Tofu cheese is bean curd, usually compressed and white in color. This cheese is sold in vacuum packages filled with preservative water, which allows the product to be stored for up to several weeks. Tofu cheese is not only an indispensable ingredient in the diet of every vegetarian, but also a delicious delicacy from which you can prepare truly tasty and healthy dishes. Below you can find materials on how to cook tofu at home.
How to get tofu
Ingredients
- 1 liter soy milk,
- 30 ml lemon juice.
Preparation
Heat the soy milk over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. At the very beginning of boiling, until foam forms, remove the pan from the heat, add lemon juice to the milk and leave until completely curdled. Then place the resulting mixture in a colander lined with gauze folded in two layers and leave until the whey drains.
Once most of the whey has drained, wrap the tofu in cheesecloth and squeeze out the remaining liquid. Then wrap the tofu in another gauze, put a press weighing 1 kg on top, leave for 30 minutes; During this time, the cheese will take shape and become denser. Remove the press and remove the finished cheese from the gauze.
With eggplants
Eggplant can be found in many recipes as part of snack dishes. This option has a moderately spicy taste, and is often prepared during fasting, for a vegetarian menu, and for a hearty snack.
Salad with tofu and eggplant, recipe.
Preparation next.
Composition of ingredients
Compound:
- eggplant – 1 pc.;
- garlic – 3 cloves;
- tofu cheese – 200 g;
- green onions - 2 feathers;
- soy sauce – 2 tsp;
- chili pepper – 1 pod;
- starch – 1 tsp;
- sugar – 1 tsp;
- vegetable oil – 2 tbsp. l.;
- wine vinegar - 1 tbsp. l.;
- rice wine (mirin) – 1 tbsp. l.
What can be added and changed in the composition
This dish contains rice wine and wine vinegar, which are not available in every kitchen. Therefore, at home, you can avoid these products by increasing the amount of soy sauce.
Step-by-step cooking process
Detailed description of the recipe:
- The first step is to wash the eggplant, dry it with a kitchen towel and cut it into large cubes. This vegetable is often bitter in dishes; this can be corrected by sprinkling it with a little salt and draining the juice it gives.
- Now you need to drain all the liquid from the tofu cheese, blot it with a napkin and give it the same shape as the eggplant.
- You need to peel the garlic and finely chop it along with the green onion.
- And after washing and removing the seed pod, chop the hot pepper into a bowl.
- You need to start cooking with eggplants, which you place in a heated frying pan with 1 tbsp. l. vegetable oil (ideally, if it is a special wok).
- This vegetable absorbs a lot of fat, and therefore it is better to fry it in an almost dry frying pan, adding oil little by little.
- After 3 min. After cooking, place the eggplant on a plate, and in its place add garlic and hot pepper, fry a little and remove with a slotted spoon.
- After adding a little oil, you need to roll the tofu pieces in starch and fry until golden brown. Now you should pour in the rice wine, let the alcohol evaporate and add sugar, soy sauce and wine vinegar.
- At the same time, place eggplants with garlic, hot pepper and green onions in a frying pan.
- All that remains is to mix everything well and leave on the fire for literally 2 minutes. and serve.
Decoration and serving rules
This appetizer is often served to guests on a bed of rice, prepared in advance.
Dietary properties of tofu
Tofu cheese is suitable for use in low-calorie diet dishes. When Japanese women decide that it’s time to go on a diet and lose weight, they replace meat with this product in their diet. At the same time, they do not have to limit themselves in portions. With a normal, habitual diet, with such a replacement you can lose weight up to 14 kg in a short time. This diet, which is not harmful to health, has taken root among us. It is one of the safest and most acceptable for the human body.
But not only losing weight can be a reason to add tofu cheese to your usual menu. Doctors recommend using it for various hormonal disorders (but not for thyroid diseases), problems with the gallbladder, liver and kidneys. Saturation with protein and essential elements allows you to add soy curd to the tables of patients with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. And for patients with lactose intolerance or diabetes, tofu cottage cheese can replace dairy products.
With seafood
Tofu and seafood snacks are on the menu of many restaurants in China. Housewives can also prepare such a salad at home, following the described recipe.
Composition of ingredients
Product set:
- sea cocktail (octopus, mussels, squid, shrimp) – 300 g;
- tofu – 300 g;
- granulated sugar – 1.5 tsp;
- carrots – 1\2 pcs.;
- cucumber – 1 pc.;
- garlic – 2 cloves;
- starch – 3 tsp;
- vegetable oil – 3 tbsp. l.;
- green onions – 1/2 bunch.
What can be added and changed in the composition
Only 1 type of seafood cocktail (for example, squid) can be used in the salad.
Step-by-step cooking process
Detailed cooking instructions:
- Tofu should be placed on a cutting board, after draining all the water, and cut into cubes with a side of 2 cm.
- Now prepare fresh cucumber and carrots by washing and peeling. Next, you need to cut them first into strips and then into diamonds, as they do in China.
- It's time to heat a frying pan over medium heat with vegetable oil and fry the soy cheese in it first, sprinkling the pieces with starch.
- Having achieved a golden brown crust on the tofu, put it on a plate, and in the same oil you need to fry the carrots and cucumber for no longer than 2 minutes.
- It's time for a sea cocktail that can be served without defrosting. If only 1 product from it is used, then you need to check for pre-cleaning.
- Fry for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly, add chopped garlic cloves, and mix granulated sugar, soy sauce and water separately.
