Im interested in how to use tofu in my cooking. Im thinking of replacing it for meat in a stirfry, with veges and a sauce but how do others use it? What flavours go well with tofu? should you gently saute in oil first? thanks.

kenny92 - 2019-02-09 23:50:00

I dont have it very often, but when I do I marinade it in soya sauce, garlic etc. Drain then dip in flour and fry it up. Very basic but its the only way I've ever done it.

dibble35 - 2019-02-10 07:24:00

My husband is vegetarian, and I mostly eat that way too. We both hate tofu because it very rarely, if ever, tastes of anything and the texture isn't very inviting. I know some like it, and OP may be one of them, but we avoid it. We use a small amount of cashews in our stir fry dishes and they add a crunchy element as well.

kitty179 - 2019-02-10 09:30:00

I love tofu but I think it needs to be cooked properly. It is very versatile. I also think you need a firm tofu from the supermarket, silken tofu is for desserts mainly but people often use it for savoury dishes.

frances1266 - 2019-02-10 14:34:00

I like it and am not a vegetarian, here's some tips, buy FIRM tofu and NOT PACKED IN WATER that really seems to dilute the taste an takes forever to dry off , fruitworld have some good ones they are just dry packed in the fridge, l really like The Soy Works extra firm NZ tofu which has a very nice mild soy flavour, fruitworld and New World have it here, as far as having no flavor .. its like hating pasta for the same reason, l guess because l dont use it as a meat substitute Im more forgiving , the other thing I've found is you have to cook tofu for at least 20 mins, its not an instant thing, surprisingly it holds together well and takes on a bit more flavor, you can fry it in oil but dont go beyond a light tan color or it gets a bit rubbery ,

a few ideas, l started by making my own miso soup with fish stock miso paste and dried seaweed simmering the cubed tofu in the fish stock and adding the miso paste at the end,
Fried pieces of tofu topped with sweet soy sauce, coriander and chilli flakes or just with a Chinese dipping sauce, fried tofu in a stirfry,
I like tofu in my chicken soup with corn and veges, its a quick protein that you can do quickly, tonight I'll have tofu simmered in some homemade fish stock , miso paste , bockchoy poured over a piece of fried salmon and go at the whole lot with a spoon and chopsticks

The silken is for smoothies or deserts or agedashi tofu ! which is well worth a try at a Japanese place, maybe you can make a mayo or a dip out of it,

Edited by thornton1961 at 3:23 pm, Sun 10 Feb

thornton1961 - 2019-02-10 15:12:00

Yes, use firm/extra firm tofu for stir fries etc. If you freeze tofu first, then thaw and drain well. It changes the texture to look like meat when pulled apart. You really need to marinade tofu to infuse flavours. I often make a marinade of sesame oil, soy sauce, grated ginger and garlic and some hoisin or oyster sauce. Marinade it for a few hours or preferably overnight. Sometimes I use indian spices and a little oil and leave to marinate. Nice sliced and fried too and used in wraps. There are a lots of videos on you tube with tofu recipes. I also make a lovely chocolate cheescake with silken tofu.

nauru - 2019-02-10 15:17:00

Thanks for the replies!

kenny92 - 2019-02-11 22:03:00

Tofu is delish. Use firm tofu slice into thinnish rectangles ip in water then cornflour and shallow fry until golden and crisp. Serve with a sauce, I like a good peanut sauce or cut into cubes and do the same and add to stir fry.

frances1266 - 2019-03-16 08:46:00

This message was deleted.

steve0061 - 2019-03-26 13:14:00

frances1266 wrote:

Tofu is delish. Use firm tofu slice into thinnish rectangles ip in water then cornflour and shallow fry until golden and crisp. Serve with a sauce, I like a good peanut sauce or cut into cubes and do the same and add to stir fry.

I sometimes do this too, love the crispy coating and then I coat in teriyaki or hoisin sauce (loosened with a little water) and sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving along with stir fry veges and maybe a fried rice. It's also nice in a wrap with shredded veges and a drizzle of hoisin sauce.

Edited by nauru at 3:58 pm, Tue 26 Mar

nauru - 2019-03-26 15:56:00

Might as well cook an.old jandal...

sifty - 2019-03-26 16:19:00

Maybe if people learned how to cook tofu they would like it

frances1266 - 2019-03-27 11:50:00

frances1266 wrote:

Maybe if people learned how to cook tofu they would like it

Probably not.

I did rather like the smoked tofu though.

I just don't feel right eating something made with plaster of Paris. I'd sooner have tempeh.

buzzy110 - 2019-03-27 13:12:00