How Do I Use Tofu?!

How Do I Use Tofu?

I have never before used Tofu and I'm very low on money (I'm 16, what do you expect?) I'm not quiet sure what to do with it, truth be told. I've found recipes online but I'm weary of trying them because I can't go out and buy tofu all the time.
Also, some people I've asked say it tastes horrible, and other's say the it depends on how you cook it.
And there's so many different kind. The recipes I look at use Tofu in replacement of chicken.
So basically, how do I find the right kind of tofu for what I'm cooking and how should I go about the whole process. I'm sure you guys are much better at it than me.

21 hours ago
I know it's not the only way I can get protein, but since I don't know how to use it at all I figured that I should at least learn how to use it and see if I like it. etc.

20 hours ago
Ok, so I've never had tofu before. Is there anything that it tastes like? What should I expect from it?

Tofu is mostly tasteless, but that's a good thing! It means you flavor it however you want! I love the stuff, could eat it 3 times a day.

THe easiest type of tofu to cook with is Extra firm. You'll find it in the refrigerated section near the PRODUCE in your supermarket. IT will be a block of tofu in a package with water, labeled extra firm.

Try this recipie. I love it.

Take the tofu out of the package, drain it well.
Mash it up with a fork until it looks like feta cheese.

Put it in a non-stick frying pan with maybe a little oil. Set the pan on medium (4-6)

Add black pepper, a couple dashes of soy sauce, some chicken flavored seasoning if you can find some made without actual chicken, and nutritional yeast flakes if you can find them. If not, try adding some garlic powder, onion powder, and tumeric. Watch the salt if you use soysauce or chicken flavor seasoning. Both those things are salty, so if you use them, you don't need to add salt!

Let it simmer in those seasonings, stirring only often enough to keep it from sticking to the pan. When all the moisture (Extra water) is gone, and the tofu doesn't look so "raw" anymore, then add some salsa (my favorite: original style pace picante mild) and/or some chopped diced tomatoes. Be sure to wait till tofu is almost done to add tomato products, tomatoes can make other ingredients stop cooking!

Let tofu cook with salsa and tomatoes for a couple more minutes.

Remove from heat

Eat this "scrambled tofu" with a spoonfull of sour cream on a warm tortilla! YUM!!

Another maybe even easier recipie.

Drain the block of tofu well, cut into cubes whichever size you want

Put the cubes of tofu in a bowl large enough to stir them in.
Add Some soysauce and ginger powder. Stir gently (you don't want to break the cubes up too much, but you want to make sure the soy sauce and ginger powder gets on all the tofu.

LEt it sit in this mixture for a few minutes (maybe 10).

"Fry" In a non-stick pan or with a little oil, until you see hints of brown on the tofu.

It is SUPER yummy on rice with sweet and sour sauce! Or you can add it to your stir-fry vegetables, asian noodles, whatever asian food you want.