TOFU - Taking the mystery out of the big white BLOB!
Have you ever bought tofu with the intention of taking it home and making something edible with it - only to open the package and say to yourself, "No way!" If you were lucky, the water it came packed in didn't soak your clothes and spill all over the floor when you opened the container.
So you put it back in the refrigerator, and several weeks later you see it again sitting there way in the back. This time it goes into the trash and you wonder what you were ever thinking.
You are not alone. Almost everyone has done this.
Well my amazing wife and chef, Maribeth, decided to do something about this unfortunate human condition. She really has a handle on this tofu thing. She can make all sorts of delicious dishes from tofu, most of which you wouldn't have a clue contain tofu unless someone told you.She makes things like chocolate mousse and strawberry smoothies and creamy salad dressing in addition to chili and soup and teriyaki and on and on. Something for everyone.
She wrote a tofu cookbook called TOFU 1-2-3 which not only shows you how to make specific recipes, but it also walks you through step by step which kind to buy, how to open it and store it and how to handle it.You can buy it at Amazon or in most bookstores. But first check out these video highlights on YouTube that Maribeth and I created.
Maribeth's motto: You don't have to be a vegetarian to eat like one.
Best wishes,
Peter
Here are some links of all kinds
- What the heck is tofu?
- This is the tofu section from a soybean website. Lots of good info.
- The history of tofu.
- Who knew that there is an annual tofu festival in L.A.? This past August (2007) was the 12th one. After you read about the history of tofu here, you can browse the rest of their website for festival details. Who knew?
- VegSource article
- There's more video here and a short article which reviews the TOFU 1-2-3 video. VegSource.com is a really good vegetarian online resource.
- Utah State University checks
- Now here's an obscure source! (Not that there's anything wrong with USU.) More on tofu and more recipes. These recipes were selected, prepared, and presented by Utah State University dietetic students during their annual Nutrition and Health Expo.
Buy the cookbook here at Amazon
(buy the DVD at www.tofu123.com)
#2
Tofu & Soymilk Production (Soyfoods Production, 2) by William Shurtleff
Interesting book about making tofu (and soy milk w more...0 points
#3
Certified Organic Soybeans - 2.5 Lbs - Perfect for Use in a Soy Milk Making Machine to Make Soy Milk. Also Use to Make Tofu, Roasted Soy Beans & More. Excellent Food Storage.
Want to buy soybeans??!!! From Amazon??0 points
Easy Recipe with tofu
In this one, the tofu is in the delicious silky dressing.
WALDORF SALADServes 6 - 8
Tasting is believing when it comes to this tantalizing mixture of apples, dates, raisins, walnuts and celery enveloped by a sweet, lemon-spiked cream.
6 red apples, cut into bite-size pieces
Juice of one lemon
6 dates, pitted and chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
1/3 cup yellow raisins
¼ cup almonds, chopped
1 (12.5-ounce) package silken tofu, firm
3 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 Tablespoon lemon peel
Juice of one lemon
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Place the apples in a large mixing bowl, drizzle with the juice of one lemon, and stir to coat. Add the dates, celery, raisins and almonds, and stir well. Put the remaining seven ingredients in a food processor or blender, and blend until completely smooth. Pour over the apple mixture and refrigerate until serving.
More Recipes
A sampling of recipes from some out-of-the-way places
This link will take you to a Hudson Valley, New York, vegetarian group's posting of some easy recipes that Maribeth left with them after a cooking class she did there. (Surprise!: some of these recipes don't contain tofu, but have seitan or tempeh instead.)L.A. Tofu Here are some tofu recipes from the Los Angeles Annual Tofu Festival. I'll bet you didn't know there was such a thing. Only in L.A.?
Tofu Videos
This is Maribeth cooking and talking tofu.
incredibly delicious tofu recipes
Want to make delicious desserts, smoothies and other stuff that is made from tofu but doesn't seem like it? Take a look at these highlights and then go to Amazon and buy the cookbook, Tofu 123.
Runtime: 2:28
5330 views
3 Comments:
Fun tofu stuff I found on YouTube
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Silly
Here are two blobs of tofu behind the closed refrigerator door:
Not that you would ever need to make your own tofu, but this is a lovely little Japanese video showing you how to make tofu at home. People who have tried it, love it.
There are many small artisan tofu companies and lots of bigger commercial ones, but the process of making it is always similar to this.
Nice music!
Some Health Benefits of TOFU
(why you might want to eat it once in a while)
1. Cholesterol-free, reducing the risk of heart attack.
Soy protein contains the nine essential amino acids found in animal protein, but it is much lower in saturated fat and has no cholesterol. According to Consumer Reports (July 2004), research has shown that consuming at least 25 grams of soy protein in place of animal protein lowers blood cholesterol levels by 5 to 10 percent.
2. Low in carbohydrates.
Tofu is high in protein, yet low in carbohydrates. Most other foods that are naturally high in protein and low in carbohydrate contain cholesterol.
