A Guide To Tofu

How To Use Different Types Of Tofu

All varieties of tofu share one thing - they are made from the milk of soybeans. However, they vary in texture and character and different types of tofu are better suited to different dishes. Take a look at the most popular varieties of tofu and how they are used.

• Silken/ Soft Tofu is made with less soy milk and more water and isn’t as firmly pressed as other varieties of tofu. For this reason it holds flavour well, but is very delicate. It’s best used as an addition to soups and in sweet dishes as it has a consistency similar to custard. It’s often thought of as more challenging to cook with as it falls apart easily. You wouldn’t add soft tofu to a stir fry or try to bake it, as it wouldn’t hold its shape at all. It's available both refrigerated and in long-life packets. Freshly made silken tofu is a luxury absolutely worth seeking out on your travels. 
• Silken/ Firm Tofu: This version of tofu still maintains its softy, silky texture but holds its shape in cooking and can be used in noodle dishes and broths as well as being great for baking and grilling. Firm Tofu is ideal for deep frying too, as the inside remains soft but holds enough shape to allow the outside to crisp up when coated in e.g. potato flour.
• Firm Tofu: Firm tofu is usually refrigerated. It is more firmly pressed than silken tofu, and may have a very slightly grainy texture. Firm tofu is very easy to slice, griddle, bbq and deep-fry as it holds its shape extremely well. To think of the textures in fruit / vegetable terms, slicing firm tofu is like slicing a peach, whereas slicing silken-firm tofu is more like slicing a very ripe avocado. 
• Organic Tofu: Organic tofu can be any form of tofu where the soybeans are organically grown.
• Beancurd Skin: Although not strictly tofu, when you rapidly boil soy milk a skin forms on the surface. This is lifted off and dried to make beancurd skin. Rehydrate the rolled beancurd skin sticks in boiling water and then use in recipes with richly flavoured stocks much like you might cook firm tofu. 

Tofu Health Benefits

The health benefits of tofu are vast, and are mainly derived from soya beans. Soya beans are a great source of protein, and have a lower saturated fat content that their meat alternatives. Variants like the Satono Yuki Tofu have over 25% soya content, making them especially high in protein, fibre and Omega-3 fatty acids.

Tofu is also naturally gluten free and low in calories, making it perfect for those who want a lighter option or are trying to lose weight. Due to the amount of LDL fats (good fats) it’s thought to have a positive effect on the heart and may even lower cholesterol and help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

How To Cook Tofu

If you’re just beginning to learn how to cook tofu, then you may want some inspiration. Take a look at these popular ways to cook tofu, that will allow you to add it to any dish as a healthy meat alternative.

How To Cook Marinated Tofu 

Marinating tofu is an amazing way to allow the ingredient to soak up flavours. Beware though - adding oil to a marinade will make the absorption tricky. Instead of oil, use a blend of herbs and spices like the Thai Seven Spice mix with soy sauce and leave it for around an hour before cooking. 

Adding marinated tofu to a noodle stir fry can be a great option, or alternatively cook marinated firm tofu on a griddle pan and serve with roasted vegetables.

How To Grill Tofu

Using a gridlle pan to give delicious charred marks on marinated tofu is a great way to keep it at healthy as possible. However, for this technique, you will need to use extra firm tofu that won’t fall apart when griddled.

Spicy tofu is great on the grill and is the perfect addition to a summer salad. Simply marinate tofu with soy sauce, cayenne pepper, chilli pepper, garlic powder and paprika and cut it in to slightly thinner, longer strips before grilling it. Add this to a salad of your choice.

Or if you are still keen to add tofu to a roast vegetable salad and only have a firm silken tofu available, leave the marinated tofu to drain on kitchen paper in a colandar before cooking. And then pan-fry in a tiny amount of oil. 

How to Smoke Tofu

Extra firm tofu is great hot-smoked in a stovetop smoker, again without adding any extra fat during cooking. Just drain it well, pat dry on a tea-towel and then hot smoke it for around thirty minutes.

The smoked tofu can be sliced to bring flavour to more mellow dishes, for example an egg-fried rice recipe. 

How To Use Tofu in Ramen Dishes

Tofu tastes amazing in Japanese ramen, and soaks up all of those delicious flavours perfectly. It’s a really quick and easy addition to your traditional ramen broth, simply cook up your ramen as you usually would and then add the tofu and leave to simmer for 2-3 minutes.

How to Use Tofu in Soups

Tofu is a classic ingredient in Japanese soups and broths. Most famously tofu is added to simple Japanese miso soup, or even to add a protein to more elaborate miso broths with noodles and roast vegetables. 

Tofu served in a spicy broth in South Korea

How to Deep-Fry Tofu

Agedashi tofu is one of Japan's most famous tofu dishes. Silken tofu is patted dry, rolled in potato flour and deep-fried. Although the tofu is very mellow, you add flavour by serving it in a rich broth of sake, soy sauce, Japanese mirin wine and dashi. 

You can also deep-fry firm tofu. It is still best to pat the tofu dry, and then coat the tofu in flour before frying, to give it a crisp golden crust.

Tofu in Desserts

Soft, silken tofu tastes amazing in desserts as it has a custard-like texture that absorbs sugars well whilst holding its shape when baked. Many people use tofu in desserts such as dairy-free cheesecakes and sweet pies. They are also a fantastic addition to dairy-free smoothies and milkshakes as they add a lovely creamy thickness.