Pan-Fried Tofu (Good or bad?)
SkezzaShredder
Posts: 39 Member
Hello,
I am trying a low G.I. diet and have been doing well for a few weeks now. I've shed quite a bit of weight, but to keep myself inspired, I decided to try some new stuff (I can't keep eating skinless chicken, veg and quinoa every day), so I've bought some tofu.
Now I know NOTHING about tofu, other than it's soybean curd and it absorbs flavour. Lacking a real understanding of how to cook, I went ahead and pan fried it with a slight sprinkle of cornstarch and paprika. I have to say, it tastes really good. Spicy, but tasty.
Now, here's my question, is pan-fried tofu okay or am I swinging and missing here? I wouldn't say I used a lot of oil. I have one of those 2 calorie sprayer things, but naturally you end up spraying 3 or 4 times....
I've read about oven baked tofu and also raw tofu as part of a salad. What do we think?
Thanks
I am trying a low G.I. diet and have been doing well for a few weeks now. I've shed quite a bit of weight, but to keep myself inspired, I decided to try some new stuff (I can't keep eating skinless chicken, veg and quinoa every day), so I've bought some tofu.
Now I know NOTHING about tofu, other than it's soybean curd and it absorbs flavour. Lacking a real understanding of how to cook, I went ahead and pan fried it with a slight sprinkle of cornstarch and paprika. I have to say, it tastes really good. Spicy, but tasty.
Now, here's my question, is pan-fried tofu okay or am I swinging and missing here? I wouldn't say I used a lot of oil. I have one of those 2 calorie sprayer things, but naturally you end up spraying 3 or 4 times....
I've read about oven baked tofu and also raw tofu as part of a salad. What do we think?
Thanks
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Replies
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Very bad. It tastes disgusting. Boiled Tofu in soup for life.
But jokes aside, it has as many calories as it has. Did you weigh and log it? If yes you know if it fit or not.0 -
Tofu is great for you it's a good source of protein and contains all eight essential amino acids. It is also an excellent source of iron and calcium and the minerals manganese, selenium and phosphorous. In addition, tofu is a good source of magnesium, copper, zinc and vitamin B1. 100g of silken tofu is around 62 calories, so pretty low calorie wise too. You can eat it "raw", but other than that treat it like you would the chicken. You can marinate it, fry it, grill it like I said what you would do with chicken.2
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stevencloser wrote: »Very bad. It tastes disgusting. Boiled Tofu in soup for life.
But jokes aside, it has as many calories as it has. Did you weigh and log it? If yes you know if it fit or not.
I roughly weighed it yes, as in I used half the packet, so I know the weight. That said, my question is more about whether frying it will add a significant amount of calories. I know that the sprayer claims each spray is 2 calories, but is it as simple as saying, okay this tofu was x calories, now it's x + 16 calories for the oil?
I'm considering eating it raw as part of a salad. Today's salad it's fried as this was the left overs. So are you saying I could marinade it using say some spices and foil, almost like a steak, then eat it like that? That actually sounds really tempting.Tofu is great for you it's a good source of protein and contains all eight essential amino acids. It is also an excellent source of iron and calcium and the minerals manganese, selenium and phosphorous. In addition, tofu is a good source of magnesium, copper, zinc and vitamin B1. 100g of silken tofu is around 62 calories, so pretty low calorie wise too. You can eat it "raw", but other than that treat it like you would the chicken. You can marinate it, fry it, grill it like I said what you would do with chicken.
Cajun tofu
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Good on you for tying new foods!
IMHO tofu spoils everything it comes near and the best way to prepare it is to scrape that nasty crap straight into the bin but, I'm led to believe that, some people pretend to like it.0 -
SkezzaShredder wrote: »stevencloser wrote: »Very bad. It tastes disgusting. Boiled Tofu in soup for life.
But jokes aside, it has as many calories as it has. Did you weigh and log it? If yes you know if it fit or not.
I roughly weighed it yes, as in I used half the packet, so I know the weight. That said, my question is more about whether frying it will add a significant amount of calories. I know that the sprayer claims each spray is 2 calories, but is it as simple as saying, okay this tofu was x calories, now it's x + 16 calories for the oil?
