How to make your own tofu?

[basteq]

Here's the thing : I want to make tofu.
According to them (http://www.soymilkmaker.com/making_tofu.html) , them (http://www.tofu.com/whatis.html) and them (http://www.soya.be/how-to-make-tofu.php) in process of making tofu you need coagulant :
- Nigari (natural magnesium chloride) OR
- natural calcium sulfate

NOW WHERE DO I GET THOSE OR WHAT ARE THE SUBSTITUTES THAT CAN BE BOUGHT IN AVERAGE EUROPEAN GROCERY.

I read on some polish site (I'm polish) that you can use MILK ACID (?) or NATURAL YOGURT. I would use them but then again how much?

[animalsvoice]

No idea :/

[Snowdrift]

I got the tofu box & nigari from soyafresh (http://www.soyafresh.co.uk/makingtofu.htm) . I did want to make my own, and will now.....I just have to be careful which sort of wood i use.......but its so easy with the programmed soya maker, and tastes wonderful.....all you need to do is make a box using untreated wood like in the pic in the link above :rolleyes: :)

I have just read a very worrying report on coagulant used in a lot of tofu. it seems that it is dangerous to health :eek: :eek: :eek: ....Glucono-delta-lactone ( which may not be vegan either!!! ) is used to coagulate the curds as it sets later than nigari and so can be used to pcak in tetra-packs.....but have a look at the health implications here (http://www.drugs.com/MMX/Citric_Acid__Glucono_delta_lactone__and_Magnesium_ Carbonate.html) and how its used in tofu production here (http://www.roquette.fr/fr/Products/GDLTofu.pdf)....

[Tofu Monster]

i'm awaiting delivery of my soya milk maker and tofu pressy thingy so i will give this one a try as soon as i work out how to make my own tofu.

apparently when you make home-made tofu you can make it to the consistency that you like it by pressing out more or less of the liquid. that's good cos i like it firmer than you can often buy in the shops.

[mamamimi]

does anyone have some receipies to make home made tofu with millet, black beans, almonds, or any other main ingredient outside of soy? thanks

[veganful]

Do you have any coops around you? Or specialty food store? They might have catalogs where you can order the stuff.


Ileana



Here's the thing : I want to make tofu.
According to them (http://www.soymilkmaker.com/making_tofu.html) , them (http://www.tofu.com/whatis.html) and them (http://www.soya.be/how-to-make-tofu.php) in process of making tofu you need coagulant :
- Nigari (natural magnesium chloride) OR
- natural calcium sulfate

NOW WHERE DO I GET THOSE OR WHAT ARE THE SUBSTITUTES THAT CAN BE BOUGHT IN AVERAGE EUROPEAN GROCERY.

I read on some polish site (I'm polish) that you can use MILK ACID (?) or NATURAL YOGURT. I would use them but then again how much?

[karen]

Thanks Ileana,
I'll try it in the morning and let you know! :)

[Korn]

Home Tofu Making Kit (including Nigari) (http://www.ethicaljuicers.co.uk/milkmaking_tofubox.php) http://www.ethicaljuicers.co.uk/images/tofubox.jpg

[DianeVegan]

I just made my first batch of homemade tofu and it was GREAT! I can't believe how easy it was to make. And it was the sweetest tasting tofu I've had. I used epsom salts as the coagulant and a fine mesh strainer with cheese cloth (so it wasn't shaped square). Perhaps I will buy a kit that makes it square, or just get a square strainer. Either way, I am hooked! It's cheap and easy and tastes so much better than store-bought. Now, if only I could figure out how to make silken tofu............

[tails4wagging]

I just made my first batch of homemade tofu and it was GREAT! I can't believe how easy it was to make. And it was the sweetest tasting tofu I've had. I used epsom salts as the coagulant and a fine mesh strainer with cheese cloth (so it wasn't shaped square). Perhaps I will buy a kit that makes it square, or just get a square strainer. Either way, I am hooked! It's cheap and easy and tastes so much better than store-bought. Now, if only I could figure out how to make silken tofu............

