Bought Tofu - what do I do with it?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2004
Bought Tofu - what do I do with it?
5
Wed, 06-16-2004 - 11:30am
OK - I bought tofu but have NO idea what to do with it. I don't even know if I like it. If anybody has any easy recipes they like, please let me know. Thanks.

Trudy

Trudy

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2003
Wed, 06-16-2004 - 1:24pm
Trudy,

What kind is it--the kind that comes in the tub with water, or the kind in the box that is shelf-stable?

I have lots of ideas! (Former vegetarian)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 06-16-2004 - 1:44pm

I like to saute mine with mushrooms, oyster sauce and chives.

Susan :)

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-25-2003
Wed, 06-16-2004 - 3:10pm
if it's the harder kind (the kind in the tub with water)...then i like to use it like scramble eggs...just mash it up a little with a fork until it kind of looks like scrambled eggs, then fry it in the pan with onions, spinach and tomato...or whatever you like your eggs with!

if it's the soft kind (in the little cardboard box)... then here is my all-time fave soup...(you don't have to do the shiitake mushroom, if you don't want to...)

Green Jade Soup (from: Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home)

4 dried shiitake mushrooms

1 cup boiling water

6 cups vegetable stock

1 ½ tbsp grated fresh ginger root

2 cups chopped bok choy

1 ½ cups thinly sliced leeks or onions

4 cups firmly packed chopped spinach

1 cake tofu, cut into ½ inch cubes

salt

chopped green onions

several drops dark sesame oil (optional)

Soak shiitake mushrooms with boiling water in heatproof bowl 10 minutes. Bring stock to boil in large soup pot. Add ginger, leeks/onions, bok choy, and carrots. Lower heat and simmer 10 minutes, until vegetables are tender. Drain mushrooms and add soaking liquid to soup. Thinly slice shiitake caps and stir into soup with spinach and tofu, cook 5 minutes. Add salt to taste. Sprinkle with green onions and optional sesame oil. 6 servings.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2004
Thu, 06-17-2004 - 9:17am
It is in a tub with water and garlic flavored. I don't know what even made me pick it up and buy it. Guess just need some different things. I saw a thread on baked tofu so I'll have to read what ideas are there.

I'll be looking forward to your recipes.

Thanks.

Trudy

Trudy

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-26-2003
Thu, 06-17-2004 - 3:22pm
While I'm gathering up some recipes for you....tofu is tasteless, and will pick up the flavors of whatever you cook it with. Be aware that some people are grossed out by just the thought of tofu. My husband would sooner die than KNOWINGLY eat a dish containing tofu, though he has eaten several times without knowing.

Here's a tip--if you freeze it (and you can freeze it right in the tub) you will change the texture, to sort of a chewy, spongy kind of texture not unlike ground chicken. Thaw, SQQUUUUEEEEEEZE out ALL the excess moisture and use it in a recipe calling for ground chicken, turkey, or beef. Just add it right to whatever you're cooking.

I'll get back to you with some recipes. Til then, you could probably ( though I've never used a preflavored tofu) slice it thinly, saute with a bit of olive oil and put it on a salad. If you slice off just a couple of slices, put the rest in a tupperware container covered with water. Change the water daily and it will keep for about a week. If you don't change the water...a couple of days until it gets slimy.