All About TOFU

What is TOFU?
Tofu, also known as bean curd and soy cheese, is a mild-tasting product made by curdling soymilk with a coagulant and pressing the curds into a block. There are several different forms of tofu. The most common are soft, firm, extra firm, and silken. Soft tofu is good in recipes calling for blended tofu, or to crumble over salads. Firm and extra firm tofu can be cut into cubes or slices and added to stir-fried vegetables or cooked on the grill. Silken tofu has a custard-like texture. It works well in smoothies and cream pies. There are also a number of pre-cooked tofu products on the market. Tofu can be used in both savory and sweet dishes because of its ability to take on other flavors. By itself, it's pretty bland, so marinade away!

How it’s made: By curdling fresh hot soymilk with a coagulant.
How it’s sold: It comes in five inch sized blocks, and you can buy it in four varieties: silken (used for creamy dishes), soft (great for soups), firm, and extra firm (the last two are great for stir fries). It's usually packaged in water to help it stay moist.
Appearance: White, smooth, and wet.
Consistency: Soft, smooth and spongy.
Flavor: Has hardly any taste on its own, but when added to recipes, takes on the flavor of whatever you're making.

Ideas for Using Tofu:

1. Marinated. Slice the firm tofu in 1/2 x 1" pieces, marinate in soy sauce 5 minutes, then fry both sides til crispy. Kids love this, and you can toss the pieces into pasta, rice, casseroles, stir fries etc.

2. Spiced. For more adult tastes, add spices like ginger, cumin, etc to the marinade, OR use a spicy marinade, then stir fry with veggies OR add an Indian or Oriental spiced sauce. Serve with rice or noodles.

3. Baked or broiled. Cut tofu in 1/2" slices, or in 1" sticks or fingers, marinate and bake or broil. Serve with a grain and vegetables or salad.

4. Crispy. After marinating tofu slices, sprinkle with nutritional yeast, then fry, to give it a cheesy, crispy crust.

5. Raw. Add raw sliced tofu to any cooked veggie dish, or sauce, and it'll soak up the flavors. Tofu goes well with stir fried greens, especially if you throw in a few spices, like cumin, turmeric, ginger, or garlic.

Benefits of Tofu
Nutritionally speaking, both tofu is an excellent sources of a variety of nutrients. It contains muscle-building soy protein, which has numerous health benefits. It does have some fat, mainly in the form of unsaturated fat and is cholesterol free. It is low in sodium, unless soy sauce or other salty ingredients are added. Tofu can be a good source of calcium and iron.

Storing Tofu
Tofu is perishable and should be kept refrigerated, unless it is in an unopened aseptic package. Once a tofu package is opened, leftovers should be covered with fresh water for storage and the water should be changed daily. Silken tofu does not need to be covered with water, but should be kept refrigerated. Keep in mind, for many recipes, you may need to squeeze out the water, well, from firm or extra-firm tofu so that it’s able to absorb the flavors of the marinade.

Simple Tofu Recipe:

Tofu can be a little strange if you’re not familiar with using it in the kitchen. Always remember to use the Internet for quick and simple recipe ideas (or how-to’s) with tofu. You’ll be surprised at how delicious and how easy it is to incorporate into your existing meals! Try the ideas above or this one below.

Sweet & Spicy Tofu Nuggets

These little tofu nuggets are baked in a sweet and spicy sauce for a delectable dish.

Ingredients:

1 block firm or extra firm tofu, cubed

3 tbsp soy sauce

3 tbsp maple syrup

3 tbsp barbecue sauce

2 tbsp ketchup

2 tsp apple cider vinegar

2 tsp hot sauce

Preparation:

In a baking dish, whisk together all ingredients and add tofu, coating well. Marinate at least one hour. Bake at 375 degreed for 35 minutes, tossing occasionally to bake tofu evenly.