Tofu, rich in protein and other minerals, is among the best plant-based foods you can cook into a delicious dish. It’s popular among vegans, but you can also enjoy it, especially if you prepare it well. However, that’s where the problem lies. Making tofu can be daunting due to reasons like the different types and specific recipes to make them. Here are the tofu-making tips and tricks that will give you a good dish.
1. Buy the right tofu for your recipe
When buying tofu, you will find the common types like firm tofu with a feta consistency and silken tofu, the softest. Others are regular, extra-firm, and super-firm. Each type has a different density and texture. Therefore, you must use a specific menu to prepare your tofu dish. It’d be best to ensure you buy the right tofu to prepare a good dish. Mixing up the recipe will result in soggy or flavorless tofu.
2. Press the tofu before cooking
Suppose you buy a firm or extra firm tofu. In that case, it’d best to press the excess water using a tofu maker or towels to remove excess water after rinsing. This step is essential since tofu is naturally spongy and will absorb water when you rinse it. Failure to press it will leave no room for marinating broth. In addition, your cooked tofu will have a bad texture. You should press it for about six to 20 minutes, depending on how soaked it is.
3. Cut the tofu into small sizes
Cooking tofu in large sizes will ruin your dish since it won’t absorb the flavor. Therefore, you should ensure that they are in small pieces that you can easily marinade in a flavored broth. And if you decide to slice, the slices should be thin enough to make your cooked tofu crispy. If uncertain about the right size, it is best to check different cooking forums for guidance.
4. Use the right cooking method
There are several methods of cooking tofu. You can either bake, stir fry, scramble, or pan fry. Baking is also a good tofu cooking method that will give you a delicious dish. The method you choose to cook your tofu will depend on the texture you want it to be in. However, methods like deep frying will ruin your tofu because it will absorb the cooking fat and become greasy. The right method, the right cooking fat quantity, and the right temperature would be best.
5. Follow the recipe to the latter
You might be tempted to tweak the menu to cook faster. However, doing so is setting yourself up for failure. You must follow the specific recipe you are using without skipping any step. Suppose it requires pressing; it is best to do it using the best tofu maker you can find in online shops. You should never skip such an important step because you will end up with a tofu dish you won’t enjoy.
The popularity of tofu has steadily risen owing to its benefits and increased awareness. However, many people still find making it a challenge. If you are a tofu enthusiast, it is best to use the tips and tricks in this article to make your dish. Doing so will help you avoid the tofu-making pitfalls and have a delicious dish.
