How do you like you Tofu?

Question

In an effort to try to eat healthier, I bough tofu on my last trip to the market. After getting home I realize I have NO CLUE how to prepare tofu! I know it can replace a ton of things but I would love to know how you make your tofu...Recipes I can try would be AWESOME!!! I have firm and extra firm tofu! I will be voting best answer AFTER I try the recipes! Thank you!!!!

Answer 1

I'm on the same kick. I haven't ventured to buy the blocks of tofu but have bought meatless items such as Boca Burgers and Amy's taco "meat". Both of these items were really good and enjoyed by my beef-eating boyfriend as well.

But I would like to stear you away from the tofu spagetti noodles. They are very chewy and just plain FUNKY.

A good cookbook for you would be Hungry Girl by Lillian. Great recipes for the most part. Be ware of the fiber crust pizza though. :)

Answer 2

I grill tofu and put it in rice, noodles or stir fries. Sometimes I marinate it with yoghurt, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt and herbs and grill it either on bbq or in the oven. It tastes yummy!

Answer 3

Personally, I like it either marinated and baked, or deep fried.

Answer 4

There are literally a million ways to prepare tofu!

Here's a great recipe site: just find something that looks nummy and try it out!

http://www.vegweb.com

Answer 5

I freeze my tofu (actually store it in the freezer) to give it a chewier texture.  You can find details on how to do that in my profile.  Tofu is amazingly versatile.  You can invent your own marinade and bake or an herb crust and fry.

I have two good recipes:

Lemon Crusted Tofu with Capers from VegWeb{ http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=10755....

However, I add all the veggies at the very end.

And this Herb Crusted Tofu with Mushroom Gravy from RecipeZaar: http://www.recipezaar.com/154330

Happy cooking!

Answer 6

Kung Pao Tofu Recipe

* 1 block tofu, firm

* 1 tablespoon peanut or olive oil

* 1 cup hoisin sauce

* 1/2 cup soy sauce

* 1 tablespoon Sambal Oelek (chili and garlic sauce)

* 1 tablespoon Spicy Bean Paste (Korean hot sauce)

* 1/2 cup red wine vinegar

* 1/2 cup sugar (optional)

* 1/2 cup carrot, small diced

* 1/2 cup onion, small diced

* 1/2 cup red bell pepper, small diced

* 1/2 cup zucchini, small diced

* 1 tablespoon peanut or olive oil

* 1/4 cup macadamia nuts or peanuts

Place the water packed tofu in the freezer overnight. Using tofu that has been frozen first will give this dish a meatier feel. Freezing makes the texture of tofu chewier, which resembles chicken. Thaw the tofu by leaving it out all day or in the microwave for a few minutes. Once thawed, squeeze the tofu between your hands over a bowl to catch all the water that will come out. It will feel like squeezing a sponge dry. The more water you get out, the more the tofu will absorb the flavors of the sauce. Slice the tofu in to bite-sized cubes and fry in the peanut oil until golden brown. Set aside.

Next, make the Kung Pao sauce. Combine all the sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well, then set aside. Adjust the sauce to your taste by adding more hot sauce if you want the sauce to be hotter, and less sugar to take away some sweetness.

Cut all the vegetables into same size pieces so that they will cook evenly. You can use all your favorite vegetables, these are just a suggestion. In a sauté pan heat the peanut oil and sauté the vegetables. Just be sure to add the thicker ones, like carrots, first and let cook for two minutes. Then the onion and bell peppers for another two minutes. Add delicate vegetables like zucchini last and only cook briefly or they will get mushy and lose vitamins. Add the golden tofu cubes and mix gently. Now add the sauce, a little at a time, until you get the desired coating. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes to reduce the sauce and thicken it. For the final touch, sprinkle with macadamia nuts for a truly local flair, or peanuts. Serve over jasmine rice and enjoy!

Answer 7

Fried tofu is my absolute favorite! I don't have it that often (b/c it's fried) but it's SO delish!

I know you said that you wanted a healthy way to prepare it and that's obviously not it. (lol)

I also like eating it pan seared after I've drained and marinated it over night in the refrigerator. I usually cut it into strips or cubes, cook it in a bit of oil and throw it in a stir fry.

Good luck and welcome to the wonderful world of tofu.

Answer 8

fried or the sweet stuff for desert. i also like soy chorizo for breakfast

Answer 9

I am a vegetarian, but to be honest...I've never tried it before! :P