spoons out either a small (1.25) or large (2.00) soup tub size, dumps a little container of sugar syrup and a spoon into a plastic bag and shoves you away. Seriously, she's really fast and kind of stern. I haven't bothered taking her picture because I know she'd get pissed. Her daughter has a more gentle disposition, but I've only seen her twice on the weekend.
Martha Stewart went to another soft tofu place on Mott St. years ago and I remember her saying something like, "Oh, it's like creme caramel" or something fancy like that. I got the impression she didn't really like it, but who can tell. I'm sure she craved it when she was in the slammer. The consistency is sort of creamy like flan, but the taste is really plain. Some people complain soybean products are beany, but with the syrup, it's not an issue. It's simply comfort food. On a cold day, there's nothing better than the smooth warmth going down. It'd be great on a sore throat because you don't even have to chew it, you can just kind of inhale it and it's got to be so nutritious. Check out the link for the other tofu place. The photos are great. I prefer the tofu lady's product, though. She is able to sell for cheaper (no rent!) and I've been reusing the same tub. The tofu man on Mott St. uses styrofoam, but he also sells soymilk which is great in coffee.