Cooking & Baking
Related: About this forumExperimenting with tofu today
I haven't done this before, but since tofu is under $2/lb. and chicken is $3, I wanted to try a new way to prepare tofu, not just added to tika masala. I sliced a 1 pound package of extra firm tofu into 6 slabs (cut the square in half across the width, then turned each half on its side and cut into 3 slabs each) I simmered the slabs in salted water I brought to a boil and reduced to let the slabs simmer between 5 and 10 minutes. I drained the pieces on a clean dish cloth, and then marinated 4 of the slabs in buttermilk for about an hour. I made a breading of flour, corn starch, a little baking powder, and paprika. I heated bacon fat left from breakfast this morning, added some olive oil and oil refrigerated from chicken I fried last week. After I breaded the slabs, I gently put them into the heated mix of oil and fat. Added salt, pepper, paprika, onion and garlic and fried them til they were crisp on both sides. I only fried 2 of the slabs. I'm letting 2 more soak in the buttermilk for a longer period of time. I think I will slice the last 2 slabs into thin slices and prepare them as tofu bacon.
Boiling is supposed to let the tofu soak up marinades more completely and fry with a crisper texture.
I ate one of the buttermilk marinated and breaded/fried slabs on a bun with mayo and dill slices. It was okay, but next time, I'll slice the tofu into thinner slabs, going for crispy. I also think I could use more salt when I fry it.
Home Ec kitchen is closed for the day!
sboatcar
(873 posts)First off, I've found that putting it in the marinade, then freezing it, also helps, it seems to help firm up the tofu a bit as well. I've also pressed a lot of the water out, and then baked them to remove some more of the water, then sauteed that (after marinating) in olive oil. Turns out pretty well, I usually cut it into strips or cubes and eat them that way, the bigger the piece, I've found the less satisfying the texture is.
Marthe48
(23,517 posts)I make tofu jerky for my kids as a treat at Christmas. It turns out well, but I want to see if simmering the tofu will intensify the flavor.
I'll definitely slice it thinner next try
bucolic_frolic
(55,958 posts)If I eat tofu, which doesn't happen often, I fry cubes or slabs in oil with ginger and add it to chow mein - bok choy, onions, celery, maybe a carrot and other green vegetables. Bamboo shoots and water chestnuts optional.
Marthe48
(23,517 posts)I like it best in tika masala sauce with peas, onions and garlic added, with rice.
Thanks for the idea
Sanity Claws
(22,446 posts)I started making miso soup with tofu, seaweed, and dried mushrooms a few months ago. It is so much easier than I thought it would be. You might want to try it. Healthwise, it is fantastic.
Marthe48
(23,517 posts)I've got miso I need to use. Maybe next time I'm in the mood for soup.
Thanks for the idea!