Tofu is a blank canvas for recipes, such as crispy tofu tacos and tofu stir-fries.
This guide will teach you what it is and how to use it in recipes.
But they don’t have to be.
Photo: Jason Donnelly
What Is Tofu?
To make tofu, soybeans and water are processed to make soy milk.
Then the soy milk is simmered with coagulants to separate out the curds.
Finally, the curds are strained and then pressed into the blocks you see at the supermarket.
Tofu’s relatively mild flavor makes the culinary possibilities virtually endless.
It even mimicsscrambled eggs.
What Are the Different Kinds of Tofu?
There are several types of tofu.
The most common are extra-firm, firm, medium, soft and silken.
If cooked correctly, these types of tofu have texture and taste that’s similar to meat.
Medium tofufalls between these two categories and can hold up to some gentler methods like marinating or baking.
It can also be incorporated into desserts like silken and soft tofu.
Is Tofu Good for You?
In addition to protein, tofu is a rich source of fiber, iron, calcium and more.
It also contains much less saturated fat than many animal protein sources.
And it’s low in calories and happens to be cholesterol-free, gluten-free and dairy-freegood news for those followinggluten-freeorvegandiets.
As if the health benefits weren’t compelling enough, tofu is also very budget-friendly.
it’s possible for you to find tofu for less than $5 a pound.
This makes tofu an inexpensive choice for adding a filling, flavorful protein to your meals.
This will allow it to soak up a marinade and crisp up more effectively during cooking.
Here’s how to do it.
Cut a 14- to 16-ounce block of tofu crosswise into 8 equal pieces.
Place a clean kitchen towel on a baking sheet.
Place the tofu on the towel in a single layer; cover with another towel.
Place another baking sheet on top and weight it with two 28-ounce cans.
Let stand for 1 to 4 hours.
confirm to flip the tofu or gently toss it halfway through marinating to keep it coated evenly.
Try this technique in our recipe forSoy-Lime Roasted Tofu.
The heat will sear the outside of the tofu upon contact, providing an even chewier texture.
Bake in the oven for an additional 5 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway, for extra-crispy pieces.
Otherwise, it’s possible for you to just start grilling.
Refer to the recipe for how high to heat the grill and how long to cook the tofu.
You’re looking for nice grill marks all over.
How to Stir-Fry Tofu
When stir-frying tofu, it helps to be gentle with it.
This ensures that the tofu gets nicely browned and crispy but stays intact.
Try this method in ourRoasted Tofu & Broccoli with Peanut-Curry Saucerecipe.Tofu can also be broiled.
After just 12 minutes and one flip, the air-fried tofu cubes will be crispy and ready to eat.
