Tofu is a great ingredient for all those who are averse to milk and its products. It is very similar to cottage cheese that is made of milk. However, it is a more healthy option. It is a first rate source of protein and has very less calories. It is also free of cholesterol and fat and a good source of calcium and iron as well. It can be prepared in any way you want. If you are concerned about your health, you can easily include tofu in your daily diet. Tofu is made from soya milk and is available in packaged form everywhere. However, it is a healthier option to make fresh tofu at home instead of buying pre-packaged tofu. It is also very easy to cook. Let’s see how easily you can prepare it.
Complexity Level: Basic
Time Required: 25-30 minutes
Resources Required:
1. Soy milk
2. Natural calcium sulfate
3. A cheese or muslin cloth
Instructions:
1. Making tofu from soy milk
Simmer the soy milk for 5 minutes, then cool it till lukewarm. Add the sulfate that will act as a coagulant. Let it stand for about 20 minutes. You will see small curds of tofu that has formed. Line a mould with the cloth and pour in the tofu. Cover the container and put a little weight on it. Let it rest for 20 minutes. Take the block of tofu out and let it rest for another hour. To get a firmer texture, freeze the tofu. It will have a firmer texture once thawed.
2. Get the water out
Drain the tofu properly before you start preparing a dish with it. Draining the tofu would ensure that the spices are soaked up in it.
3. Pre-cooking or marinating the tofu
It is very simple to precook the tofu. You can stir-fry it, grill it or toast it. Test the firmness of the skin of tofu by poking it with the spatula. Pre-cooking the tofu ensures that the it doesn’t get broken break during cooking. Alternately, you may marinate the tofu with spices and seasoning before cooking it.
4. Preparing/cooking the tofu
You can prepare a sauce that is subtle and flavorful for tofu. Tofu has a very delicate taste, so you should be careful not to drown the taste in strong-flavored spices. Alternately, you may add tofu to a sandwich or a soup, and even use crumbled tofu as a garnish to noodles. You can even use tofu in desserts by blending it to a smooth paste.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Why is tofu important in a diet?
Tofu provides protein to vegetarians who do not eat meat. Also, it is good as an alternative to cottage cheese for those who are lactose intolerant. However, the most important feature of tofu is that it is cholesterol free and is nutritious. This makes tofu a much-needed ingredient in your regular diet.
2. How do I know what type of tofu to buy?
If you are not making tofu at home, you will have the option of buying tofu from the market. There are different varieties of tofu available in the market. The silken tofu can be used for desserts, dips and smoothies. The firm tofu is good for grills and stir fries. The soft tofu is good for tofu patties, burgers and for crumbling for garnishes.
3. Is it necessary to freeze the tofu?
You may freeze the tofu and then thaw it if you want a texture that is more firm. However, this is not necessary and you may easily use the tofu as it is.
4. Why is it necessary to drain out the water?
The water needs to be drained out properly from the tofu so that the spices and seasoning can seep in completely.
5. How do I make tofu with eggs?
To make a scrambled dish of tofu and eggs, drain 16-oz tofu. Mash it and season it. Separately, chop mixed vegetables and sauté them in oil in a pan for about a min, till the vegetables are softened. In a bowl, beat 3 whole eggs. Add the eggs and the mashed tofu into the pan. Stir till the eggs are scrambled. Spoon the mixture in plates along with diced tomatoes and toast. Serve hot.
Quick Tips:
1. Draining the tofu completely as it is essential for a good tofu dish.
2. Tofu is a versatile ingredient, so you can experiment vastly with it.
3. It is better to purchase fresh tofu if you are not making it at home. The fresher the tofu, the better it tastes.
4. If you are buying tofu instead of making it, choose the variety that will suit your purpose.
5. When cooking it to add it in soups or salads, it is a good idea to cut it into bite sized pieces that will be easier to manage.
Things To Watch Out For:
1. If you are making tofu at home, make sure not to add too much coagulant as that will make the tofu harder.
2. Freezing the tofu and then thawing it may make the tofu denser and more fibrous.
3. Do not marinate the tofu for a long time. It is highly absorbent, so the longer you marinate, the more strong will it taste.
4. Try not to use too much salt, sugar or spices for the tofu. It has a delicate and subtle taste and may be easily overpowered by stronger tasting flavors.
5. Make sure the tofu is properly drained; otherwise the flavors will not soak in properly.
