How To Cook Tofu

Wondering what is the best way to cook Tofu? Which kind of tofu should you try? Tofu sometimes has a reputation as being a food to avoid for its boring taste (or lack thereof) and bothersome texture. In truth, it is a super versatile ingredient. Tofu can be used in every course of a meal, from soups to salads, from main dishes to desserts. Here are a few ideas for how to use tofu in ways that compliment its properties and enhance its flavor.

Raw Tofu

There are a number of ways to use raw tofu, most involving salads and desserts. If you don’t have anything against the taste, you can crumble firm tofu into your favorite salad. Just ½ cup of tofu will give you 25% of your daily protein and 22% of your daily calcium – it doesn’t take much to make a significant nutritional difference! Tofu doesn’t have much of a taste at all and tends to take on the taste of what you add it to. 

If you are still not a fan of the flavor of tofu, however, all is not lost. Crumble your tofu into a mixture of red wine vinegar and olive oil, combined with some salt, lemon juice, and your preferred spices to create a feta effect for your salad.

Another way to use raw tofu is to blend it into desserts. There are different ways to make puddings and mousses with silken tofu. After my husband’s open heart surgery he learned about the Pritikin Diet at cardiac rehab. One of the dessert recipes they teach is for tofu chocolate mousse. If you didn’t know it was liken tofu in it you wouldn’t be able to tell! Silken tofu gives desserts a rich, creamy flavour – no one will know it’s not dairy. It can be used in smoothies, cookies, and even as one of the main ingredients in vegan cheesecake! 

Cooked Tofu

It would be impossible to list off all of the uses for cooked tofu. Many people are probably use to trying tofu in miso soup or Chinese food dishes that serve the tofu braised. Another great dish that uses tofu is at Thai restaurants in their pad thai noodles. Another of the most popular recipes incorporating it is lasagne. If using firm tofu, you can simply crumble it into your tomato sauce, or you can slice it thinly and use it as a layer on its own, among the noodles and any other vegetables you like. This delicious recipe calls for both firm and soft tofu to be mashed together in order to imitate the texture of ricotta cheese.

Hot and Sour Soup is another popular meal that benefits from the addition of tofu. Because of its porous surface, tofu tends to absorb the flavors surrounding it, and thus works magnificently in most soups to enhance the overall flavor, plus boosts the protein. 

If you’re feeling adventurous, tofu can easily become the focus of a dish, rather than being only an addition. Try marinating thick slices of tofu in your favourite spices, or brush it with barbeque sauce and throw it on the grill. Try breading it with olive oil, breadcrumbs, and seasoning, and bake it in the oven. The options are endless, so take your pick and gain a new appreciation for a previously misunderstood ingredient! All of these would be delicious meatless dishes. 

Here are some other posts you might like:

The Best Vegan Recipes for New Vegans

Homemade Beet Chips Using An Air Fryer

Vegan Black Bean, Corn and Sweet Potato Tacos With Roasted Poblano “Crema”

The Best Foods To Help Lower Cholesterol

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