What do I do with this tofu?

liftingandlipstick
liftingandlipstick Posts: 1,857 Member
in Recipes
I bought tofu on a whim yesterday. I've eaten it before, know that I like it, but have never prepared it myself. So- throw some suggestions at me!

I am on Pinterest, and have looked around there a bit, but I'm looking for personal recommendations- recipes with a certified stamp of approval already attached :)
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Replies

  • rowlandsw
    rowlandsw Posts: 1,166 Member
    you could cook it up in a stir fry, usually people marinade it overnight in soy sauce to give it a flavor but you can also put it in a soup and let it absorb that flavor.
  • takumaku
    takumaku Posts: 352 Member
    - Tofu chocolate pudding
    - Tofu hash
    - Add it to your favorite protein shake recipe
    - Soups

    It takes on the flavor of the dish. Take your favorite dish and add it to it.
  • chunkybun
    chunkybun Posts: 179 Member
    I generally use tofu in a smoothie, but I've also used as a substitute for cream cheese in cheesecake.
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    You can do anything with tofu! Most of the time I just add it to dishes. For example, I add it to spaghetti, vegetarian stew or chilli for the extra protein. You can also curry and bake it. You can bread it and bake it (similar to Chicken Parm). Scramble it with taco seasoning and use on tacos.

    I think the key is to press and bake it though. I press it (basically wrap in a towel and put something heavy like a pot on top for about 10-15 mins), slice it into 8 sections, lightly spray with olive oil, bake on 400 for 20 mins, flip, bake for 10 more, and sometimes broil for 2 mins at the end for extra crispness.
  • impyimpyaj
    impyimpyaj Posts: 1,073 Member
    I generally use tofu in a smoothie, but I've also used as a substitute for cream cheese in cheesecake.

    I am cutting out dairy again because I finally decided to stop giving myself asthma attacks on purpose, but cheesecake is the thing I miss most. How do you use tofu in a cheesecake? Is it a 1:1 substitution? Do you have to do anything else special?
  • FatOldManMN
    FatOldManMN Posts: 1,116 Member
    Tofu cat food.
  • thefatveganchef
    thefatveganchef Posts: 89 Member
    http://carrotjuice.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=29
  • andylowry
    andylowry Posts: 89
    Tofu will absorb most any flavor you apply. I like spicy oriental dishes of various sorts, so I keep some tofu in chili oil in the refrigerator to add to things. You might not like the heat as much as I do, but it's a thought.

    You can add it anywhere you might have added ground meat-- vegetarian chili, scrambled eggs and omelettes, pasta sauces, and so on. If you want it to maintain its shape, you'd be best off with extra firm. Less than that tends to crumble, which is fine for some things.
  • kshiraakshara
    kshiraakshara Posts: 119 Member
    Baked Tofu

    Ingredients:
    1 block firm tofu, pressed and cut into triangles

    Liquid
    3 Tbsp. mustard
    1/2 cup water
    1/3 cup flour
    black pepper and garlic powder to taste

    Breading
    1 cup dry bread crumbs
    1 tsp paprika
    1 tsp celery salt
    1/2 tsp salt
    1/2 tsp ground black pepper
    1/4 tsp garlic salt
    1/4 tsp minced garlic
    1/4 tsp minced onion
    1 pinch dried basil leaves
    1 pinch dried oregano

    Dilute the mustard in the water and then whisk in the flour, pepper, and garlic powder. In a ziplock bag or a bowl, combine all breading ingredients. Take your tofu triangles, dredge them in the mustard mix, then in the breadcrumbs. Throw them on a greased baking pan and put them in the oven at about 400 degrees. Bake them until it looks like the crumbs are almost burned (around 25 minutes).



    These recipes are also really good:
    http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2012/10/spicy-sriracha-tofu-peanut-butter.html
    http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2008/06/baked-tofu-recipe-with-soy-and-sesame.html
  • vvendy_darling
    vvendy_darling Posts: 75
    throw it away
  • JenniTheVeggie
    JenniTheVeggie Posts: 2,474 Member
    Buffalo style tofu

    Sooo easy and soooo good.

    1 Container of extra firm tofu

    1-2 Tablespoons of Hot Sauce (Franks)

    1-2 Tablespoons of Water

    1 Tablespoon Butter (I use Land O Lake Spreadable Butter with Canola Oil)

    Slice the tofu and remove as much extra moisture as possible. Put the tofu in a skillet sprayed with a little cooking spray. Flip over once the first side is browned. Brown other side. Meanwhile combine hot sauce, water and butter and microwave until the butter is melted. Mix the sauce until combined. Remove from pan and pour over the sauce.
  • JenniTheVeggie
    JenniTheVeggie Posts: 2,474 Member
    Tofu cat food.


