What are some great ways to cook tofu?!
What are some great ways to cook tofu?
Something that is quick and easy please.
Answers:
Simple Ways to Cook With Tofu:
Use firm tofu for the following recipes. If it seems too soft, you can wrap in a dishtowel, and press it with a brick or pan of water, or something heavy to squeeze out excess water, just for 10 - 15 minutes.
Small children will eat tofu straight up, raw, sliced, but since it's raw, it should at least be steamed, to kill any nasty bacteria, and prevent gas.
Slice the firm tofu in 1/2 x 1" pieces, marinate, then fry both sides til crispy. Kids love this, and you can toss the pieces into pasta, rice, casseroles, stir fries etc. See Fried Tofu Recipe below for more details.
For more adult tastes, add spices like ginger, cumin, etc to the marinade, OR use a spicy marinade, then stir fry with veggies OR add an Indian or Oriental spiced sauce. Serve with rice or noodles.
Cut tofu in 1/2" slices, or in 1" sticks or fingers, marinate and bake or broil, serve with a grain and vegetables or salad. If you want to get fancy, coat with fine dry bread or cracker crumbs first. Great with catsup! See SV's baked tofu recipe for more details
Add raw sliced tofu to any veggie dish, or sauce. It'll soak up the flavors. It goes well with stir fried greens. Especially if you throw in a few spices, like cumin, turmeric, ginger, hing.
There are quite a few Tasty Tofu Recipes on Savvy Vegetarian, for example tofu burgers, which have been a weekly staple at our house for many years.
What To Do With Fried or Baked Tofu
Serve with pasta and steamed veggies, with a little tomato sauce and parmesan cheese
Serve with rice or quinoa, baked squash and steamed veggies, or salad
Combine with roasted or sauteed veggies and salsa in a wrap
Add to a grain based pilaf, or veggie stew
Cool and make a sandwich or two for your lunchbox
Ingredients:
1 lb firm tofu
1/4 c each whole wheat flour, corn flour, & rolled oats
1/2 c parsley tops or fresh basil leaves, washed & dried
1 tsp each paprika, coriander, cumin
1/2 tsp dried basil or thyme
1/4 tsp ginger
pinch cayenne
1/2 tsp salt and/or 1 Tbsp liquid aminos or soy sauce
Instructions:
Slice tofu in 6-8 slices. Place in a folded dishtowel, cover with a cutting board, weighted with something heavy. Leave for ten minutes. This dries out the tofu so the mixture isn't gooey.
Heat a non-stick frying pan on medium with olive oil, or your favorite cooking oil. I add a pinch of asefetida (hing) to the oil for extra flavor. Garlic works too if you like it.
Break tofu into chunks, and add to food processor. If you don't have one, mash by hand or with a potato masher, and finely chop the parsley or basil first.
Throw in everything else and mix well by hand, or on low in the food processor just until it all clumps up.
Form into thin patties, and fry in small amount of oil, on medium heat, 5-7 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
Ingredients:
1 lb firm tofu
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup wine vinegar
1 tablespoon basil
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt
2 small tomatoes
1 cucumber
1/4 red onion
1 cup black olives
Instructions:
Cut 1 block tofu into small chunks the size of dice. Press the chunks gently with towels or cloths to absorb any excess water.
Whisk remaining ingredients together in a bowl.
Pour this marinade over the tofu and let sit for at least an hour, or up to overnight.
Meanwhile, chop veggies, stir them into the tofu mixture and toss. Or bake the tofu as below, (SV Suggestion: or fry the marinated tofu in a little oil), and slice into strips before adding to the salad.
Optional: For Greek Tofu Bake, cut the tofu into thin slabs instead of cubes. Prepare the marinade as directed above. Lay the slabs on a baking tray, cover with marinade, and bake at 350° for 25 minutes, flipping once. Cut into strips and serve over salad or in whole wheat tortillas.
Serve as a salad on its own or atop a bed of fresh spinach leaves (or other greens).