Results 1 to 29 of 29

Thread: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    long beach, ca
    Posts
    11

    Default How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    Cooking with tofu can sometimes be a pain because it has such a high water content that in can take forever to sauté it to a good texture, and can actually make the other ingredients you're cooking with soggy too.

    Texturizing your tofu is basically squeezing out a lot of the water before cooking with it so that you don't have to cook the water out to get a great texture.

    It's simple, you need a cutting board, some paper towels and clean hands. Take "firm" style tofu and cut it into about three equal sized blocks. Now simply take each piece in both hands and, over your sink, squeeze the tofu until water comes running out of your hands. Do this with all three blocks and then put the tofu back on the cutting board.

    Using a few paper towels, cover the tofu and press it against the cutting board until the towels are soaked.

    Your tofu is now a 'chunkier' texture and will cook way faster.

    Throw some onions and taco seasoning in a little simmering olive oil and your ready for some "tofu ground" that will rock!

    Dan
    Couch Vegan Guitar Straps
    http://www.couchguitarstraps.com

  2. #2
    told me to Mr Flibble's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Warwickshire, UK
    Posts
    2,639

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    errr, without wanting to sound ungreatful: isn't that what everyone does?

    (the squeezing water out before cooking, not the adding onions or cutting into 3 pieces)

  3. #3
    hydrophilic tipsy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    PDX
    Posts
    938

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    ive actually known quite a few vegans or vegetarians that ive had to "share" this "secret" with...
    the aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, dunkenly, serenely, divinely aware.
    -henry miller

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    London, UK
    Posts
    2,344

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    y'mean they didn't drain the tofu properly?

    yum, squish.

  5. #5
    hydrophilic tipsy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    PDX
    Posts
    938

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    right!

    they kept wondering why their tofu dishes were tastless and watery...
    the aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, dunkenly, serenely, divinely aware.
    -henry miller

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    London, UK
    Posts
    2,344

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    well duh.

    gotta press that tofu!

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    long beach, ca
    Posts
    11

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    in response to the post below, this is different from draining.

    It's weird, i've know some people who've eaten tofu for years without knowing this as simple as it is. What i've noticed of all the tofu pressing methods you'll read about in books like "putting two cutting boards together with a weight on top" or whatever, that simply cutting the block into three pieces and using your clean hands separates tons of water from the tofu in hardly any time whatsoever.

    I gotcha though, if you already press your tofu then cool!

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Salisbury
    Posts
    773

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    There's got to be a market for a proper tofu press, hasn't there - something that looks like a flower press or whatever? Can't one of you bright sparks hurry up and do that for me?

  9. #9
    told me to Mr Flibble's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Warwickshire, UK
    Posts
    2,639

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    I've just used my hands for firm tofu for years, I thought everyone did? I don't cut mine first, just do it whole. You need to be careful and you get better at it in time, but it's dead easy anyway. I've too read in books about boards, but I always assumed that that's for silken tofu.

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Salisbury
    Posts
    773

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    Ditto. I squeeze firm tofu (and like you, thought everyone did), and I drain silken tofu - that's what I want a tofu press for, please.

  11. #11
    fortified twinkle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Midlands, UK
    Posts
    1,763

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    I'm a "use heavy object to press out water" person, although I squeeze if I haven't got time. I sometimes put it on a plate then put another plate on top, drain what comes out after a few seconds and then leave it for 10 mins or so to get more liquid out.

    If it gets the same results by just squeezing I guess I'll try that next time
    "If you don't have a song to sing you're okay, you know how to get along humming" Waltz (better than fine) - Fiona Apple

  12. #12
    told me to Mr Flibble's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Warwickshire, UK
    Posts
    2,639

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    I squeeze mine under runnign water to start with, so the old water goes out, new water soaks in, goes out, more clean in etc, then turn off the water after 20 seconds and squeeze for another 20. Using plates seems like a very complicated way to create more washing up

  13. #13
    cherished emmapresley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    w.yorks
    Posts
    1,255

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    plate weight and wait is naff..i'm all for the chop 'm' squeeze method. then cook it up with a stack of other stuff. woop.
    ahronli sed ah dunit so thid tek thuh cheyus graytuh offa mi nihbles

  14. #14
    sugarmouse
    Guest

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    I stamp on mine, wearing walking boots.
    Nah I dont realy. Chopping board underneath, one on top and jump with your hands on top one!

  15. #15
    seitan
    Guest

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    the best texture i have evr got for tofu is freezing it!
    try it

  16. #16
    Maisiepaisie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Manchester UK
    Posts
    914

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    ^^ I've tried that, didn't seem to make much difference. Are you supposed to squeeze out the water before freezing or not?
    The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well

  17. #17
    seitan
    Guest

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    Quote Maisiepaisie View Post
    ^^ I've tried that, didn't seem to make much difference. Are you supposed to squeeze out the water before freezing or not?
    i ddint, i just threw it in as it was. ive only done it with the cauldron tofu (when it was 2 for 1 in morrisons).

