The dreaded Tofu word................

**cheles2kids** · 06-03-2008, 01:47 PM

For those vegetarians who actually like tofu and enjoy cooking with it, I would love to find some quick and easy recipes that include tofu.

I love it when it's cooked right and I've had success with dipping it in batter and frying it, although not the healthiest way to eat it, it's absolutely delish.

So, for you more skilled vegetarians/vegans I would love a couple of your best recipes.

Oh & really I'm not being picky here, but I prefer more entree type recipes, pretty please?

Thanks so much for your help!!

**The Muse** · 06-03-2008, 01:53 PM

Have you tried freezing it? As soon as I get it home, I dump out the water and wrap the blocks in plastic wrap and freeze. When I'm ready to use it, I defrost and press, then cube it.

I don't really use recipes, I generally prep it as described above then stirfy it with whatever veggies and sauces I've got on hand. I used to be tofu averse, mostly because of the texture, but freezing it makes it less mushy and more chewy. Now I make it at least once a week.

For "BLT's", I like this recipe...it tastes so much like bacon it's scary:

1 lb extra firm tofu, drained, pressed and cut into thin strips along the long side
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
2 tablespoons tamari
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
Canola oil

Over low or medium heat, fry tofu strips for 10 minutes in enough oil so they don't stick. Flip and cook 10 more minutes, until crispy.

Mix the tamari with the liquid smoke, then take the pan off the heat. Pour the liquid smoke and tamari into the pan and stir the tofu so all sides are coated,then sprinkle the yeast over all, stir some more, over the heat, until the liquid is gone and the tofu is covered with yeast.

**perSue** · 06-03-2008, 02:28 PM

firm tofu:
you can marinate it, a couple hrs to over night and fry in a cornmeal or flour or flaxseed or whatever coating...
or bake it.

either way, just a short time, then add to whatever you like.

i've made a tofu bake where replacing cheese/meat in a lasagna like dish. use lasagna or any pasta, add your sauce, veggies, the tofu and bake.

soft/silken tofu:
use in dressings, yogurts, smoothies, mousse, etc. (think, dessert)

**cheles2kids** · 06-03-2008, 02:41 PM

TheMuse, yes, I do freeze mine. Actually that's usually the only way I keep it. But I just usually freeze mine in the package and then defrost it in the frige overnight.

I like the bac'n type recipe you posted. I had one similar that I tried with tempeh last year and it just didn't turn out that well? I dunno.
I'm not as fond of tempeh as of tofu, so that may have something to do with it?

PerSue, do you have any fav. homemade marinades that you use?
Or do you just buy premixed bottled marinades?

Thanks ladies for all your help and suggestions, I really appreciate it.
Tofu is just so misunderstood.

**CanadianTreehugger** · 06-03-2008, 02:54 PM

I love ABSOLUTELY love scrambled tofu for breakfast. There are many variations of it though..I will type up my favorite one later today from the cookbook Vegan Planet.

I'm not vegan or vegetarian but I eat that way as much as possible, especially when my husband isn't around as he is a diehard meat eater

Fiona

**perSue** · 06-03-2008, 02:59 PM

as for marinades i make my own.
i never buy what's offered in a store, as you don't know what all is in the mix (premixed, bottle, packet).

i go for "natural" things... so i'll use herbs/spices, lemon or lime juice/zest, juices, soy sauce (if you like it), veg. broths... whatever tastes you prefer.

i dont really have a fave.... it all depends on what i'm in the mood for, what else i'm making with the tofu, etc.

so i just toss a bunch of things together and let it set for a while.

but that's me.
i'm odd like that.

**StaceyS** · 06-03-2008, 03:43 PM

I LOVE tofu! I have eaten it for MANY years and just recently had a baked tofu come out how I wanted.
I marinate it in equal parts worch. sauce, tamari (soy sauce) and olive oil. This time I marinated it for over 24 hours. Oh, and I drained it for about an hour (weight it down to get the extra moisture out). Then, I cooked it in a 300 degree oven for a couple of hours. It FINALLY got that firm texture of the kinds you can buy in the store. Yum!
I bought one that had pineapple juice in the marinade, and it was delish! I'm going to try adding juice to the above marinade.
But, then I've been know to eat it straight out of the container, too.

**cheles2kids** · 06-03-2008, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by StaceyS

I LOVE tofu! I have eaten it for MANY years and just recently had a baked tofu come out how I wanted.
I marinate it in equal parts worch. sauce, tamari (soy sauce) and olive oil. This time I marinated it for over 24 hours. Oh, and I drained it for about an hour (weight it down to get the extra moisture out). Then, I cooked it in a 300 degree oven for a couple of hours. It FINALLY got that firm texture of the kinds you can buy in the store. Yum!
I bought one that had pineapple juice in the marinade, and it was delish! I'm going to try adding juice to the above marinade.
But, then I've been know to eat it straight out of the container, too.

This sounds delish!!! Baking it sounds like a good idea, I'll defiantely give it a try!

**ShawnaRae** · 06-03-2008, 09:45 PM

This might not be what you're looking for, but I love it so much I just have to post.

