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AIBU?

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Original poster

To tempt a carnivore with tofu?

280 replies

Tofunoo · 02/01/2025 22:47

My DP is a committed carnivore but I’d like to eat more vegan/veggie food without us having to make 2 dinners when I do that. Is there any chance I can tempt him over with something deliciously tofu? I have found 2 nice recipes for tofu chilli and bolognaise but he wasn’t keen. Lots of the tofu recipes I’ve found either are deep fried or full of sugar, so not super healthy. Any ideas?!

YABU-DP will never eat vegan

YANBU- there’s hope

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BusyMum47 · 05/01/2025 23:32

magicalmrmistoffelees · 02/01/2025 22:48

Tofu is rank. Why not try and tempt him with one of the many other delicious vegan foods available?

This! ⬆️ Tofu is like chewing a wet, tasteless sponge!!

There are loads of really nice meat-free options out there now- my very carnivorous husband & fussy teenagers happily scoff 'veggie' meals at least twice p.wk. - I certainly don't cook different meals for all!

onefootinfrontoftheotherbabe · 05/01/2025 22:50

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 05/01/2025 18:13

Good quality organic tinned stuff in bpa free tin can be brilliant. But of course each to their own. Always have a few tins of tomatoes and pulses in the cupboard to add to things!

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Yes, so do I.
I just meant I’ve never used tinned lentils as usually cook them in dishes iyswim, hence I was confused about the brine.

I have used Puy Lentils in a sachet though (Merchant)

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 05/01/2025 18:13

onefootinfrontoftheotherbabe · 05/01/2025 18:11

Ah ok. I don’t, and never would, use tinned

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Good quality organic tinned stuff in bpa free tin can be brilliant. But of course each to their own. Always have a few tins of tomatoes and pulses in the cupboard to add to things!

onefootinfrontoftheotherbabe · 05/01/2025 18:11

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 05/01/2025 17:59

The tin liquid if using tinned i guess? I rinse most tinned things to get that taste out.

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Ah ok. I don’t, and never would, use tinned

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 05/01/2025 17:59

onefootinfrontoftheotherbabe · 05/01/2025 17:57

What brine?

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The tin liquid if using tinned i guess? I rinse most tinned things to get that taste out.

onefootinfrontoftheotherbabe · 05/01/2025 17:57

Pinkissmart · 04/01/2025 21:11

I find they retain a bit of the brine-y taste if they’re not rinsed. It’s just personal preference really☺️

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What brine?

Katemax82 · 04/01/2025 22:37

Tofunoo · 02/01/2025 22:50

Fair enough. Any ideas?

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Paneer

Elphame · 04/01/2025 21:36

Lentils are always really dusty which is why I rinse them before using

Pinkissmart · 04/01/2025 21:11

Cornecopia · 02/01/2025 23:10

I am trying to minimise my meat intake so am looking at vegan/veggie recipes. May I ask why the lentils need rinsing well?

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I find they retain a bit of the brine-y taste if they’re not rinsed. It’s just personal preference really☺️

Globusmedia · 04/01/2025 11:39

OnceMoreWithAttitude · 03/01/2025 10:59

Remember tofu in its original state is flavourless,

But it isn’t .

The responses of some pp on this thread are exactly what earn vegan zealots the stereotypes.

Some people whether omnivore, veggie or vegan do not like tofu.

We are not ‘unimaginative’, we are not thick, or cookery numpties, we have tried it in all sorts of forms, recipes and contexts.

Telling us it is an ‘acquired’ taste assumes it’s just a matter of us changing our minds and acquiring the same taste as you.

It is a legitimate food response to not like tofu. You are not running a cult, you don’t have to try and sign us up as tofu worshippers.

Maybe, but it's a pretty legitimate response to a thread asking 'how can I prepare tofu so someone might like it?'

In case you forgot what thread you were in and just wanted to have a go at vegans.

TwinklyStarlight · 04/01/2025 11:27

Mymblesdaughter · 03/01/2025 20:01

Cut tofu into smallish chunks and roast in the oven with yeast flakes and soy sauce. Then you can add to other dishes. It's so easy and tastes so good!

@Mymblesdaughter thanks for this. Literally just yeast flakes and soy sauce? What's the texture like without oil?

