Tofu Help

RubyRunner14
RubyRunner14 Posts: 148 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hey guys... I bought a package of extra firm tofu yesterday to use as a meat substitute. I am very confused about storing, cooking, and transporting it and Google didn't seem to do a good job of explaining it to me.

As of right now, it is unopened from its original packaging and in the refrigerator. I plan on cooking it later today, Wednesday at the latest in a pan with a simple spice only recipe since I'm on Keto. I want to be able to pack it for my lunches later in the week but I don't know how it would do in a cool lunch box.

I think it is OK in the fridge right now, but after I press and cook it, how do I store it after that, both in the fridge and lunch box? Thanks for the help!

Replies

  • grimendale
    grimendale Posts: 2,153 Member
    Unopened, it's fine in the fridge. If you cook it, it will travel just fine in a lunch box. Treat it the way you would any other leftovers. The only difference with tofu is that, if you store an uncooked portion, you need to recover the uncooked part with water and seal it up for storage (it's typically good for about a week after that).
  • msarro
    msarro Posts: 2,748 Member
    This is a great episode of good eats, entirely about the types of tofu, and how to use it:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puWe2b1TIvY

    Basically, soft/silken tofu doesn't need refrigerated, and is good for desserts/smoothies.
    Medium isn't good for much of anything - i think it's a marketing trick of some vegan mafia or something.
    Firm and extrafirm you drain, rinse, wrap in plastic wrap and store in the freezer until you're ready to use them (it improves the meaty texture).

    You are fine storing all of them in the fridge for 4-5 days, with all except silken you're going to want to open up and change out the water daily until you use it (sort of like storing reconstituted beans). You will get a better texture via a freeze/thaw as previously mentioned.

    After it's cooked, you can store it in your fridge like any other meat (cover in some plastic wrap or store in a container). It absorbs flavors and odors very readily so you'll want to keep it covered, especially if it isn't in some type of sauce.
  • ssmithbowman
    ssmithbowman Posts: 23
    i usually buy firm and extra firm. I just drain it, cut it up, and add it to recipes like stews, soups, chilis, stir-frys, etc. I probably am not doing it right but that's what I do and it tastes excellent.
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    Tofu doesn't really taste of anything so make sure whatever recipe you're using has lots of flavour .
  • frenchfacey
    frenchfacey Posts: 237 Member
    i drain it

    press it (wrap it in a towel and put a heavy pot on top for an hour)

    then i cut it into thin slices and make a light bbq or teriyaki marinade

    then i put it under the broiler for 10 minutes each side, flip and marinate


    and its my little version of vegan jerky :)

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