Slice tofu thinly from the block. Marinate in Bragg's, tamari, soy sauce (whatever). Sprinkle w/ garlic powder and fry up. Set aside.
Mix nutritional yeast with water and salt (enough to make a spread to your taste). Spread nut yeast on bread, add tofu, and cook the way you would normally cook a grilled cheese.

Okay, I might be the only person ever to love this, but I made it all the time in college, and still get a craving for it pretty frequently!

**Palooka** · 06-04-2008, 12:51 AM

I really don't like tofu but I want too...For the nutrition/protein.

Here has been my experience. Years ago I cooked it in some kind of soup or something for the first time ever. I liked it.This was when I was going veg.

I ordered Chinese food with tofu and it had like really big chunks and I just gaged.

Then Amy's food..I mean who doesn't love her food. Yum....But..I was eating one of her breakfast burritos like maybe 3 years ago I just almost barfed. Sorry to be so graffic. lol I looked at the ingredients and it had chunks of tofu.

I always heard you have to try it many ways.....I just don't know..

I have also bought it just to waste it.

I guess it is not for me but I still want to try it a different way.

maybe come over to one of your guys' house for dinner?

**cheles2kids** · 06-04-2008, 01:00 PM

Palooka, I know what you mean. I really do think tofu is an acquired taste.
At least for me, I think that's the case. The first couple of times that I ate it, it just wasn't that appealing to me, but then I had it on some nachos at Moe's Soutwest grill and it was SOOOOO good!

After that I ordered it at a Chinese restaurant and it was really good.
But I will say that not all Chinese restaurants can fix it good. I've also had it at P.F. Changs and it was pretty good.

So, then I just decided for around $1.00 a block I would start experimenting with it. The first dish I fixed was disgusting. Then I did the breading and frying thing, and it turned out REALLY good.

I really think you just have to be willing to try it and experiment with it.
I have a block marinating in the fridge right now, in two different types of marinade. I'm gonna let it stay in there all day and overnight as StaceyS mentioned and I'm thinking this will help with baking it off in the oven.

I will let you all know how these 2 recipes turn out and if they are keepers, I will defiantely come back and post the links to both recipes. I found them online.

Thanks again for all of your help!! This thread has gotten me inspired!

**shoiji** · 06-04-2008, 07:30 PM

I have been trying to get used to cooking and eating tofu. I remember ordering a tofu dish once and I swear it tasted like play-doh. Yes, I ate some as a kid. LOL I tried the baking of tofu and it turned out decent. Next I will try the breading and frying.

**CanadianTreehugger** · 06-05-2008, 04:56 PM

Hi

Sorry this took so long for me to get posted. Here is my favorite recipe for Scrambled Tofu

1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup minced onion
1/2 small red bell pepper,seeded and chopped
1 cup sliced white mushrooms
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Pinch of Cayenne (optional)
1 16oz package firm tofu, drained and crumbled
1/4 tsp turmeric
1 cup chopped or crumbled soy sausage(I've made the recipe w/out this though too)
Salt & Pepper

Heat 1tbsp of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper,cover and cook until softened, about 5minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook until they begin to release their liquid, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the vegetables to a bowl and set aside.
Heat the remaining 1/2 tbsn of olive oil in the same skilled over medium heat. Add the soy sausage (or skip),red pepper flakes and cayenne and cook,stirring until sausage is browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in crumbled tofu, turmeric and salt and pepper to taste. Add the sauteed vegetables adn cook, stirring, until any remaining liquid is evaperated adn the ingredients are hot, 5 to 7 minutes.

Serves 4

I only use the soy sausage when I find it on sale otherwise I find it pricey. Yummy with whole grain toast and tabasco sauce too

**CanadianTreehugger** · 06-06-2008, 01:06 PM

I haven't tried this yet but I will next week when DH is out of town..They sound tasty though

Tofu Croutons with Black Pepper

Prep Time: 5 minutes / Bake Time: 50 minutes
Serves: 2-4

Ingredients

* 1 block of extra firm tofu, patted dry, cut into 1/2″ cubes
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
* fresh black pepper
* salt

Directions

* Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Spread the tofu cubes in one single layer on a baking sheet.
* Drizzle with the vegetable oil.
* Season with generous amounts of black pepper and a desired amount of salt.
* Bake for about 50 minutes or until golden.

Practical Considerations
All sorts of herbs can be used here. I thought about marinating the tofu first, but I’m not sure that’d be very effective, considering that the tofu cubes are pretty much entirely dried out by the baking.

**vigilant20** · 06-06-2008, 01:23 PM

Here are the ones I've tried and liked. The first I make probably once a week...it's awesome. And for someone who's getting to know tofu, I think a marinade like that is the easiest route.

Teriyaki Tofu
General Tso's Tofu (this gets awesome reviews all around, but a lotta work so I don't make it often)
Jakes Scrambled "Eggs"
Tofu "egg" salad
Tofu Dream Pudding
Easy Tofu Fillet Sandwich
Tofu Fried Rice
Vegan Baked Tofu Strips
Fried Tofu (with nutritional yeast)