Need some help with tofu

unmitigatedbadassery
unmitigatedbadassery Posts: 653 Member
edited September 2024 in Recipes
From what I understand tofu is supposed to be pretty good for you. I have done a lot of reading and it seems that it would make a great replacement for the meat that I dearly love.

I am pretty handy in the kitchen (cooking for 18 years now) but I am not terribly familiar with tofu. I am looking for some ideas/recipes that make me forget that I'm eating soybean Jell-O.

I want as close to a meat like texture as I can get. Any tips?

Replies

  • emilydmac
    emilydmac Posts: 382 Member
    freeze it first- the texture becomes more meaty. also MARINADE AND SEASON the crap out of it!!!
    Good luck, i love tofu!
  • maddymama
    maddymama Posts: 1,183 Member
    Use extra firm tofu, and then press it, and marinate it before you use it.

    Pressing is when you take the tofu, rinse it off, pat it dry. Then place a few paper towels on a plate, put the tofu on some paper towels, then put another plate ontop. Let sit for awhile (30 minutes or so) to get the extra water out. Then marinate it and sautee it up. Yummy.

    I also sometimes rinse the tofu, cube it, and toss it with cornstarch and some seasonings. I melt a tbs or oil or butter in a pan and sautee it till crispy on the outside. I love that texture.
  • jeanie✰
    jeanie✰ Posts: 127
    I hope I'm not breaking any site rules by linking off site, but I use this method: http://hubpages.com/hub/How_to_Cook_Tofu_Like_the_Pros I actually don't use a cast iron pan, but spray my cooking pan with pam really lightly and monitor the tofu pretty closely. I'm picky about what I marinate it in. If you're using soy/terriyaki, go for something very low sodium. Once I have that cooked, I can use it in SOOO many things; stir fry, sandwiches (if you slice it thin). Even home made sushi! (loaded with lots of sliced veggies and wrapped in seaweed!)
  • alexandradeyl
    alexandradeyl Posts: 67 Member
    look for the "tofu crumbles". it looks and tastes very similar to ground beef, good for tacos :) i stopped eating meat too and eat tofu almost every day
  • TropicalKitty
    TropicalKitty Posts: 2,298 Member
    It takes up the flavor of what it's around, so like the PP you gotta season it. You can stir fry it, bake it in the oven, toss it in soups, there are veggie protein crumbles that you can use to make like a meat pasta sauce or hamburger helper type things.

    I will share this, remember that it is a hormone analog. So not everyone thinks it's that healthy. The more I've read about soybean products, the less I've allowed them in my food. Meat isn't horrible. What matters is the quality of the meat.
  • CraftyGirl4
    CraftyGirl4 Posts: 571 Member
    Well, most tofu needs to be drained before eating if you want a more meaty texture. Take your tofu and put paper towels on top and on the bottom of the block of tofu and place a cookie sheet with a heavy can or two on top to help squeeze out the moisture. Probably the best meaty texture I get from tofu is when I crumble drained firm or extra firm tofu for tacos in the place of ground beef.. Tacos are all about the seasoning anyway
  • unmitigatedbadassery
    unmitigatedbadassery Posts: 653 Member
    No, meat is not horrible. I love meat. I was just looking for an alternative. Thanks everyone!
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