I made it once never got round to repeating it though, as it is so easy to buy now.

[moochbabe]

Hi, i REALLY love tofu, and I am interested in making my own, especially cuz my mom complains that store bought isn't cheap. Where can I get a good recipe for it, I'd love to try my hand at it! And does anyone have a good recipe for like a teriyaki tofu burger thing? I saw it somewhere once, and it sounded lovely, and I really wanna make it. Thanx! :)

[DianeVegan]

I don't have the book I used on hand right now but will post when I get it again.

[DianeVegan]

Here it is:

"The Tofu Book: The New American Cuisine" by John Paino & Lisa Messinger (1991)

You can buy tofu making kits but this book makes it a simple and basic as possible.

[moochbabe]

That's really cool cuz i've been really wanting to try my hand at making tofu, this'll be a good way to start i hope!

[Korn]

i'm awaiting delivery of my soya milk maker and tofu pressy thingy so i will give this one a try as soon as i work out how to make my own tofu.

Hih, did youy try it yet? What kind of coagulant did you use? Anyone tried apple juice or lemon juice?

[Blueshark]

Hih, did youy try it yet? What kind of coagulant did you use? Anyone tried apple juice or lemon juice?

I would be interested to know to. But after DianeVegan's comments - I think I should try it myself. Will probably end up with Soya yogurt though :D

[Korn]

I would be interested to know to. But after DianeVegan's comments - I think I should try it myself. Will probably end up with Soya yogurt though :D

I'm sure her solution is good - I just haven't figured out where to get epsom salts where I live yet...

[DianeVegan]

Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate) can be found in pharmacy stores here in the U.S. It is also used as a laxative and as soaking salts in the bath - very versatile and economical.:)

[~Luna~]

Calcium sulfate should be found in every drug store and in craft stores they sell the same stuff in big bags (it`s really cheap there though it`s originally meant for casts). I`ve used calcium sulfate bought in craft store but I guess calcium sulfate would be of better quality in drug stores.

[Korn]

Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate) can be found in pharmacy stores here in the U.S. Thanks, I have ordered some today. Now I just need to figure out how much I need for the soy milk to coagulate...

[ConsciousCuisine]

Home Tofu Making Kit (including Nigari) (http://www.ethicaljuicers.co.uk/milkmaking_tofubox.php) http://www.ethicaljuicers.co.uk/images/tofubox.jpg
Sadly, that tofu making kit has been discontinued :(

[Korn]

Sadly, that tofu making kit has been discontinued :(

Here's another one:
http://www.tofumaster.org/http://www.tofumaster.org/images66/tofu_kit.jpg

[DianeVegan]

Thanks, I have ordered some today. Now I just need to figure out how much I need for the soy milk to coagulate...
Here (http://www.ellenskitchen.com/faqs/tofumilk.html#tofu) is a website that may help. It's long but one of the most fact-filled descriptions I have read. The recipe I have used calls for 2 1/2 teaspoons epsom salts to each 1 cup dried beans (the salts need to be dissolved in water first).

The above website refers to the beany taste of some homemade soymilks. I usually make tofu from mine so I don't worry about it. Instead of blending boiling water with the beans, I do room temperature water then bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. (There seems to be many different ways of making tofu).

Thanks for the tofu kit site - my tofu kit has an uneven bottom, very annoying.

[Jamie]

ok well I've read through this thread and it's not making a huge amount of sense, bit it is Monday today (masquerading as Tuesday!!!)....

Has anyone tried the tofu master kit and is it straightforward?? can you make silken as well as firm?

I have had trouble finding proper soft silken tofu, and I would also like to be able to make flavoured tofu cheaper than I can get it in the shops (like Grafitti).

And how long does it take to do? is it messy? does it take up much kitchen space? Does it make much at once?

Please help! :)

[Mr Flibble]

i've been looking into it in recent months, but haven't had any money to spare for it yet! I've far more useful things to shop for at the moment, like wireless bunnies