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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

OP posts:
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Whydoeseveryonewanttoargue · 03/01/2025 14:26

magicalmrmistoffelees · 03/01/2025 13:37

Why are some people so shocked that other people don’t like something that they like?

Right ? And then have to repeatedly point out how you are wrong for not doing so

ErrolTheDragon · 03/01/2025 14:05

Have a packet of sausages and some baked beans in reserve if you value your relationship.

Why would baked beans be more acceptable to a 'committed carnivore' than many of the other suggestions on this thread? Fwiw they're the reason my DH thought he hated all beans till he was about 60!Grin

ClosetBasketCase · 03/01/2025 13:52

leave him be, I literally cant eat tofu, lentils, beans or pulses, or cruciferous veggies. if he needs protien then you need to stick to a high meat content. everything else has protien, but not sufficient. let him eat meat.

Whydoeseveryonewanttoargue · 03/01/2025 13:48

Haroldwilson · 03/01/2025 13:35

But the TEXTURE changes depending on the type of tofu and how it's cooked. It can be anything from jerky to jelly and everything in between.

Totally right. Have tried it multiple ways and still hate it. I can still tell it’s tofu in origin.

Why is it so hard to believe that not everyone loves tofu and if they don’t they can’t cook, haven’t tried it enough ways etc.

Meadowfinch · 03/01/2025 13:47

YABU Delicious & tofu don't belong in the same sentence.

I'll eat tofu if there genuinely is nothing else, I'll quite happy to eat a lot of veggie foods but when ex's new woman went on a veggie kick and tried to feed tofu to my teen ds (also a dedicated carnivore) he walked out and made his own way home.

Try your dp with a decent four cheese pizza instead. He'll moan but he may not refuse to eat it. Have a packet of sausages and some baked beans in reserve if you value your relationship.

magicalmrmistoffelees · 03/01/2025 13:37

Why are some people so shocked that other people don’t like something that they like?

Haroldwilson · 03/01/2025 13:35

Whydoeseveryonewanttoargue · 03/01/2025 12:37

Irrespective of how it’s cooked and the taste it is the TEXTURE. Some people like the taste of mushrooms but it’s the texture they don’t like, same with halloumi.

Why is it so offensive that people don’t like tofu and come under attack for not cooking it properly etc.

I’m sure the poster can cook - but really how would we know.?

But the TEXTURE changes depending on the type of tofu and how it's cooked. It can be anything from jerky to jelly and everything in between.

user2848502016 · 03/01/2025 13:05

I have a veggie DD and we do eat veggie quite a lot, probably 4 nights a week on average.
I really don't like tofu much though and it wouldn't be the thing I'd choose for temptation!
I'd make a nice veggie curry with chickpeas or lentils, or just a veggie pasta or roasted veg lasagne. Veggie mince chilli or bolognese could work too - use a good quality veggie mince like meatless farm

lolawasashowgirl · 03/01/2025 12:42

This is an interesting chat! If you're hoping to encourage your husband to eat more vegetarian meals then I wouldn't start with tofu as although I personally love it it takes practice/ experience to learn how to flavour it well. I also would avoid replacing all meat / fish / dairy with fake alternatives as Irrespective of people's beliefs around veganism / vegetarianism I think it's important to recognise that fake meat and dairy products aren't healthy substitutes due to their ultra processed characteristics.

I'd probably start off by introducing him to pulse and nut based dishes that contain some dairy so he recognises some 'traditional' flavours in there eg veg lasagne made with lentils, bean chilli topped with cheese and sour cream say. When you make a roast meal you could make yourself a nut roast and serve him a piece alongside the meat as a sort of 'stuffing' to try. You could then start experimenting with more unusual dishes.

The other thing to say is all pulses are not the same - you get what you pay for in terms of flavour / texture. I now always buy organic tinned pulses or the jarred ones aa they are massively superior quality wise. They cost more but if you're not paying for as much meat and fish you probably won't notice the difference in terms of what you spend.

Tempeh, seitan and tofu are really ancient protein foods that have been used by thousands of people from other cultures across the world for hundreds of years. They aren't ultra processed and are incredibly nutritious. If you want to give them a try I'd probably start with some of the pre-flavoured tofu and tempeh pieces that you can buy in most supermarkets.

pinkroses79 · 03/01/2025 12:41

I'm vegetarian and find it hard to cook tofu so that I actually like the taste! I've had it in many restaurants and it's been nice though.
I live with someone who eats meat. I often cook the base meal (pasta sauce, curry, chilli etc.) and they can add whatever protein they want to it,.

Whydoeseveryonewanttoargue · 03/01/2025 12:37

RampantIvy · 03/01/2025 08:17

I'd rather eat dirt than the inedible bland and depressing garbage that I see listed here as vegan food.

You really can't cook can you?

Yes, tofu doesn't have much taste, neither does plain boiled rice, plain boiled potatoes, plain couscous, plain boiled pasta etc. These all need the addition of seasoning, sauces, spices or other flavourings to make them taste good. I bet you don't eat unseasoned plain boiled chicken or fish do you?

