All About Tofu
By Sara Butler
Unless you live under a rock, you've no doubt heard about tofu. You may have never eaten it, but chances are it's available in your supermarket and on the menu at some of your favorite restaurants.
If you've not tried tofu or don't know that much about it, then that needs to change! Tofu can be a healthy source of protein that's quite versatile in the diet. Here's what you need to know about tofu and some easy ways to incorporate it into what you eat.
What Is Tofu?
Tofu is bean curd. It's sort of like cheese, as in cheese is made from cow's milk and tofu is made from soy milk. Of course, the flavor is different than cheese, but the process to make it is very similar.
Tofu is made by soaking soybeans overnight until they're tender. Then, they're boiled and blended with water to make a sort of slush. The slush is then strained through cheesecloth. The liquid strained away is basically soy milk and the curd left behind is tofu.
Types of Tofu
You won't see a product labeled as "plain tofu" on the shelves, but you will see tofu available in a variety of ways for you to buy. The different types of tofu you are likely to see include:
- Soft tofu - Soft tofu is exactly what it sounds like, tofu that is silky and soft in texture. It's good for making puddings, soups, smoothies, and basically anything creamy. It will take on the flavor of whatever you prepare it with, which makes it a good choice to add plant-based protein to many dishes.
- Firm tofu - This tofu is of firmer texture than soft. You can actually find it in firm or extra firm styles, both of which are great for replacing meat in a recipe. As with other varieties of tofu, what makes it great is that it takes on the flavor of whatever you cook it with, so feel free to slice it up and add it to your favorite recipes in place of other types of meat.
- Flavored tofu - You can also find flavored tofu many places. It's basically tofu that has been marinated, smoked, or spiced and is ready for you to use. People often use it on sandwiches or in salads.
What are you waiting for? Tofu is ready for you to try it out and see what you think!
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