I want to learn to cook tofu Got recipes or tips?

[lokithelion]

I finally have a proper kitchen and I want to start experimenting with tofu, but before I do I'd like to pull off some recipes that I know work so I can figure out the stuff's properties and cooking quirks. Anyone have any good tofu recipes than can pass along?

Also if anyone has any killer veggie recipes I'd like to check those out too. I'm great with cooking/marinating/seasoning meat and would like to expand.

[Guest kylewilliam]

hey nutritional yeast, it makes life better and makes tofu not so bland.

get to know your spices well.

TOFU SCRAMBLE!

[casey]

I like sauteeing (sp?) it with snap peas, broccoli and brown rice in teriyaki sauce. Yum. Also, tofu takes the flavor of whatever it's cooked with, so using anything rich and/or spicy works really well.

[cosmonaut]

Try to drain the tofu well. I slice it up into blocks and squeeze it between two cutting boards to let the excess water drain.

I love just grilling it with BBQ or teriyaki sauce.

[casey]

A big thing with me about tofu is the texture. I hate it when it's soggy, so I always use the extra-firm stuff.

[lokithelion]

Try to drain the tofu well. I slice it up into blocks and squeeze it between two cutting boards to let the excess water drain.

I love just grilling it with BBQ or teriyaki sauce.

I've read up a little on draining. Do I need to put towels on the bottom and top of the tofu to soak the water using your method or will it just run out the sides?

[cosmonaut]

^ You can do either. I always just hold it up over the sink for a couple of minutes with a little pressure and it runs out, but you can use paper towels to soak it up too.

[mikeian]

i've never made this recipe, but i enjoy it in restaurants.. probably my fav tofu dish

http://korean-cuisine.blogspot.com/2008/08/soon-dooboo-jjigae-soft-tofu-soup.html

video here

http://koreanrecipes.org/soon-doo-boo-jigae-tofu-stew/

[kirbypuckett]

Tofu Tacos are my favorite thing to make.

Make sure the tofu is nice and crispy!

[tanukichu]

I like this thread. I've actually never cooked with tofu before. I always get tofu from restaurants or Whole Foods' hot bar.

I expect MOAR TIPS PLZ.

[lokithelion]

Tofu Tacos are my favorite thing to make.

Make sure the tofu is nice and crispy!

got a link to a recipe you dig or do you have your own?

[thousandjulys]

tempeh ruebens are where it's at! Seitan is also quite tasty.

[kirbypuckett]

Tofu Tacos are my favorite thing to make.

Make sure the tofu is nice and crispy!

got a link to a recipe you dig or do you have your own?

I just made it myself. I forgot a part, get some flour, put it in a bag, cut the tofu up into squares toss 'em in the bag and shake, shake, shake. then cook 'em in a little bit of oil and they'll crisp up!

I use soft tortillazzzzz

[bicyclepirate]

I always press my tofu like a few others have mentioned. I usually wrap it in a towel and put something heavy on it for about 20 minutes. I used to always freeze my tofu first and then thaw it out and press it, it gives the tofu a tougher and spongier texture, but it takes a lot of extra time so I stopped that.

My favorite recipe that I make all the time:

Its basically a tofu massaman curry (thai)

After pressing the tofu, I cut it up into small squares, pan fry then in oil until both sides are brown.

Then in a wok, I add a can of coconut milk, a cup of water, and a can of thai curry paste (any kind works, but avoid the thai kitchen brand, its weak stuff). I let that heat up and mix it well, then I add the tofu, and any veggies. I usually just add onions and peanuts, but I've tried potatoes, broccoli, eggplant, and carrots and its all good.

[partysmasher]

My favourite sushi place does stir-fried tofu with teriyaki sauce and spring onions, it's amazing!

[captainmorgan]

I've got a couple pretty good recipes that we make from time to time. PM me if any of these sound good and I'll give you the recipe. I feel like maybe I shouldn't post them up since they're from a cookbook (sort of like sharing in-print mp3s?)