Vegan, vegetarian and meat based foods can all be plain and tasteless or they can be full of flavour. You just need a good recipe, some imagination and an open mind.

I am an omnivore and enjoy a slow roast shoulder of lamb as much as the tofu taco recipe I posted earlier.

Irrespective of how it’s cooked and the taste it is the TEXTURE. Some people like the taste of mushrooms but it’s the texture they don’t like, same with halloumi.

Why is it so offensive that people don’t like tofu and come under attack for not cooking it properly etc.

I’m sure the poster can cook - but really how would we know.?

ErrolTheDragon · 03/01/2025 12:32

Classee · 03/01/2025 11:56

This vegan bolognese with lentils is delicious. Even my meat loving DS actually prefers this to beef bolognese.

rainbowplantlife.com/10-ingredient-vegan-red-lentil-bolognese/

That sounds nice, I'd be inclined to use the other soffrito elements of a bit of very finely chopped carrot and celery as well as the onion I think.

Technonan · 03/01/2025 12:29

A lot of fake meat is very highly processed. Best avoided.

A good pasta pomodoro is delicious and is often my choice, though I am neither veggie nor vegan. Felicity Cloake's recipe is a favourite with my family and it's very easy. How to cook the perfect pasta al pomodoro | Felicity Cloake

Pizza can be veggie and excellent.

Tofu is a flavour carrier. Include it in a tasty sauce and it gives some meat-like texture, but it has very little flavour itself.

How to cook the perfect pasta al pomodoro | Felicity Cloake | Recetas, The guardian

How to make the perfect pasta al pomodoro

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/how-to-cook-the-perfect-pasta-al-pomodoro--511721576406965736/

Jk987 · 03/01/2025 12:07

Laserwho · 02/01/2025 22:52

Let him eat what he wants to eat. How would you feel if he forced you to eat meat. I'm betting you wouldn't approve. So don't do it to him.

No one needs meat every day! Bad for health and environment.

Fifthtimelucky · 03/01/2025 11:56

Someone recommended this to me once. Might be worth a looking to see if you can find anything he might fancy.

www.happyveggiekitchen.com/

Classee · 03/01/2025 11:56

This vegan bolognese with lentils is delicious. Even my meat loving DS actually prefers this to beef bolognese.

rainbowplantlife.com/10-ingredient-vegan-red-lentil-bolognese/

DataColour · 03/01/2025 11:55

Tofu doesn't have an inherent taste, it's pretty innocuous. It's the sauces and flavourings that make it. I quite like the texture of it though and my kids are fans of it, so we have it about once a week.
Meera Sodha does some nice recipes with tofu. Love the silken tofu with aubergine with tahini and crispy chilli oil. Also her mapo tofu and chilli tofu is great.

tamade · 03/01/2025 11:54

Tofu is alright as an addition to a diet, as it is used in China, I eat it in some form regularly, daily even. But it is part of a dish not just a replacement for the meat. Why not look up some Chinese recipes that use tofu, you can reduce your meat consumption and hopefully both enjoy the food. Assuming you’re not ideologically motivated.
ma po dofu, braised cabbage and tofu, braised pork and doupi, sliced vegetables with tofu skin and pork slices.

Maddy70 · 03/01/2025 11:53

I can't stand the texture of tofu...gross. So many better veggie alternatives

EveryOtherNameTaken · 03/01/2025 11:49

I doubt it. Try some really good veggie meals instead like 3 bean chilli or lentil shepherds pie.

If you do do tofu maybe crisp it up on top of stir fry noodles and veg.

Whydoeseveryonewanttoargue · 03/01/2025 11:43

RampantIvy · 03/01/2025 05:44

Sorry, but narrow mindedness about veganism is like a red rag to a bull to me.

It's usually people who lack imagination or who can't think outside of the meat and two veg box or who only like a bland diet who come up with fatuous and ignorant comments like this.

And I say this as an omnivore.

Wow okay! Just so you are good - I have had lots of vegan dishes, eaten at vegan restaurants and cooked it myself many times. I stand by my statement personally.

Not narrow minded at all but thanks for the assumption.

Not everyone has to love the taste of tofu.

MadamePeriwinkle · 03/01/2025 11:41

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!

There are so many nicer options, and if you're considering veggie as well that makes it even easier.

QuestionableMouse · 03/01/2025 11:40

onefootinfrontoftheotherbabe · 03/01/2025 07:41

So many saying Tofu is rank
You just don’t know how to cook it.

When you think about it, eating dead animal is quite rank.

I've had it cooked by a very good chef.

The issue is it gives me violent stomach cramps and then the shits.

bloodredfeaturewall · 03/01/2025 11:38

we did veganuary a few years back
wouldn't want to be vegan or even vegetarian but we drastically reduced our meat consumption.

one tofu thing we have kept up is blitzing peanuts & crumbly tofu as pasta/oven dish topping instead of cheese.

WasteOfPaint · 03/01/2025 11:35

So much disinformation on this thread. Tofu isn't fake meat, it's certainly not ultra processed. And large regions of the world make meals with it that are very far from bland.

Try something like peanut butter tofu or black pepper tofu.

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