Trying tofu for the first time.?!
Answers: Hi all.I just got some tofu for the first time and some sprouts.I got all the vegies I need for stir fry and I am going to try it tonight for dinner.I found a recipe for sesame stir fry so wish me luck.When was the first time you ever tryied tofu and how was it cooked?Did you like it?
I hope you like it, but don't give up if it doesn't live up to your expectations, keep trying until you find a recipe you like. :)
The first time I used tofu was actually horribly unsuccessful. I was 13 and just beginning to consider vegetarianism and I ended up buying silken tofu since it said "use in smoothies" on it. I dumped nearly half the tray in a blender with a little banana and apple. It was bland, gross and awful... it would be another three years until I'd learn how to work with tofu and how to make a good smoothie. I think I was under the impression that plain tofu was delicious all on it's own, like yogurt or something - it was a surprise to see that it was almost flavorless. The texture was originally off-putting as well.
I've been on-and-off vegetarian since I was 13, but as I got older I got more and more strict and then ultimately I ended up eating a vegan diet. Obviously I've learned to work with tofu since then.
There is such a variety of tofu - soft, firm, extra-firm... you can try working with tofu from frozen, it gives it a different texture. Also look up online how to "press tofu", it'll give it yet another texture and it'll get some of the liquid out and make it easier to work with.
Firmer tofu is very useful, you can use it in stir fry (like you intend to), in pad thai, or in general any time a recipe calls for meat.
Soft and silken tofus are good for baking and smoothies. Look up eggless egg salad recipes, scrambled tofu for breakfast, dairyfree pumpkin pie... the possibilites are great and wide.
I would also recommend tempeh, which is a crumbly and firm block made of fermented soybeans. I really enjoy grating it to make a ground beef substitute, or to stuff peppers or mushrooms, and it fits in well in the place of steak or bacon strips if you cut it in thin slices and prepare it the right way.
Here is one of my favorite vegan cooking sites, this is the section they have for cooking with tofu, tempeh and other meat subs:
http://veganmania.com/recipes/index.php/...
Also here's an online vegan cooking site:
http://www.theppk.com/
Take care.
ive tried and did not like it my friends mom cooked it for dinner last year .
Make sure that it is well drained. Cut the tofu into cubes and shake them in cornstarch. Then fry in a little oil. They come out crispy this way and won't crumble.
it was many many years ago, and i didn't like it because i had not prepared it properly. it really needs to be pressed for a while to get out the extra liquid so it will be firm and hold together, and i didn't press it at all.
these days, i find i prefer the texture after i've frozen it and thawed it back out again. oh - and marinated it thoroughly. :)
Once you learn how to work with it, it's great. It's very bland on its own so take that into account; I like to slice it very thin and press it dry, and then panfry it quickly to add to sandwiches.
Another good method is to marinate a block of it for an hour or so in soy sauce, ginger, and spices (I like a little ancho chili powder and five spice powder), and then bake it for about an hour in a 350 degree oven. Be sure to baste it occasionally; when it's done, it's got a nice crust on the outside and the inside is not quite creamy, but soft and very good.
The first time I cooked tofu was right after I stopped eating eggs. I had seen a scrambled tofu recipe somewhere and I knew it called for silken tofu. I didn't know it called for firm tofu also and I ended up with some very soft scrambled "eggs".
As for the taste, it was fine. Tofu absorbs the flavors around it pretty well and I like using strong spices such as cumin and curry powder.
I have been a vegetarian for many years and I actually hate tofu! It's funny because meat-eaters always assume that I eat it. I personally prefer soy-based products that are made by MorningStar Farms or Quorn and similar companies. They make foods that taste similar to meat, such as turkey, bologna, beef, hot dogs, sausage, chicken, etc.
Good luck with your recipe and I hope that you enjoy it! :)
Good luck with that. I tried it years ago and never have had the desire to try it again. Nasty.
i had it fried and i ate it just a month ago........i thought it tasted great when it was fried iono wat u think of it but i like it
just cube it and tos in the hot pan with veggies and add soy sauce