- You need to pour the resulting dressing into the pan and leave on the fire for another 1 minute.
Decoration and serving rules
This dish can be served cold or hot, sprinkled generously with chopped green onions.
Varieties of tofu
- soft tofu (silken) is considered the most tender and delicate type, it is most often used in desserts, smoothies, and sauces;
- firm tofu is the most common type; it is added to many dishes; if desired, it can also be mashed with a fork or chopped with a knife;
- Extra-firm tofu is the firmest type, has little liquid, and is more suitable for grilling. This species is rarely found in stores and is mainly sold only in specialized vegetarian stores.
At the moment, tofu is actively used all over the world, this cheese contains 9 essential amino acids, it has no cholesterol, so tofu is becoming increasingly popular. Above is information on how to cook tofu, where you can find a lot of interesting and simple recipes. You don't need to spend a lot of time preparing dishes with tofu - this cheese is quickly baked and fried, so it's great for those who don't like to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
With cucumbers
A salad with fresh cucumbers and tofu will not leave anyone indifferent, especially if you prepare it in the cold season. The dish according to the recipe is rich in fiber, protein and has an exquisite taste.
Composition of ingredients
Ingredients:
- fresh cucumber – 2 pcs.;
- lettuce leaves – 4-5 pcs.;
- soy sauce – 2 tbsp. l.;
- tofu (medium soft) – 175 g;
- dill, green onions – 1\2 bunches each;
- sunflower oil – 2 tbsp. l.;
- starch - 1 tbsp. l.;
- garlic – 1 clove.
What can be added and changed in the composition
This salad can be varied by adding fresh tomatoes, radishes and bell peppers.
Step-by-step cooking process
All preparation steps:
- In this recipe, it is better to start with tofu, which must be cut into medium-sized cubes and sprinkled with starch.
- Now you should heat a frying pan with sunflower oil and fry the peeled garlic clove first, crushing it a little.
- When the kitchen is filled with its aroma, you need to put the curd cheese in a bowl and wait until it is covered with a beautiful golden brown crust.
- Next, you need to pour soy sauce (1 tbsp) over the tofu and simmer for 2 minutes. and place on a plate, removing all the garlic from the composition.
- While the curd cheese is cooling, you need to wash and rinse all the remaining ingredients, finely chop the greens (except lettuce), and it is better to grate the cucumber for Korean snacks.
Decoration and serving rules
First place lettuce leaves on the prepared dish (you can tear them a little with your hands), cucumbers mixed with herbs on top and sprinkle with fried tofu.
Useful properties of tofu
Soy cheese is one of the most important sources of protein and calcium in the Chinese diet. The importance of this product is evidenced by the fact that during the difficult times of the 20th century, the Chinese government took control of the production and sale of tofu, and low-income citizens were able to eat well for little money.
In southern China, the typical diet of peasants has long consisted of rice, cabbage and tofu. However, tofu dishes are not considered the food of the poor; it is still loved and revered by both old people and young people of all social classes.
Soft tofu contains about 5% high-quality protein, while firm tofu contains more than 10%. Soy protein contains all the essential amino acids and is quite capable of replacing animal products. Scientists have proven that just 25 g of soy protein per day reduces the level of “bad” cholesterol in the blood, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Tofu is very rich in calcium and iron.
Moreover, the fat content of this healthy product is only 2–5%. Tofu cheese is recommended for athletes and those losing weight - it helps to get rid of excess weight without compromising muscle mass and overall well-being. The only contraindication to eating tofu is individual intolerance to legumes.
Banh mi sandwich with grilled shiitake mushrooms and tofu
Banh mi, a classic Vietnamese sandwich with zesty cucumber salad and spicy mayonnaise, is usually filled with meat or fish. We add meaty shiitake and tofu marinated in Hoisin sauce to the sandwich to create a vegetarian option. Squeezing the liquid out of the tofu thickens it and prevents it from sticking to the grill. Recipe:
Banh mi Sandwich with Grilled Shiitake Mushrooms and Tofu
With red fish
A seemingly simple salad with salmon and soy cheese will give gourmets great pleasure.
Don’t be afraid of the ingredients; below are replacement products that won’t greatly affect the taste.
Composition of ingredients
Product set:
- salmon (lightly salted) – 150 g;
- firm tofu – 150 g;
- cherry (small tomatoes) – 7 pcs.;
- mixture of Okinawa salad leaves “Belaya Dacha” – 100 g;
- sesame seeds – 3 tsp;
- soy sauce – 3 tsp;
- rice vinegar – 3 tsp;
- olive oil – 3 tsp.
What can be added and changed in the composition
Instead of rice vinegar, you can add an apple analogue to the dish, and take the usual salad leaves (for example, Iceberg).
Step-by-step cooking process
Step-by-step instruction:
- Cherry tomatoes should be washed, stemmed and cut in half.
- The tofu cheese needs to be shaped into cubes.
- In a large plate, you need to tear the lettuce leaves with your hands, after washing them, and mix with soy cheese and tomatoes.
- In a separate bowl you need to combine rice vinegar, soy sauce and olive oil.
- The salmon needs to be inspected, the bones removed if any remain, the skin removed and cut into slices.
Ready.
Decoration and serving rules
To serve, place the salad mixture in a heap on a flat plate, distribute pieces of red fish on top and pour the prepared dressing over everything.
It is better to first fry the sesame seeds a little and then sprinkle them on the dish before serving.