Rice-stuffed summer squash (this is fricking delicious)

Tofu/Broccoli stir fry with garlic ginger sauce

Lemony spinach-stuffed shells

[lokithelion]

All of that sounds killer. I'm sure it would be okay to post the recipes here. Thankfully I dont think recipe copyright infringement is something the mods would care about.

[captainmorgan]

Okay fair enough. Here goes:

Rice-Stuffed Summer Squash

4 yellow squash, halved lengthwise and seeded

2 cups cooked brown, jasmine (I like the jasmine), or other rice

2 tbsp minced onion

2 tbsp minced green bell pepper

2 tbsp minced fresh parsley

1/2 c. firm tofu, blotted dry and crumbled

3 tbsp. grated parmesan

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

1. boil a pot of water, add the squash halves, blanch for 1-2 min. drain and set aside.

2. heat oven to 350.

3. mix rice, onion, bell pepper, parsley, tofu, cheese, salt, and cayenne in a bowl. spoon into squash halves and put them in a lightly oiled baking dish. bake until tender and stuffing is lightly brown, about 30 minutes. serve hot.

Lemony Spinach-Stuffed Shells

Large Pasta Shells (recipe says 12, I say more like 20)

2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 c. minced shallots

1 bunch spinach (I use maybe 1/3 - 1/2 lb.), coarsley chopped

4 oz. white mushrooms, chopped (about a cup)

1 pound firm tofu, blotted dry and crumbled

1/3 c. grated parmesan

juice and zest of 1 lemon

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

3 c. tomato based pasta sauce

1. cook the shells. set them aside

2. heat the oil in a skillet. add the shallots, cook for 5 min. add the spinach and mushrooms, cook until tender, about 5 minutes. put in a bowl and stif in tofu, parmesan, lemon juice and zest, salt, and pepper.

3. heat oven to 350. stuff filling into shells. spread a layer of pasta sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. put the shells on top of the sauce, then pour the remaining sauce on the shells. cover and bake for 30 min.

Tofu & Broccoli Stir Fry

1/4 c. tamari

2 tbsp. water

1 tsp sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tbsp. toasted sesame oil

2 tsp. cornstarch

1 tbsp. safflower oil (any light, tasteless oil would probably work)

4 c. broccoli

1 tbsp. minced garlic

1 tbsp. minced fresh ginger

1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

8 oz. firm dofu, blotted dry and cut into 1/2 in. cubes

3 tbsp. minced scallions

4-5 c. hot cooked white rice

1. stir together tamari, water, sugar, salt, sesame oil, and cornstarch. set aside.

2. in a large skillet, heat safflower oil over medium-high heat. stir-fry broccoli for ~1 min, so its bright green. take it out and put it on a paper towel to drain. stir fry garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, and tofu for 2 min. put the broccoli back in and stir-fry for another minute or so. add the tamari sauce, stir fry for about a minute until everything is well coated. serve over rice.

[kurtmanner]

We serve this at work and it is really good:

Spinach tofu napoleon. Slice firm tofu into 1/3" thick slices and pan fry in oil of choice. Layer with garlic/butter/etc sauteed spinach and you're all set. 10 minutes to make and it's tasty.

[hyperinactive]

this is too confusing. i will stick to eating out

[eddieruckus]

this is too confusing. i will stick to eating out

or the microwave

[kellyjanice]

I always freeze my tofu first then thaw it and drain it. It makes the tofu extra firm and I think way better.

I love to make the "fantastic world foods" tofu scrambler yummy

http://www.veganessentials.com/catalog/tofu-scrambler-seasoning-mix-by-fantastic-foods.htm

[sgoodcore]

Doesn't it nullify the non-fattiness of tofu to be constantly pan frying in oil?

[captainmorgan]

Doesn't it nullify the non-fattiness of tofu to be constantly pan frying in oil?

If you only use a tablespoon or so its not really that bad for you. Especially if you're using olive oil or something like that.

[dante3000]

Pan seared tofu and red onions:

1) Buy 1lbs extra firm tofu, one large red sweet onion, 3 tps. of olive oil, 2 cups brown rice, tps. chilli powder.

2) Grow a vagina

3)Enjoy.