All about tofu

Tofu is a must-have for me in my vegan life.

But what is it? How do you use it? Why is it soggy?

This blog post is all about tofu.

What is tofu?

Tofu is condensed soy milk. One serving of tofu contains 8 grams of protein, 2 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 4 grams of fat, and is only 70 calories. It also contains helpful amounts of magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.



Types of Tofu?

Silken tofu- This is smooth, custard-like tofu. You can use it in smoothies or as a replacement for eggs in baking.

Regular tofu- Soft to Super Firm

The softer the tofu is, the easier it will be to blend into smoothie recipes. If you need a custard or smoothie, soft tofu is your best bet. I've also used soft tofu for a bleu-cheese-like substitute.

Super firm tofu holds its shape really well. If you are new at tofu, I would recommend using extra firm or super firm tofu. There will be less water to press out. However, if you are grilling it or cooking it over the stove, it can dry out very easily.

Why is it soggy? 

Tofu is packaged in water. If you do not use all of your tofu, you will want to store it in a container with fresh water inside. It helps keep the tofu fresh and tasty.

However, you NEED to drain it before cooking it.

Tofu Preparation?

In order to use tofu, you need to properly drain it. This is my method for preparing tofu:

1. Cut into the package with a knife. I'm using hard tofu. Drain the water from the package.
2. Use the knife to slice into strips.

3. Grab a small towel and place it on a large plate.
4. Place the tofu strips into the center of the plate.

5. Cover the tofu with the towel, making sure to cover each strip.

6. Place a second plate on top of this towel, making a tofu-towel sandwich.

7. Place a heavy plate, a book, or (in my case) a heavy cast-iron comal on top of this sandwich.

8. Leave the tofu to press for at least 30 minutes.

9. Give it a quick rinse and slice it up however you'd like!

Any leftover tofu can be put back into the fridge (if covered in fresh water) or frozen.

I hope this post has been helpful to anyone interested in trying out a tofu recipe!