Tofu 101 is all you will need to read in order to master cooking tofu that is actually delicious!
Tofu can get a bad rap for having a bland taste and being boring but it is far from that! If you think this, odds are that you just dont know how to cook it correctly yet! This ultimate guide to cooking tofu is exactly what you need to expand your skills and learn everything about tofu.
The Guide to Cooking Tofu will touch on the most popular types of tofu and how to cook all of them! Learning how to cook tofu was a game changer for me and at the end of this blog post, Ill be linking over 10+ recipes that are fun yet easy to make, approachable, and delicious. Plus a bonus recipe for the crispest tofu ever!
Tofu is a great vegan protein source and an amazing part of a balanced diet! For best results, read through this article and then try out the crispest tofu ever down at the bottom of the post!
Tofu originated in China and no one knows exactly who or how it was invented. There are a few different theories out there but whoever invented it, thank you! Making tofu is similar to making cheese so one theory is that someone discovered it while attempting to make cheese out of soy milk.
There is a misconception about tofu being a food that only vegans consume but this is very wrong. Tofu has been a staple in Asian cuisines for centuries!
Tofu is made by coagulating soy milk then the curds are pressed together to create that shape and textures that we are familiar with today.
The process of making tofu is actually quite interesting and is compared to making cheese. Tofu has definitely evolved over the centuries and what was once 1 type of tofu has now taken multiple different shapes. Well touch on that next.
Firm tofu has the consistency of cooked chicken, while medium tofu is like cooked fish, and soft tofu is similar to a firm custard. Firm or extra firm tofu works best in most dishes cooked in a pan (and you can grill/broil it as well). For most dishes, I slice it into 1/2″/1 cm cubes.
What are the different types of tofu and how do I prepare them?
There are many many different kinds of tofu but were going to cover the most popular silken tofu, soft tofu, medium firm/ firm tofu, extra-firm tofu, and super firm tofu.
Silken tofu has an incredibly silky creamy texture and will fall apart when handled. It has the highest water content of all the different varieties of tofu and the lowest protein content. It is recommended not to press this variety of tofu.
There are different types of silken tofu but most grocery stores only carry one. They can be interchangeable and it doesnt really matter which variety of silken tofu you find.
Soft tofu is similar to silken tofu but they are not the same! The mouth-feel is definitely different. Soft tofu is a bit more coarse in texture whereas silken tofu is silky smooth and creamy.
What Does Tofu Taste Like?
Plain tofu has no specific flavor and is honestly, quite bland. This might be why people tend to hate it but the fact that its bland is exactly why we should LOVE it.
The texture of tofu is more important than the taste- all the different types of tofu have different textures. Be sure to read more about each of the variations of tofu so you pick the best option for the recipe that you are making.
So, why are we glad tofu tastes like nothing? Because you can create whatever you want out of it!
The flavor of tofu wont matter because whatever marinade you add, it soaks it up! It takes on the flavor of whatever your heart desires. Once you nail the texture, youre going to have so much fun creating new and fun dishes that make tofu taste good.
Lucas Sin Teaches You How to Pan-Fry Tofu 2 Ways | In The Kitchen With
FAQ
How do you know when tofu is fully cooked?
Why is my tofu so mushy after cooking?
What texture should cooked tofu be?
Is tofu supposed to be squishy?
What is soft tofu?
Soft tofu is the Chinese version of silken tofu and can be used in all the same ways. Traditionally it’s enjoyed in a dish like mapo tofu, folded in with ground beef and a heavy-handed splash of fermented, spicy soybean paste. Firm tofu is still somewhat soft, but it holds its shape. It can be picked up easily with chopsticks.
Does tofu have to be cooked?
Tofu, produced from soybeans, is a protein source of vegetable origin, it does not necessarily need to be cooked, it can be consumed as a cheese substitute.
How do you eat soft tofu?
An easy way to enjoy soft tofu is raw in a cold tofu salad. Instead of layering soft tofu cubes over leafy greens, they’re placed in a bowl with a soy-based sauce and topped with aromatics, like green onion, sesame seeds, and Thai peppers.
Does tofu stick to Pan?
Tofu has a tendency to stick to the pan—hard. Of course, scraping it off the bottom of your pan will both strip it of its crispy coating and break it up into pieces, leaving a mess. Go with nonstick pans or naturally nonstick cast iron, and use a generous amount of oil. 8. You didn’t store it well