Tofu is in season. I say it again and again. When it comes to tofu, everything is groundwork. Whether you’re new to tofu or just looking to mix up your typical tofu, here are nine vegan ways to make tofu great. is it? And why should we eat it?
What is tofu?
First eaten in China about 2,000 years ago, tofu has been a staple food for many people for centuries. However, with more people than ever going plant-based, its popularity is on the rise as the vegan market is booming. could reach more than $3.6 billion by 2020.
But what exactly is it? Tofu is easy to make with just soy milk and condensed milk. It is pressed into blocks and often textured using bittern (a salty seawater solution) as a coagulant. There are several types of tofu. For example, silken tofu is softer and firm tofu is more compact. The type you need depends on the recipe you follow and the type of texture you prefer.
What are the benefits of tofu?
Eating tofu has many benefits. First, it is rich in protein and contains vitamins and minerals such as copper, selenium, iron and vitamin A. It is also versatile and can be easily incorporated into a variety of recipes (more on that below). Finally, it’s a more ethical and environmentally friendly alternative to meat because it doesn’t require raising or slaughtering animals. Eating twice will increase one person’s annual emissions by about 12kg, and eating the same amount of beef will increase it by 604kg.
How to cook with tofu and 9 vegan tofu recipes
Tofu is an incredibly versatile ingredient. It can be used as a substitute for meat or eggs in various recipes, depending on how it is cooked. Here are nine delicious ways to prepare tofu the next time you’re hungry. 
1 fry
Most sweet and savory foods are exponentially better when fried. Coat a cast iron or skillet with high-heat oil (try safflower or grapeseed), turn up the heat, and fry bite-sized pieces of super-hard tofu on both sides until golden brown. Season with sesame oil, soy sauce, salt and pepper during the final minutes of cooking.
Try it with the recipe: Perfect fried tofu by husband and wife chef
2 scramble
Tofu has the ability to miraculously mimic scrambled eggs when prepared correctly. There are a thousand ways to scramble tofu, and the beauty is that it’s hard to go wrong.
Try it with the recipe: Vegan Rhino Tofu Scramble
3 to sauté
A quick stir-fry or sauté of vegetables is an easy way to have dinner at the table and use up leftover ingredients. It will crisp up around the edges and absorb any seasonings or sauces you add. Who doesn’t like One Punch Wonder?
Try it with the recipe: Vegan Richa’s Stir Fried Cashew Tofu
Four to marinate
Soaking the tofu in a homemade or commercial marinade is one of the best ways to impart flavor to this whole soy-based sponge. Once you have your marinade of choice, it’s up to you to decide how you want it cooked. Sautéing, baking, or grilling are all great options. The recipe below makes an excellent tofu-based feta and only requires a two-hour soak and three ingredients.
Try it with the recipe: Vegan Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad by Veggies Save the Day
Five bake
When the weather is nice, fire up the grill. Firm tofu beautifully complements the smoky flavor of the grill, and those charms serve as both a delicious visual and a true flavor enhancer. Pro tip: You can replicate the texture of an outdoor grill indoors by searing tofu in a cast iron skillet.
Try it with the recipe: Grilled tofu by vegetarian chef
6 to pan
Nuggets are all the rage, and breaded tofu is an easy way to recreate vegan chicken nuggets at home. Extra-thick tofu can also be thinly sliced to make tofu piccata and served with a pool of marinara sauce. It’s a great preparation technique.
Try it with the recipe: Breaded buffalo tofu from Sarah’s Vegan Kitchen
7 crush it
With a jar of vegan mayonnaise or a pinch of your choice of spices, a block of firm tofu turns into a cheesy ricotta cheese or an unspoiled egg salad. Mix in your favorite egg salad add-ins (mustard, celery, salt, pepper, etc.). To make versatile ricotta cheese, crumble tofu with fresh or dried herbs, nutritional yeast, garlic, vinegar, and lemon juice. See the recipe below for step-by-step instructions.
Try it with the recipe: It doesn’t Taste Like Chicken Vegan Egg Salad and Easy Vegan Tofu Ricotta by Running on Real Food
8 soup it
Tofu is a sponge. What better way to add flavor than dipping in a flavorful soup? Add a few pieces of soft tofu to a simple miso soup to spice it up, or go one pot with a hearty Korean tofu soup packed with spices and vegetables. Let’s make a wonder. As a basic rule of thumb, if you have a clear broth, you can add tofu to make it tastier.
Try it with the recipe: Korean vegan quick tofu soup 1 box
9 bake
tofu. Croutons. Need I say more? Seasoned and baked cubes of tofu magically transform boring salads and simple creamy soups into satisfying meals. Store leftovers in the fridge to instantly add texture and protein to any dish.
Try it with the recipe: Happy Healthy Life Tofu Croutons
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