Poor tofu.
It’s a misunderstood creature. Although it’s meant to fill the place of meat on a vegetarian’s plate, it cannot simply be cooked like meat. To make delicious tofu requires a new set of skills and a new point-of-view.
press it
This is key. A block of tofu is full of water- water that, if left in, will inhibit that pretty white block’s ability to absorb new flavors and inhibit it’s ability to get crispy (if that’s the texture you’re going for).
flavor it
Tofu tastes like nothing. Truth. But that is the beauty of it! YOU can make it taste like whatever you desire! BBQ? Yes! Miso-Ginger? Absolutely! Cocoa Mole? Get after it! As long as you press it, your new friend Miss Tofu is ready to be your kitchen workhorse. Let it bathe in a marinade for at least 15 minutes, though longer is better.
embrace it
When we change our diets, we inevitably make swaps. Tofu for meat, whole grain bread for white, baked kale chips for fried potato chips, and so on. The fatal flaw: our brain begins to compare the new food against the old food. If we are not mindful of this trap, we set ourselves up for failure. Instead, we should embrace these new foods in their own right. People expect tofu to taste like meat. Poor tofu, this just isn’t fair. Because guess what? It’s NOT meat! It simply contains one nutrient- protein- that we associate with meat, so it is an obvious way to fill the place on our plate once reserved for animals. If you slice in to a slab of tofu and expect it to taste and feel like a filet mignon, your brain is basically telling your tastebuds to reject it. Think of it this way: what if you dipped into a bowl of wasabi expecting guacamole (true story)? Or scooped up a spoonful of mashed potatoes expecting vanilla ice cream? So next time you eat tofu, eat tofu. Embrace it as a food of its own instead of a replacement for something.
Now, on to the deliciousness! I chose five of my favorite tofu recipes to show you just how versatile it can be!
crispy breaded tofu strips {oh she glows}
Crispy Breaded Tofu Strips– great for kiddos, great for dunkin’
southwest tofu scramble {minimalist baker}
Southwest Tofu Scramble makes for a satisfying savory breakfast.
buffalo tofu {oh my veggies}
We already established how much we love buffalo flavored things. This Buffalo Tofu satisfies that itch.
vegan tofu spinach lasagna {good housekeeping}
This Vegan Tofu Spinach Lasagna is tofu’s hat trick. This little soy lady really can do it all.
jerk tofu {The Plant Eaters’ manifesto}
Of course we are partial to this Jerk Tofu because it is our own little creation. It hits so many cravings- spicy, sweet, creamy, chewy, tangy. We think you’ll enjoy it just as much as we do.
Yo dudes- if you’re afraid of tofu’s rumored “feminizing effects”, Kayli busts that myth in this post.
Now go forth and prepare to fall in love with tofu.