    Hush you!
  • sistrsprkl
    sistrsprkl Posts: 1,010 Member
    Tofu banh mi. It's the only way I ever eat tofu these days. yum.
  • SunofaBeach14
    SunofaBeach14 Posts: 4,899 Member
    Quality tofu tastes great on its own. If what you purchased tastes like a sponge, and if you bought it at a regular grocery store it probably does, just throw it out.
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    I made Ma Po tofu the other day and it's amazing! Google for it. It has pork mixed with it.
  • liftingandlipstick
    liftingandlipstick Posts: 1,857 Member
    Thanks for the great ideas, folks! I may have to buy more if even half these turn out as good as they sound- definitely going to have to try the baked and buffalo, plus stir frys :)
  • archaichoney
    archaichoney Posts: 132 Member
    sautee it and some veg with a little oil. Med-high heat. When it's golden round the edges add in soy sauce or Bragg's Aminos liquid and reduce a little. Serve over rice. Tofu absorbs flavor really well. Use firm for sauteeing and soft for smoothes, soups and such.
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    If you like soups look up Hot and sour soup, it's amazing but spicy.
  • ATGsquats
    ATGsquats Posts: 227 Member
    Eat it?
  • acpgee
    acpgee Posts: 8,004 Member
    http://chinesefood.about.com/od/tof1/r/mapotofu.htm
  • LDBianca
    LDBianca Posts: 28 Member
    Here is one of my favorite that I use all the time

    Pan Fried Tofu and Awesome Hoisin Sauce

    100-200 grams hard or extra firm tofu
    3 tsp vegetable oil
    1/4 cup Hoisin Sauce
    2 tsp soy sauce
    1 tsp sesame oil

    1. Really press as much water out of the tofu as possible. I wrap mine in paper towels to get the initial moisture off of it then wrap it in paper towels again and weight it down with a cast iron skillet and leave it for 20 mins.
    2. While you wait, combine the Hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and sesame oil in a bowl and set aside.
    3. After the tofu is dry, slice it 1/2 inch thick.
    4. Heat the vegetable oil in non stick pan and when it's hot place the slices of tofu in there. The tofu should sizzle when you put it in and don't let the tofu touch the other tofu in the pan.
    5. Leave the tofu alone! Don't touch it! Depending on your pan the first side should take between 4-6 minutes (i have one piece I use as a tester piece) When golden brown flip. The other side won't take as long to cook, about 2-3 minutes.
    6. When done place on plate and drizzle Hoisin Sauce over it.

    I top mine with sliced scallions and white sesame seeds for a visual and flavorful experience :)
  • dswolverine
    dswolverine Posts: 246 Member
    bump- these recipes are great!
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Is it soft, firm, or medium?

    I find firm the best for cooking with and if soft can be used in smoothies, or choc tofu mousse
  • elliej
    elliej Posts: 466 Member
    bump for later
  • will2lose72
    will2lose72 Posts: 128 Member
    I've made tofu spring rolls before but I can't find the recipe. There are lots of them on Pinterest as well. They are messy but good, even my kids ate them!
  • laurie04427
    laurie04427 Posts: 421 Member
    I cut the tofu into cubes. Then take:

    I tbsp. olive oil
    1 tbsp. soy sauce
    1 tbsp. vinegar (I don't think it matters what type).
    small onion chopped
    1 tbsp. minced garlic

    Throw it all into a big ziplock and let it marinade for a while (few hours) in the fridge.

    Then put 1 tbsp. of olive oil in a pan and stir fry it with some fresh broccoli. We have it with brown rice. Yummy.
  • Gilligans_Eyes
    Gilligans_Eyes Posts: 7
    bump for later
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    My favorite ways to eat tofu are:

    - in a stir fry (goes really well with broccoli)
    - soaked in low sodium soy sauce, dusted with corn starch, deep fried then added to a salad while still warm
    - crumbled into marinara sauce over pasta
    - mixed with frozen spinach and mozzerella cheese, stuffed into shells, then pour tomato based pasta sauce over all, top with parmesan cheese and bake until it starts to brown.

    Silken tofu mixed with spices makes a great sandwich spread.
  • DANCERPURPLE
    DANCERPURPLE Posts: 134 Member
    bump
  • chunkybun
    chunkybun Posts: 179 Member
    Here's the tofu cheesecake recipe:


    2 (12 ounce) packages extra firm tofu, drained and cubed


    1 cup white sugar


    1 teaspoon vanilla extract


    1/4 teaspoon salt


    1/4 cup vegetable oil


    2 tablespoons lemon juice


    1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust



    1.Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
    2.In a blender or food processor, combine tofu, sugar, vanilla, salt, vegetable oil, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth. Pour into the pie crust.
    3.Bake in the preheated oven until slightly brown, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven to cool. Refrigerate until chilled.

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