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Marthe48

(23,517 posts)
Thu May 28, 2026, 02:57 PM 3 hrs ago

Experimenting 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!





6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Experimenting with tofu today (Original Post) Marthe48 3 hrs ago OP
I've got a couple things to try sboatcar 2 hrs ago #1
Thanks for the tips Marthe48 2 hrs ago #2
There's some ideas there. bucolic_frolic 2 hrs ago #3
I've fried it to go into stir fry Marthe48 2 hrs ago #4
Miso soup Sanity Claws 1 hr ago #5
I'll keep that in mind Marthe48 30 min ago #6

sboatcar

(873 posts)
1. I've got a couple things to try
Thu May 28, 2026, 03:13 PM
2 hrs ago

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)
2. Thanks for the tips
Thu May 28, 2026, 03:18 PM
2 hrs ago

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)
3. There's some ideas there.
Thu May 28, 2026, 03:18 PM
2 hrs ago

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)
4. I've fried it to go into stir fry
Thu May 28, 2026, 03:24 PM
2 hrs ago

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)
5. Miso soup
Thu May 28, 2026, 05:00 PM
1 hr ago

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)
6. I'll keep that in mind
Thu May 28, 2026, 05:39 PM
30 min ago

I've got miso I need to use. Maybe next time I'm in the mood for soup.

Thanks for the idea!

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