3 Ways to Cook with Tofu

• Pour the water from the container and remove the tofu.
• Slice the tofu in half or thirds.
• Lay several paper towels on a plate or in a container and place the slices on top.

• Cover the slices with several more paper towels. I’ve also wrapped the tofu in layers of newspaper on top of the paper towels.
• Place a plate or baking sheet on top.
• Place something moderately heavy on the plate, a couple of heavy books or a can of tomatoes are great options.
• Press for 20 minutes or longer.
• As an alternative, you can purchase one of these tofu pressing gadgets.

Using tofu in a cold dish such as a salad is simple once you’ve drained and pressed it. Simply:

• Slice it or cube it to a size of your liking
• Lightly toss it in the dressing or marinade of your preference. One tip is to use one that’s oil-free. The tofu will absorb a soy, citrus, or vinegar-based marinade much better than an oil-based one.
• Let sit in the fridge for at least an hour
• Add it to your dish and enjoy!

Pressed Tofu in a Fried Dish the low-oil way
Fried (or stir-fried) is one of the most popular ways to eat tofu. It’s easy to “fry” tofu with a just a little oil, but you can also pan “fry” it without oil, but it requires a non-stick pan or a cast-iron skillet. If you want it to be crispy, a light dusting of cornstarch is a must. Simply fill a bowl with cornstarch, place the sliced or cubed tofu in it, and toss lightly.

Pressed Tofu "Dry" Fried Without Oil

• Place plain tofu either slabs, cubes or triangles in a single layer in a non-stick or cast-iron pan on medium heat.
• Cook until one side is golden brown, pressing with your spatula during the cooking process to help to brown. Any water that’s still in the tofu will sizzle in the pan and evaporate.
• Flip the tofu and brown on the other side, pressing again to speed the process.

Pressed Tofu in a Baked Dish
You can bake tofu to eat alone as a snack or to use as a meat-substitute in a meal.

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cut your tofu into about ½ inch cubes.
• If you’re using a marinade or sauce, cover and let sit for 5-15 minutes.
• Place the cubes on a lightly-oiled baking sheet, in a single layer.
• Bake for 15 minutes.
• Turn the cubes, and bake until golden brown – another 15 minutes or so.

Don’t skimp on the seasonings! Salt is especially important. Again, feel free compliment the salt with your favorite herbs and spices.

3. FROZEN TOFU

Freezing tofu first will give it a different texture and consistency. Freezing cause small pockets throughout the tofu and more surface area for marinades. It’s ideal if you want crispy tofu, but don’t want to fry it.
There are three key steps to crispy, tofu:

• Freeze your drained (not pressed) block. Slice it before freezing if you prefer.
• Place the frozen block in boiling water and simmer for about 10 minutes or thaw on the counter or in the refrigerator.
• Sauté it on a high heat, sliced or cubed as you desire for the dish you’re preparing.

Another great use for frozen tofu is if you’d like to replace ground meat with crumbled tofu; in tacos for example. Freezing it gives it a firmer texture, ideal for crumbling. Here’s how to prepare it in such a manner:

For Ground Meat Replacement

• Drain and press (about 15 minutes).
• Cut your block into smaller pieces – about 4-6 is great.
• Freeze it and then thaw when ready to use.
• Crumble it by hand, and add it to a lightly-oiled skillet. If you’re making taco crumbles, you can sauté onion and garlic before adding the tofu.
• Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the tofu is slightly browned
• Add any seasonings, spices, peppers, or anything else you prefer and cook for another minute or two
• If necessary, add a tablespoon or two of water, if the tofu starts to dry out.

Knowing the types of tofu available and the variety of preparation methods for them, even the pickiest eater is sure to find a tofu recipe they enjoy. Experiment by substituting tofu into some of your favorite recipes and find out which way you like best. The possibilities are endless!