Tofu has everything going for it: it’s nutritious, versatile, and inexpensive. But despite its many qualities, it’s still not widely used since preparing it remains a bit of a mystery.
What is tofu?
Tofu comes from a soy beverage that has curdled. A soy beverage is simply soaked soy beans blended with water. The mixture is then heated, strained, and finally pressed to obtain a whitish liquid, to which a coagulating agent is added to make tofu. The type of coagulating agent used changes the tofu’s texture and determines the type of tofu that will be obtained.
What type of tofu to choose?
There are two major types of tofu: silken tofu, also called soft tofu, and firm tofu, commonly called regular tofu.
The two types of tofu are different in several regards:
Firm tofu has been strongly pressed during the manufacturing process, which increases the content of certain nutrients. It contains more protein, calcium, and iron than silken tofu.
As their names indicate, these two types of tofu have very different textures and firmness levels. Silken tofu has a softer, more humid and custard-like texture, while firm texture contains most of its form, so it’s possible to slice it and handle it more easily.
Since their texture is very different, the two types of tofu have their specific preparation guidelines. Silken tofu is good for smoothies, dips, and desserts such as puddings. In Asian cuisine, it’s cut into small cubes and added to soups. Firm tofu is prepared, for its part, much like meat. You can cut it in slices or cubes and grill in a skillet or in the oven. Its firm texture also means you can grate it and use like ground meat. A block of firm tofu (454 g) is enough for four servings. What makes tofu so versatile is that it has no taste. It can therefore take the taste of any ingredient you add to it. You can marinate or season it with your favourite spices. If you’d like the perfect crunch, simply coat in cornstarch before frying in a little oil. Even the most sceptical will be converted.
Here are some very different recipes to show just how versatile tofu really is:
Storing
Tofu freezes really well. Before freezing, cut into slices or cubes so it’s ready to use when you are. Frozen tofu will absorb even more of the marinade so it comes out even tastier. Now simply stop by the grocery store to pick some up for dinner tonight!
