Plant-based diets are growing in popularity, but you can enjoy a vegan meal even if you eat meat. Tofu, which is made from curdled soy milk, is a commonly known vegetarian protein with a bad reputation. People complain about tofu being bland, rubbery, and unappetizing. However, it is possible for tofu to be delicious if you cook it right. These three tips will help you to cook amazing tofu.
- Press
Firm and extra-firm tofu have the best texture if excess water is pressed out of it. To do this, start by draining a package of tofu. Next, wrap it in several layers of paper towels or a cloth towel and put it on a plate. You will need to use some kind of weight to press the water out of the tofu. Anything from a stack of heavy books to a cast iron skillet filled with cans of food can be used for this purpose. You will want to leave the weights on the tofu for at least 20 minutes. After pressing, the tofu should have a more solid texture.
- Marinate
Tofu doesn’t have much of a flavor on its own, but it excels at absorbing other flavorful ingredients. You could simmer the tofu in a savory curry sauce, or marinate it in soy sauce before frying or roasting. When deciding what to use for a marinade, think of adding both flavor and saltiness. Soy sauce is a great ingredient because it contributes both salt and umami flavor. Plain soy sauce will be absorbed by the pressed tofu very quickly. You could also marinate tofu in a mixture of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha, or use any marinade recipe that you normally use for meat. A miso glaze would also be tasty. Once you have marinated the tofu, it is time to cook it.
- Cook
There are lots of ways to cook tofu, and the cooking method will affect the flavor and texture of the finished dish. Tofu will be soft if you cook it in a lot of liquid, but if you roast it in the oven, it will have a firm, chewy texture. For the best chewy tofu, place marinated tofu strips or cubes on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Spray the tops of the tofu pieces as well. Bake in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Then, flip each piece over and bake for another 20 minutes. Tofu can also be fried in a skillet or even deep-fried. As tofu doesn’t have much fat of its own, the fat added by frying can make it taste delicious. Both fried and oven baked tofu can be made with or without breading. You could also grill marinated tofu.
Are you not the biggest fan of tofu? Maybe you will find that you like it if it is cooked a certain way. As tofu is generally cheaper than meat, it’s certainly worth trying.