I'm considering eating it raw as part of a salad. Today's salad it's fried as this was the left overs. So are you saying I could marinade it using say some spices and foil, almost like a steak, then eat it like that? That actually sounds really tempting.Tofu is great for you it's a good source of protein and contains all eight essential amino acids. It is also an excellent source of iron and calcium and the minerals manganese, selenium and phosphorous. In addition, tofu is a good source of magnesium, copper, zinc and vitamin B1. 100g of silken tofu is around 62 calories, so pretty low calorie wise too. You can eat it "raw", but other than that treat it like you would the chicken. You can marinate it, fry it, grill it like I said what you would do with chicken.
Cajun tofu
You can marinate it like that yes, if you leave the tofu in a tub with the marinade for however long to soak it up, then grill or fry.
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StealthHealth wrote: »Good on you for tying new foods!
IMHO tofu spoils everything it comes near and the best way to prepare it is to scrape that nasty crap straight into the bin but, I'm led to believe that, some people pretend to like it.
Hahaha, that's actually funny. It does seem to be a real Marmite food. I tried it raw and instantly thought "wow, I like this" then after a second bite thought "erm, not so much now". It's initial taste is very nice, but then it goes very rubbery, can't really explain it.
Still, the spicy tofu I've made is actually really nice, genuinely
Next move is oven bake in foil covered in various herbs and spices 0 -
SkezzaShredder wrote: »stevencloser wrote: »Very bad. It tastes disgusting. Boiled Tofu in soup for life.
But jokes aside, it has as many calories as it has. Did you weigh and log it? If yes you know if it fit or not.
I roughly weighed it yes, as in I used half the packet, so I know the weight. That said, my question is more about whether frying it will add a significant amount of calories. I know that the sprayer claims each spray is 2 calories, but is it as simple as saying, okay this tofu was x calories, now it's x + 16 calories for the oil?
I'm considering eating it raw as part of a salad. Today's salad it's fried as this was the left overs. So are you saying I could marinade it using say some spices and foil, almost like a steak, then eat it like that? That actually sounds really tempting.Tofu is great for you it's a good source of protein and contains all eight essential amino acids. It is also an excellent source of iron and calcium and the minerals manganese, selenium and phosphorous. In addition, tofu is a good source of magnesium, copper, zinc and vitamin B1. 100g of silken tofu is around 62 calories, so pretty low calorie wise too. You can eat it "raw", but other than that treat it like you would the chicken. You can marinate it, fry it, grill it like I said what you would do with chicken.
Cajun tofu
Of course it's just adding them. Energy can't be created or destroyed, physics high school class #1.
If you know the calories of every thing you used you know the calories of the meal.0 -
stevencloser wrote: »SkezzaShredder wrote: »stevencloser wrote: »Very bad. It tastes disgusting. Boiled Tofu in soup for life.
But jokes aside, it has as many calories as it has. Did you weigh and log it? If yes you know if it fit or not.
I roughly weighed it yes, as in I used half the packet, so I know the weight. That said, my question is more about whether frying it will add a significant amount of calories. I know that the sprayer claims each spray is 2 calories, but is it as simple as saying, okay this tofu was x calories, now it's x + 16 calories for the oil?
I'm considering eating it raw as part of a salad. Today's salad it's fried as this was the left overs. So are you saying I could marinade it using say some spices and foil, almost like a steak, then eat it like that? That actually sounds really tempting.Tofu is great for you it's a good source of protein and contains all eight essential amino acids. It is also an excellent source of iron and calcium and the minerals manganese, selenium and phosphorous. In addition, tofu is a good source of magnesium, copper, zinc and vitamin B1. 100g of silken tofu is around 62 calories, so pretty low calorie wise too. You can eat it "raw", but other than that treat it like you would the chicken. You can marinate it, fry it, grill it like I said what you would do with chicken.
Cajun tofu
Of course it's just adding them. Energy can't be created or destroyed, physics high school class #1.
