Tofu

[Auroro]

Hey all...

Just a question. I've been wanting to become a vegetarian for a long time... and my mom wants to get some Tofu... anyway, we don't know how to cook it.. any advice, recipes, or help could really help us a lot! Thank ya!

[Happy Shrew]

You can use tofu for anything. :)

If you want to do a stir fry, you'll want firm tofu. If you want something with more of a scrambled egg texture, you'll want soft. If you blend a package of each with some white pepper, lemon juice and a couple other spices, it tastes remarkably like ricotta cheese, which makes for a good start at vegan lasagna.

One thing that I like, though I've never made it myself, is fried tofu. Chinese restaurants usually have it. I guess you just cut it into bite-sized chunks and pan fry it until it's golden.

The main thing about tofu is that, by itself, it's very bland. It relies on what it's cooked with for its flavor, so whatever you try to use it in, make sure it's flavorful and has a bit of juice the tofu can soak up. Beyond that, just experiment and see what happens!

[LadyTrinity]

The last time I had tofu it was rubbery and spongy.. and was like hmm eating dry "fake" unbreaded rubbery chicken fingers. It tasted really herby and grainy. I didnt like it.. I duno how that tofu was cooked butt there's gotta be a better way! 8O

[Auroro]

Thanks a bunch! Very helpful indeed! hehe.

[Kaija]

I always liked tofu shakes.. the soft tofu, blened with frozen (or I suppose fresh would work) fruit.. sugar if you want it a bit sweeter.. (I use raw cane sugar).. very very good.... *thinking it's time I went and bought a blender so I can do that again*

[Kudzu]

Add it anywhere you would have used bits of meat. Like in stir-fry, soup, etc.

[Rayzer]

we grill it. You gotta use the firm tofu though. Just marinate it in like teriyaki sauce and throw it on the grill

[Rayzer]

One thing that I like, though I've never made it myself, is fried tofu. Chinese restaurants usually have it.
So do Thai. http://www.arthurhungry.com/pictures/jan05/fried-tofu-thumb.jpg

[Sea-Witch]

I don't like tofu as a meat substitute. I prefer seitan, tvp, commercial veggie 'meats' [like Yves or LightLife] and beans for that.

I do, however, love silken tofu as a dairy/egg substitute where it is blended with other ingredients and then used in a recipe. ie: cheeze sauce, omelets, corn custard, potato salad, cheezecake, ice cream, etc.

[Happy Shrew]

Ah yes, seitan! That stuff's really fun to make, and you can do all sorts of fun stuff with it. Plus you can do evil word plays with it:
http://www.nexternal.com/vegane/images/SeitanShirt1.jpg

[Rhianna813]

Here is a favorite summer tofu recipe if you like mexican food. Basically it's a fajaita.

Cut firm tofu into half inch cubes.
Chop onions, red and green peppers into long strips. You can use frozen veggies if you want.
Saute veggies and tofu in a little olive oil. Sprinkle some taco seasoning right from the package over the food and mix well. Keep cooking until the veggies are grilled looking and well seasoned. Don't worry about the tofu - it will be ready when the veggies are.

Scope your mixture into a tortilla and add your favorite toppings like olives, salsa, avocado, sour cream.... roll it up and eat. This mixture keeps well in the fridge for leftovers too.

Also like some others mentioned soy is used for more than just tofu. Tempeh is one of my favorites and can be used in recipes similar to beef I guess. I add it to spaghetti sauce. Also there are some great lunch "meats" made of soy that go great on sandwhiches! Yves is my favorite brand:

http://www.yvesveggie.com/home.php (http://www.yvesveggie.com/home.php)

And of course Boca burgers are great for the "hamburger" experience. http://www.bocaburger.com (http://www.bocaburger.com)

Pretty much with soy products you are getting an excellent source of protein that is very lean and low calorie.

Good luck and happy eating!

Rhianna

[Rudas Starblaze]

Hey all...

Just a question. I've been wanting to become a vegetarian for a long time... and my mom wants to get some Tofu... anyway, we don't know how to cook it.. any advice, recipes, or help could really help us a lot! Thank ya!


so why do you want to become a vegetarian? im a plants rights activist myself. im mean come on, those poor little things dont even have legs to try to run away. atleast an animal has a sporting chance! :)

[acorn elf]

I don't like meat substitutes, really. I eat tofu in things like stir fry and pad thai (there it's deep-fried until golden--pretty good, I say ^^)

I would suggest not relying on meat substitutes, though. Eat plenty of lentils, peanut butter^^*, and other things in addition. Know what's good? Falafel. you can eat in in pita or use it for veggie burgers.