Tofu for beginners?

[Hopelesslydevotedtoshrews]

Morning all, I'm keen to start incorporating tofu into my diet, but no idea where or how to start. I tried some Cauldron ready made spiced tofu, but it tasted like any other highly salted UPF with additional strange texture.

Do any of you have any tofu for dummies recipes? I know there are different types and I'm not trying to make it taste like a meat substitute, just any simple recipes that will show tofu off to it's best advantage would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance ❤️

There are some nice tofu recipes in the green roasting tin book. The smoked tofu from tofoo is really nice. I like tofu with a sweet and sour sauce. You cut it into cubes and cover it in cornflour then fry it to make it crisp. If you Google you should find some nice marinades to use with tofu as well - it's very plain so it needs some decent flavouring.

I love tofu.

I find it's better cooked in an air fryer.

lianaskitchen.co.uk/air-fryer-tofu/

This is a very nice easy one by Elly Pear, I would get the Tofoo Tofu as it is easier to cook with and doesn't need pressing like a lot of other Tofu does.

http://www.thepearcafe.com/recipes/2015/2/23/marinated-tofu

@Dombasle I have wondered how Tofu would be in an air fryer, I think it would work out quite well but I am paranoid about the chemicals used in the coating on air fryers but will need to do some research on them as tofu can be a pain to get crispy if you don't want to deep fry it.

This is very good, but I use much less butter ( about 1/4 of what the recipe calls for)
and to save time, I just shallow fry the naked tofu to get it a bit crispy instead of dusting with cornflour first etc
https://ottolenghi.co.uk/recipes/black-pepper-tofu-a

I also use tofu instead of chicken in Thai curries etc , or with fried noodle and rice

Tofu is not a UPF. I do it in the air fryer and it’s a game changer cooked that way!

Smoked tofu and black bean chili is a staple here, really easy and you can adapt to tastes and what you have in https://tofoo.co.uk/recipes/chilli-con-tofu-for-under-5/

I need to find an air fryer that doesn't trigger my toxin paranoia, time to make my own thread!

I had it in curry if that helps, It has no taste to me so not sure the point of it but of course people like it

Ive really tried with tofu, I really have

Only buy the toofoo one so that apparently its easier and absorbs flavours better

I have marinated with all sorts of flavours but ultimately it is still very bland

I have to eat quite a high protien diet and struggle with animal protiens so was advised to try tofu, I wouldnt say its particularly easier to eat for me and its quite bland so it hasnt fulfilled the brief very well

naomedical.com/info/are-air-fryers-toxic-debunking-myths-facts.html#:~:text=Myth%3A%20Air%20Fryers%20Release%20Harmful,However%2C%20this%20is%20not%20true.

Yeah people say that about all sorts of things that do turn out to be toxic or harmful to one's health so I would rather avoid regular use of things with those kinds of coatings. Its a personal choice and not one I am forcing on others.

The Ottolenghi black pepper recipe above is delicious... and Meera Sodha's chilli tofu is also https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/oct/21/chilli-tofu-recipe-vegan-meera-sodha. And - Taifun smoked tofu is delicious sliced, fried & in a sandwich with tomato & avocado... maybe some chilli sauce...

Brilliant, thank you all 😘

I live on tofu. I slice it thin, fry in hot oil and then remove from heat, add soy sauce and sometimes nooch.

I eat this as a snack. Or as part of a meal

Silken tofu is nice with avocado, spring onion and soy sauce, toasted nuts sprinkled on top or with a creamy sesame dressing. It's got a slight earthy nutty flavour and a wibbly blancmange texture.

You can also put it in consommé style soups, just have to be very gentle because it will break up very easily.

Chinese people also eat silken tofu as a dessert, hot with golden syrup drizzled on it, makes sense as it's got a very mild flavour and texture like set custard.

You can make dango (mochi on a stick) with it too, or a chocolate mousse type thing.

It's a great product as it's shelf stable so I always have a few blocks in the cupboard.

I love tofu. Never ever thought I'd hear myself say that!

Some of my favourites -

Cannellini bean stew and pesto tofu.
Chop up a red onion and a pepper and cook until soft. Add as many cherry tomatoes as you want ( I use a punnet for the 2 of us) along with a tin of cannellini beans (drained) add some vegetable stock and a tablespoon of harissa paste. I also add chilli flakes and garlic powder. Let that simmer away ensuring the beans are cooked. Meanwhile slice your pressed tofu ( I like the Wicked brand from Tesco) and put it in the airfryer for 8 mins, flip it and put it in another 5. Remove it and top with pesto and then pop it back in for another 5.

I also enjoy tofu through spicy peanut stir-fry using red onion, baby sweetcorn and mange tout. I press the tofu and marinate in soy sauce and garlic powder. Once cooked I top of with crispy chilli oil.

It's great breaded and used in place of chicken for a ceaser salad. I like to press it and then rip it up rather than cube it. Coat it in milk and then toss it in panko breadcrumbs. Again cooked in the airfryer.

i am vegan and eat a lot of tofu, I heartily second the meets sodha and Ottolenghi recipes above - both delicious, as are all the green roasting tin ones as a pp has mentioned.

my tip to add: I can never manage to fry tofu without it sticking and disintegrating.

Alternatively (and more healthily), instead I pour some sesame oil, soy sauce and sweet chilli oil on a plate with a lip, swoosh it around a bit so it mixes then put on a pile of cubed tofu. Move it around so it gets soaked with the mixture then put on a tray lined with baking paper. Roast in a moderate oven until crisp and slightly browned, then add to whatever you’re making. It’s really delicious - the tofu soaks up all the flavors.

I scramble (cut into tiny pieces and fry in olive oil) with turmeric, chilli jam and soy sauce. Add a few peppers and spring onion. Serve with rice and gyoza or bao buns.

Miso aubergine & tofu from the green roasting tin is my current favourite - in winter when aubergines aren't in season I coat tofu, squash & leeks in the same mix from the recipe & shallow fry which is equally delicious
aubergines & tofu

I like the silken tofu drained and stirred straight from the packet into cooked vegetable rice with some soy sauce.

Some great ideas here actually! I'll have a look for myself.

I like tofu scrambled on brown toast, side of avocado. My go to is air fryer tofu...marinate cubes in maple syrup, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, Chinese five spice, garlic powder and onion powder. Line basket with parchment, cook on high for at least 20 mins, stirring half way through.

I've only started to enjoy home cooked tofu in the last couple of years, and even so I still have some misses. I love all of these recipes though. If you aren't a huge fan of the taste or texture of tofu, then Felicity Cloake's vegan ragù is perfect.I chopped up the tofu and vegetables into a fine dice. The recipe is rich and delicious, and while tofu gives it body and texture, it's not dominant so perfect if you're more of a tofu sceptic.

Meera Sodha's vegan banh mi is more tofu forward than the ragu, it's an absolute banger, and as the tofu is finely chopped/minced, it might be a good intro dish. It's sharp, spicy, crunchy, fresh and comes together so quickly. It's probably my favourite tofu recipe.

My favourite tofu forward recipe is the aforementioned Ottolenghi black pepper tofu. It's amazing. Totally packed with flavour and the firey sauce pairs so well with the relatively bland tofu.

This is really nice and super-easy - braised tofu.