ETA don't worry think I have found a recipe https://frommybowl.com/crispy-tofu-recipe/

SALaw · 04/01/2025 08:22

I've been vegetarian for over 30 years and couldn't be "tempted" with tofu

RampantIvy · 04/01/2025 08:20

Many people find wholly vegan food bland or over carby, especially as it often requires reliance on heavy seasoning with chilli or salt.

@PerditaLaChien we don't eat bland food anyway. Even when eating meat or fish I will add various seasonings, herbs, spices etc.

I think your argument only holds water if you only eat plain food. Do you eat plain boiled rice or pasta or unseasoned chicken without flavourings or some kind of sauce, or do you make them more interesting? Tofu is bland so I add something to it to give it flavour.

Your analogy is flawed.

PerditaLaChien · 04/01/2025 07:34

Cut tofu into smallish chunks and roast in the oven with yeast flakes and soy sauce. Then you can add to other dishes. It's so easy and tastes so good!

All you are tasting is the seasonings and not the actual tofu.

Omnivores are used to a more flavourful palate - something like chicken cooked with soy would be much tastier as the chicken brings its own flavour. Vegans often get used to the blandness but if you regularly eat animal protein a vegan meal can be really disappointing taste wise.

PerditaLaChien · 04/01/2025 07:28

Yabu tofu is rank.

I find the easiest way to reduce overall meat consumption is to reduce the proportion of meat in a recipe instead. Many people find wholly vegan food bland or over carby, especially as it often requires reliance on heavy seasoning with chilli or salt.
You can achieve the same effect as having one vegan meal & one omnivore meal splitting one portion of animal protein across two meals and it all tastes far better.

ueberlin2030 · 04/01/2025 07:22

Tofu is vile.
There's loads of better vegan options.

ErrolTheDragon · 04/01/2025 07:21

Nanof8 · 04/01/2025 05:51

I'm not understanding why you need to make 2 meals if you want to eat vegan.
I am not much of a meat eater and I cook meat dishes for DH and DC, but I just eat the rest of the meal.
Also jackfruit is something I use as a meat substitute at times, usually when making tacos.

It seemed pretty clear to me I have to have quite a bit of protein (been advised by Dr) so have to pad it out
So just not having the meat or using something like jackfruit which may substitute for meat in terms of taste and texture but not in protein won't do.

SparklesGlitter · 04/01/2025 05:55

Yucky! Not tofu, he’ll never get on board with that.

I don’t like meat substitutes. Partly because I don’t see the point. My go too would be a veggie and bean chilli or something like that

Nanof8 · 04/01/2025 05:51

I'm not understanding why you need to make 2 meals if you want to eat vegan.
I am not much of a meat eater and I cook meat dishes for DH and DC, but I just eat the rest of the meal.
Also jackfruit is something I use as a meat substitute at times, usually when making tacos.

EmmaMaria · 03/01/2025 21:34

I'm not veggie, but nor am I a carnivore. I'd rather starve than eat tofu.

RampantIvy · 03/01/2025 21:32

IhadaStripeyDeckchair · 03/01/2025 21:20

You will never tempted anyone with tofu because it's disgusting and nothing you do to it will change that.

I can't stand fake meat - there are so many great veggie dishes you don't need to use the fake meat.

I'm not a fan of fake meat either

Tofu isn't fake meat. It is another form of protein, as is cheese for example.

IhadaStripeyDeckchair · 03/01/2025 21:20

You will never tempted anyone with tofu because it's disgusting and nothing you do to it will change that.

I can't stand fake meat - there are so many great veggie dishes you don't need to use the fake meat.

ErrolTheDragon · 03/01/2025 21:12

@NeverDropYourMooncup ... true enough re dogs. Them refusing quorn 'ham' speaks volumes!

But the relevance was that dogs, although (all too) omnivorous do generally major on meat. I wonder if anyone has a cat who likes tofu?

Mymblesdaughter · 03/01/2025 20:01

Cut tofu into smallish chunks and roast in the oven with yeast flakes and soy sauce. Then you can add to other dishes. It's so easy and tastes so good!

magicalmrmistoffelees · 03/01/2025 19:54

mumbruh · 03/01/2025 19:48

Not being funny but I make a lot of vegan meals and don't tell my dp, he doesn't know, I tell him afterwards though, it's how you cook it and season it!

What does he think he’s eating then?

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