If you know the calories of every thing you used you know the calories of the meal.
Indeed high school physics lesson 1. Should have thought about that. Just realized how stupid that sounded reading it back.
Next test is oven baked, then grilled, then all sorts of recipes 0 -
Tofu already has oil in it. I put mine in the pan with no oil -- mostly because I am lazy. But it is o.k. to add some oil if you like.
I have eaten tofu "raw" sliced between to pieces of bread when it is fresh from the grocery store.
I am not an adventurous cook. I have not tried baking it.
It works well in soups.0 -
That's very interesting, so it could theoretically be fried with just it's own oil which might even be a positive on the calorie front. Add some paprika or cajun in there and you've got a very flavourful food I reckon. Definitely got to try that next. Raw between bread sounds quite tasty, but I've pretty much cut bread out of my diet, at least for the time being.Tofu already has oil in it. I put mine in the pan with no oil -- mostly because I am lazy. But it is o.k. to add some oil if you like.
I have eaten tofu "raw" sliced between to pieces of bread when it is fresh from the grocery store.
I am not an adventurous cook. I have not tried baking it.
It works well in soups.
Any soups in particular? I've noticed noodle soup is common, but again, I've cut noodles out haha
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When I cook it without oil, I am using a teflon pan so I do not know how it would work in another type of pan.
Also I usually buy extra firm tofu. The other softer types are good for other purposes I suppose but I have not worked with them. The silken (soft) works easily in a smoothie or other recipe.
Tofu can be added to a chili or bean soup.
Here is tilapia and tofu soup: http://thewoksoflife.com/2014/12/easy-fish-tofu-soup/
When a dish calls for noodles, try bean sprouts or shirataki noodles as both have very few calories. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirataki_noodles
Have you tried freezing Tofu? When it is defrosted in the fridge, it has a different texture:
http://www.scissorsandspice.com/2012/03/spice-in-kitchen-freezing-tofu-is-magic.html0 -
If you are going to bake the tofu, I suggest using firm tofu or even extra firm.
I like to cut up a block of firm tofu, marinade it in some sesame oil and soy sauce for about 30 mins and then spread on a baking sheet. I use this as a protein on top of salads.
Don't forget to press the water out of the tofu beforehand. The firmer it is, the less water it has but it's still there. I open up the package, place it in a container, put a small plate on top and weigh down the top with a can of soup. Leave it there for about five minutes should do.0 -
This recipe for Pan Fried Sesame Tofu with Broccoli is so good. Also the same technique can be done for other recipes, and it's a step by step photographed process.0
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Baked tofu can be quite tasty, I sometimes bake it on a rack so I can be lazy, if you're baking it on a sheet be sure to flip it partway.
And make this recipe immediately: http://pinchofyum.com/honey-ginger-tofu-veggie-stir-fry
You can cut back on the oil in the sauce or just use less sauce, but damn the flavors are amazing. Oddly enough, this is my two year old's favorite meal.0 -
I love fried tofu. Very good in a stir fry.0
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I always cook my tofu either sauté it or baked. I slice it or cube it then season. I refuse to eat it floating in soups lol.
You can make it any flavor you like -
it's good seasoned with taco type spices,
the other day I sprinkled 5 spice powder on it and also added a little ginger and cayenne then a few drops sesame oil (a little goes a lonnnggg way) and a sprinkle rice vinegar
you can make it italian flavored etc. Whatever you like.
But I always cook it. Always.
Any of these flavors could be used on salad or with cooked veggies, etc0 -
i had pan fried tofu last night but it was out while I was at a music festival. So I had to eyeball the portions but I have no idea if I was right lol how much did yours weigh and how much did you use?0
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threads coming back from the grave in time for Halloween.0
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I always pan fry tofu, and i eat it atleast twice a week!! It's hands-down the best way to cook tofu for a good texture.
What i do, however, is i usually dry fry it. Sometimes i'll use a non-stick spray, but i would say these calories are almost negligible.
here's my recipe:
https://delishably.com/special-diets/How_to_Cook_Tofu_Like_the_Pros0
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