How do you eat your tofu?

Question

I'm a vegetarian(been one for 7 years) but I've never tried tofu. I'm thinking that it might be a good thing to add to my diet, so I would love to have some good recipes for it. Preferably something fairly simple though, as I am one of the worst cooks ever haha.

Answer 1

I don't use it very often, but when I do, I ALWAYS buy a non-genetically modified (non-GM or non-GMO)/organic brand. Soy is one of the most gemetically modified foods there is!
http://www.deliciousorganic.com/Controversies/GMFOODS.htm

I used some just recently in this pumpkin pie recipe and it was INCREDIBLE. It was super easy: http://www.bryannaclarkgrogan.com/page/page/1435893.htm#dessert (scroll down)

I also use it when I make stir fried rice to add flavor. I chop it into tiny pieces and marinate it for an hour or more. I use Trader Joe's vegetable fried frozen rice usually, just because it's so good. I marinate the tofu in Asian bbq sauce. I basically do the same thing for when I make stir fried veggies, except I'll leave the tofu in bigger chunks.

When I was in high school my best friend's parents (hippies) would just cut tofu in squares and let them sit in a bowl of soy sauce and snack on them throughout the day. I have no desire to recreate that dish (salty mush, basically).

Firm tofu is best if you're marinating the tofu and using it like some people might use meat, but use medium or soft if you're using it in recipes like a pie or a smoothie.

To get firm tofu to pick up flavoring very well you need to press it. Drain it first, then wrap it in some paper towels or a tea towel and set something on top of it like a heavy plate. Let it press for an hour or so (you can change the towels during that time if you want to speed things along). Once you've done that the tofu will suck up the flavor of whatever you're marinating it in or cooking it with MUCH better.

Remember that you can get plenty of protein from your grains and veggies so you don't have to go overboard on the tofu and other soy products (they can cause health problems for your thyroid if you overdo them). Moderation is key in everything!

Answer 2

Tofu is very bland / flavorless by itself. It absorbs the flavors of the spices and sauces that it's cooked with. Here's an easy recipe for tofu scramble: 1 box Mori-Nu silken firm tofu 1/8 tsp. turmeric 1 tsp. onion powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 cup of your favorite vegetables. I use red and yellow peppers. You can use broccoli, fresh mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, etc. First, take the tofu out of the box and wrap it in paper towels. Press down to get the moisture out. Put the tofu in a lightly oiled frying pan and mash it up. Cook over medium heat for 3 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, stir well, and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, until the vegetables are cooked and the tofu is heated through. Enjoy!

Answer 3

I LOVE tofu. This is even growing up with a mom who had no idea how to cook/prepare tofu. Tofu and Jello is ALWAYS bad. :X

My favorite way to have tofu:

Sauteed Tofu

1 box Extra firm tofu
1 TBS. canola or extra virgin olive oil
2 TBS. reduced sodium soy sauce (or to taste)
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. Wright's liquid smoke
garlic powder (to taste)

I press the tofu in the sink between a couple of plates with a heavy can on top, leave for a half hour or so. Heat oil in a skillet on medium heat, dice up tofu into 1/2 in to 1 inch (personal preference) and sautee. Tofu should be browned on all sides (it makes it chewy) before adding soy sauce, liquid smoke, and garlic. The soy sauce is for taste, but also it gives it some color, making it look more appealing than plain tofu. It's easy to add other spices, crushed thyme and rosemary, pepper, or whatever your preference is.

I've used this in spaghetti, with vegetables, garbanzos, and couscous, on pizza, in lasagna, and frequently in stir fry. Even my meat loving husband likes it a lot, and my sister thought it was chicken.

Answer 4

tofu or ta-hu in chinese has the distinct character of tasting whatever it is cooked with. Marinating it before cooking also helps. Understand that there are several types of tofu ( even a variety that is eaten as a dessert)so it might be confusing at first. Better, I think to get the firmer one to start and just marinate as if like a meat and cook or use as a meat substitute on traditional meat recipes. My wife makes "burger" patties with soybean curd (tofu) and finely chopped shiitake or porcini mushrooms. She uses eggs as a binder which you can replace with breadcrumbs if you don't eat eggs. Season and grill just like a beef burger. We are not vegetarians though but we do eat a good amount fo fruits and vegetables.

Answer 5

This is my favorite recipe. I leave out the mushrooms because I don't like them. I top it with salsa and eat it with hashbrowns or home fries and faux sausage for my weekend breakfast/brunch. You want to press your tofu first, but putting it between paper towels and stacking a couple heavy books on it; if you press it for an hour before adding it to the pan, there's very little moisture left in the tofu, which means it won't be mushy and it'll soak up the spices.

http://www.theppk.com/recipes/dbrecipes/index.php?RecipeID=110

Answer 6

I make "french toast" out of it.
Just buy the firm or extra firm tofu and slice it about 1/2 inch thick. Then put a little cinammon and sugar in a shallow bowl and dredge each piece of tofu in it.
Cook in a frying pan sprayed lightly with nonstick spray just like you would normal french toast.
This is the recipe I used to get my kids to eat tofu. It's a great way to ease into it.

Answer 7

well i myself love meat,but sometime i eat tofu in replace of it,but i eat it at this THAI RESTURANT,in this dish called PAD THAI.

its really good,but i ushually add meat to it so i dont only have the tofu because im not the biggest fan of it.I cooked it before,its:

-fried rice
-bean sprouts
-tofu
-chicken(but u wouldnt eat that)it doesnt need chicken,

it as other seasonings but really i wouldnt recommend you try making it,you should go to a Thai resturant and order it!its delicious!

Answer 8

With a fork.

I freeze my tofu for at least 24 hours (but you can store tofu in the freezer), then defrost and press for at leat 45 minutes. I usually saute my tofu in varioius seasonings--check www.vegweb.com or www.recipezaar.com for recipes. RecipeZaar is not all veg, but they have a decent vegetarian and vegan section.

Answer 9

I would put small cubes of it into a curry but i don't eat tofu much and it should be eaten in moderation as well but it would have to be a vegetarian curry of course for some people.

Answer 10

I get the Nasoya tofu cubes (already chopped up for you), brown them in olive oil and add them to one of those Thai Kitchen Thai Peanut dinners (they're vegan if you're worried about that - it says so on the box). Can't get much easier than that and even my cat likes it!