3. Contains isoflavones.
Researchers suspect that the compounds in soybeans called isoflavones may reduce the risk of certain diseases such as breast cancer and colon cancer, and that they may also decrease the negative symptoms associated with menopause.Soybeans and other soy-based products are the richest sources of isoflavones in the human diet.
TWO different textures of tofu - okay, SIX different textures
which kind to buy?
1. Regular Tofu (aka Water-packed Tofu)
Available in three densities- extra-firm (for sautéing, stir-frying and pan-frying)
- firm
- soft (for for pureeing or blending to make cheesecake and dips
2. Silken Tofu
Available in three densities- extra-firm
- firm
- soft
Ideal for making puddings, sauces, cream pies and smoothies
Most often sold in 12-ounce cardboard boxes, unrefrigerated
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Keep in mind that there is no standard tofu texture from brand to brand - one brand's extra-firm may be softer than another brand's firm. Experiment with different brands to determine which you like best. And experiment with firm and extra firm to see which works best for you.
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ALSO!
Now that tofu is catching on a little more, many companies are coming out with flavored tofu and cooked tofu and cubed tofu and other variations. This is all very convenient and tasty, yet it's just like most foods: if you like to cook, you probably want to add your own herbs and cook it yourself or cube it and slice it.
How about this idea?
an original thought from my own observation of Maribeth's world
It seems to me that tofu is the next yogurt. I remember when I first looked at yogurt and went "Yuk! Gag! You'll never catch me eating that stuff." However, now thirty years later, yogurt is a common food. Flavored, low fat, non-dairy - all sorts of yogurt and very yummy. So maybe you'll consider joining the cutting edge and watch the DVD highlights and see for yourself. Then you can buy the cookbook!
Who makes tofu?
small artisan companies and large commercial ones
Although tofu recipes derive almost all of the taste from the other ingredients, really good tofu does have a subtle flavor. I have tasted some tofu that is delicious all by itself.
Each of these links go to a different producer of tofu. If you are exploring the world of tofu and you've got the time, it's worth a look at some of these. You'll find various tofu philosophies, recipes, some history and more.
As you can see from the list, I am partial to the smaller artisan companies. However, you would usually need to live near one of them to be able to buy the product, though some will ship it to you.
Please help me compile this list by adding tofu companies that you know and love. Thank you.
White Wave
1 point
Welcome to Mori-Nu Tofu
1 point
www.BridgeTofu.com
1 point
Superior Tofu
1 point
Wildwood Foods
0 points
I'd love to have you sign my guest book.
did this lens warm you up a little to the white blob?
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Evelyn_Saenz
What a great lens! 5 stars and favored! Posted May 07, 2008 |
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Steve_Mark
You did a great job! Thanks Posted April 27, 2008 |
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enslavedbyfaeries
Wow, this lens is packed with tons a great information, even for a long time vegetarian. 5 stars!! Posted April 18, 2008 |
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BoKli
Great lens on a popular topic with many questions answered here. I have been interested in learning more about vegetarian cooking and am curious to check out Posted April 15, 2008 |
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beachbum_gabby
I love tofu and I would like to cook different style from it. Thanks for the recipes. Posted April 14, 2008 |
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beeobrien
Tofu is good food. Thanks for the lens. Posted April 14, 2008 |
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spirituality
Great lens (I've said this before). I'm just dropping by to share my new lens on healthy food that makes you happy: http://www.squidoo.com/comfort-food Posted April 08, 2008 |
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chinze
I LOVE tofu...and I love that you thought to make a whole lens about it. Tofu rocks my stir fry and my salads :) Posted April 07, 2008 |
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daba373
great tofu lens..5*... turbulence training fat loss 4 idiots Posted April 07, 2008 |
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FengShuiStyle
Wow. My first intro to tofu was way back in the 80's, when my mom made a tofu pumpkin pie. I thought she was nuts. Actually, it was very good. I now eat it on a regular basis. Thanks for all the great info! Posted April 01, 2008 |
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InternetCowgirl
I like tofu too, but can never seem to find enough easy recipes for it - thank you! Posted March 31, 2008 |
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bdkz
What a great lens! I love Tofu. I've given you a Squid Angel Blessing! Posted March 18, 2008 |
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JP_Diablogue
Thanks for spicing up Tofu's bland and boring reputation. ;-) Personally I like Tofu. And this lens just might make me "love" Tofu. Great job. ***** Posted January 16, 2008 |
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jtpratt
great lens - I give you 5 stars! Please stop by and review my lens as well if you get the chance: Designer Handbag Whores Posted November 25, 2007 |
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professionale
Tofu is definitely great! Posted November 08, 2007 |
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SpicySun
Hi! Great lens! I can't wait to read more.....Please visit my new lens Spicy Sun Rubs and Dips! It is soooo delicious! Your friend, SPICY! Posted October 10, 2007 |
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FoodHooder
Never knew there were so many types of tofu and so many different variations! Posted September 25, 2007 |
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JorgeRodriguez
Great Lens! Posted September 12, 2007 |
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