Tofu: A question.

JessieR933

For those of you who have used it in cooking before.

How do you prepare it? 

Any tips?  

darkling_glory

If you're buying a firm/extra-firm tofu to use in stir-fries or something like that, it's super easy. 

Take the tofu out of the package and drain the water. Place it on top of a clean kitchen towel lined with a paper towel. Put a plate on top (or a baking sheet) and then put something heavy on top of that. Do something else for 20 minutes.

You want the water to get smushed out leaving you with a much firmer tofu that is perfect for pan frying or baking. You want to do this before you marinade, too. That way the extra liquid gets out before you attempt to put more liquid in.

I really enjoy panfrying. But I also like to dredge it in flour and soymilk and then some panko or breadcrumbs and bake it. I slice it into strips about the size of chicken nuggets. You can also fry/fry it in lots of canola oil if you want.

Pressed tofu (at the Asian market) is great in salads or in sandwiches.

Silken tofu is used in a lot of desserts. I make a great silken tofu chocolate pudding. So yum!

Hope this helps! 

wtsupbuttercup

Tofu takes on the flavor of whatever you put it in. I like to bake it with bbq sauce, or scramble it like eggs with lots of seasoning and onions and garlic. just make sure you really drain it before you start cooking, otherwise there will be a lot of water in your food. 

JessieR933

Cool, thanks ladies. I got the extra firm and pressing the water out now. I am going to put it a stir fry tonight. So I hope I do it right. I did grilled it once and that rocked. 

gregslittlewifey

I also use it as a replacement for cheese on pizza, in lasagne, etc. Just press it dry and crumble it up.

JessieR933

gregslittlewifey:

I also use it as a replacement for cheese on pizza, in lasagne, etc. Just press it dry and crumble it up.

That is fantastic. I never heard of such a thing.  

gregslittlewifey

JessieR933:

gregslittlewifey:

I also use it as a replacement for cheese on pizza, in lasagne, etc. Just press it dry and crumble it up.

That is fantastic. I never heard of such a thing.  

This is pretty close to how I make it: http://www.veggienerd.com/2012/01/vegan-pizza-with-tofu-ricotta.html

...plus whatever veggies I have for toppings. I also put some fresh rosemary in the dough.

JessieR933

Thanks!

RideTheLightning

Confession: I have never had tofu, except in the miso soup at the hibachi. I've never even laid eyes on it in any other form. I'm supposed to be increasing my protein intake, so I should try it, but I'm afraid of it.

conradtn

Glad you asked this because DH and I are still trying to figure tofu out.

JessieR933

conradtn:

Glad you asked this because DH and I are still trying to figure tofu out.

I figured these ladies would be the best to ask. 

jadeorchid21

I have cut it up in cubes and placed it in the skillet with curry powder, cardamon powder, cumin, turmeric, onion and made curry with it and the flavor seeps right on through. But, of course I cut the package open and drained the water out.

I have used it in place of ricotta cheese in a great lasagna recipe.

Cut it up in cubes and added it to Indian simmer sauce with veggies and over warm brown rice. (nummy nummy)

I have yet to do it but take the silken tofu and mix it in with cocoa, agave nectar and avocado and make chocolate muffins. (hmmmmmm.)

Can be substituted for eggs by making a scramble.

I also seen a recipe for kung pao sliders in vegetarian times magazine. Nom nom!

(thanks a lot! I am hungry again! LOL!)