  18. #18
    Maisiepaisie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Manchester UK
    Posts
    914

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    I did it with Cauldron tofu too. Maybe I should have cooked it from frozen. I let it defrost first then squeezed the water out as usual. It tasted pretty much the same
    The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well

  19. #19
    Hemlock's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    South Downs UK
    Posts
    1,312

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    I only just realised that tofu should be squeezed recently Corum has to do it as it's hard to squeeze tofu properly with semi-functioning thumb joints - bring on the tofu press.
    We also tried freezing tofu (Cauldron) so we could buy in bulk but it went all funny - looked like swiss cheese and didn't taste right. A bit like soya milk goes when you put it in really hot coffee.
    Silent but deadly :p

  20. #20
    told me to Mr Flibble's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Warwickshire, UK
    Posts
    2,639

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    You're not meant to squeeze before freezing - it's the water expanding as it turns to ice that changes the texture and makes it go spongy.

    I used to freeze mine year ago when I didn't really know how to get the texture I wanted through cooking. I can now eat tofu raw (I had a whole block of smoked last week from the fridge), but I like the texture when it's been fried properly (crisp on the outside, steamed on the inside).

  21. #21
    Maisiepaisie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Manchester UK
    Posts
    914

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    So what do you do when you take the tofu out of the freezer. Do you let it thaw then squeeze or cut it up and cook it from frozen?
    The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well

  22. #22

    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    long beach, ca
    Posts
    11

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    Freezing tofu is a good way to go too- it is actually a traditional Japanese preparation method- and there are dishes in Japanese cuisine that include both frozen and non frozen prepared tofu because they are so different in taste and texture.

    The easiest way to do it is to just cut one slice of the plastic covering the common packaged tofu and drain all the water out of that slice without exposing the tofu. Then just throw it in the freezer as it is- it takes about 30 seconds this way.

    Freezing tofu changes the color and texture of tofu from white and soft to more yellow and spongy, similar to scrambled egg or chicken in color or texture. I like to use it as a burrito filling like this, and it's also really good in sandwiches because it's way less apt to slide around like regular tofu might.

  23. #23
    told me to Mr Flibble's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Warwickshire, UK
    Posts
    2,639

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    Admittedly it's a while ago since I had chicken, but I don't remember it being spongey! I wouldn't say that the texture of frozen/thawed tofu is like any meat I've come across.

    Did the japanese traditionally have freezers or was it only on the winter menu?

  24. #24

    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    long beach, ca
    Posts
    11

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    I think it was only the "arctic japanese", a colony that lived just south of the north pole in the late 1690's. Later, this method was reintroduced to the japanese mainstream during the advent of the ice box in the 1920's.

    actually i read that in a paperback book in the early 90's, i think it was entitled "tofu", that was all about traditional, or at least japanese-specific tofu preparation methods, but i long ago lent it away....

    anyone ever read that book?

  25. #25
    cherished emmapresley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    w.yorks
    Posts
    1,255

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    Quote Maisiepaisie View Post
    So what do you do when you take the tofu out of the freezer. Do you let it thaw then squeeze or cut it up and cook it from frozen?
    good luck hacking away at a frozen block of tofu maisie!
    thaw then squeeze

    (i just take mine out the freezer and leave it for half the day or overnight in the packet sealed then open drain and chop and squeeze.)
    ahronli sed ah dunit so thid tek thuh cheyus graytuh offa mi nihbles

  26. #26
    told me to Mr Flibble's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Warwickshire, UK
    Posts
    2,639

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    You can also put it in a bowl of boiling water

  27. #27
    cherished emmapresley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    w.yorks
    Posts
    1,255

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    that's just crazy..i am from the luddite north after all etc etc
    ahronli sed ah dunit so thid tek thuh cheyus graytuh offa mi nihbles

  28. #28
    baffled harpy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    6,655

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    I thought the frozen tofu was traditionally prepared in the mountains where they have snow?

    http://www.naturalimport.com/inc/sdetail/6635

    (I actually bought some of this stuff once but I think I must have given it away - at any rate I don't remember eating it.)

    Never heard of the Arctic Japanese - sounds intriguing!

  29. #29
    Eeeeediot! Shrapnel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Utah
    Posts
    372

    Default Re: How to texturize your tofu in one minute!

    Heh, the first time I had tofu, I didn't even know the freeze trick.
    Czujesz się wolny i robisz co chcesz. Jesteś piratem!

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 19
    Last Post: May 7th, 2012, 12:59 PM
  2. how much tofu is too much?
    By xjohnx in forum Breakfast, lunch & dinner
    Replies: 32
    Last Post: Feb 24th, 2011, 11:07 PM
  3. How to make cheese sauce in 1 minute
    By songlife in forum Breakfast, lunch & dinner
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: Dec 28th, 2008, 08:07 AM
  4. I need tofu help...
    By Misanthrope in forum VEGAN FOOD
    Replies: 25
    Last Post: Mar 5th, 2008, 11:11 PM
  5. Which Tofu!?
    By mandee in forum VEGAN FOOD
    Replies: 30
    Last Post: Jun 10th, 2007, 07:46 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •