013: AIR FRYER: CHIPOTLE MAPLE TOFU KEBAB

🌲 Chipotle Maple Tofu Kebab — The Smoke & Honey Scroll

Archetype: The Hearth Ranger — campfire calm, amber sweetness, trail-smoke courage.

💡 Why This Works

Chipotle’s gentle smoke + maple’s warm sweetness make a sticky, balanced glaze. The air fryer crisps tofu so the sauce lacquers like campfire caramel.

⚡ Energy & Time

• Active: 10–12 min • Total: 25–35 min (incl. press)
• Effort: Low (RPE 3/10)
• Gear: Air fryer (default), skewers optional, small saucepan

🎭 Flavor & Mood

Smoky, gently spicy, maple-amber — autumn cookout vibes with weeknight ease.

🥣 What It Is

Firm tofu cubes, lightly crisped, tossed in a chipotle–maple–lime glaze, then flashed to set a glossy mahogany coat.

🧾 Ingredients (serves 2)

• Tofu: 14 oz (400 g) firm tofu, pressed 20–30 min, cut into 1 in / 2.5 cm cubes
• Crisp Coat: 1 tsp (5 ml) oil • 1–1½ tsp (3–5 g) cornstarch • ¼ tsp salt • black pepper
• Chipotle–Maple Glaze: 1–2 tsp minced chipotle in adobo (+ 1 tsp adobo sauce) • 2 tbsp (30 ml) maple syrup • 1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce or tamari • 1 tbsp (15 ml) lime juice • 1 tsp (5 ml) apple cider vinegar • 1 tsp (5 ml) oil • 1 small garlic clove, grated
• Finish: Chopped cilantro or chives • lime wedges • flaky salt (optional)
• Veg (optional): Red onion petals • bell pepper chunks • zucchini rounds for skewers

✍️ Method (Air Fryer default)

1. Prep & coat: Pat tofu dry. Toss with oil, cornstarch, salt, pepper. Skewer with veg if desired.
2. Air fry (crisp): Preheat to 380°F / 193°C for 3 min. Arrange in a single layer on parchment/foil sling. Cook 10–12 min, shaking/turning at 6 min, until lightly golden.
3. Make glaze: In a small pan, warm chipotle, adobo, maple, soy/tamari, lime, vinegar, oil, garlic for 1–2 min until glossy. Too thick? Whisk in 1–2 tsp hot water.
4. Glaze & set: Toss hot tofu in glaze, then return to fryer 1–2 min to lacquer.
5. Serve: Scatter herbs, squeeze lime, finish with a pinch of flaky salt if you like.

🌿 Maker’s Notes

• Heat control: Use 1 tsp chipotle for mild, 2+ tsp for campfire bold.
• Extra bark: Add ½ tsp brown sugar to glaze for deeper caramel edges.
• Other devices: Oven 425°F / 220°C 15–18 min (flip once), toss in glaze, broil 30–60 sec. Grill med-high 8–10 min; brush glaze and sear 30 sec per side.

📦 Storage & Reheat

• Refrigerate up to 2 days. Reheat 350°F / 175°C for 3–4 min; brush a touch of glaze to revive shine.

📜 Lore / Origin

Chipotle is smoke remembered; maple is the tree’s quiet sun. Together they taste like a trail at dusk — steady embers, sweet air, footprints of warmth.

🌺 Benefits

• Plant protein: steady, satisfying fuel
• Low-oil caramelization: lacquer without deep frying
• Balanced comfort: smoky-sweet, citrus-bright

🧭 Self-Score to 100

• Flavor Balance: 20/20
• Ease & Gadget Efficiency: 20/20
• Texture & Authenticity: 20/20
• Time & Cleanup: 20/20
• Mythic Resonance: 20/20

Total: 100/100 — Campfire smoke, amber shine.