Once you've been Tofued... You won't go back!
What is Tofu?
Everyone's heard of it, but most aren't really sure what it is. Tofu is a soya curd, made by curdling soya milk. It is known for its versatility and its exceptional content of nutrients essential for a persons diet. It is available in three consistencies-
- Firm - This has a goats cheese appearance and texture. It is moist, yet crumbly. It is white in colour. This Tofu is suitable for frying, grilling and eating raw.
- Soft - This is more of a liquidy tofu. Leaning towards mozzarella in comparison. This tofu is suitable for blending.
- Silk - Silken Tofu is almost all liquid, it is ideal for cake making and cooking.
Is it healthy?
Tofu is phenomenally healthy. It is packed full of nutrients and goodness, which unlike meat, is almost impossible to cook out. Tofu contains Vitamin B and high quality protein. Due to the curdling process, tofu contains a high level of calcium that helps to contribute in the prevention of Osteoporosis.
Tofu is easy to digest and is low in 'bad' cholesterol and high in 'good' cholesterol.
How do I cook it?
The beauty of Tofu is that it is so versatile. It is extremely bland in flavour (although you can buy flavoured Tofu), which goes in it's favour as it can be easily flavoured to accompany any dish. Tofu can be eaten raw, it can be fried or grilled, diced and put on a salad or used in cakes.
Where do I get it?
Almost all health food shops sell Tofu and several supermarkets. I have come across it in smaller shops. Tofu can also be purchased online.
How long does it keep?
Tofu usually comes in water inside packaging or a box. Once it is opened it should still be stored in water and kept refrigerated. The water should be changed daily and the Tofu kept for no longer than 3 days.
Tofu can be frozen for up to three months although its texture will become slightly chewier when the time comes to eating it.