Tofu help needed.

[cyberfairy]

I have a big block of tofu in the fridge and making stir-fry tonite- Firstly how do you marinade tofu and what are your suggestions and secondly, how can you cook it without it all crumbling away? I adore that slippery tofu in sauce that you get at chinese restaurants-any idea how that is prepared as does not seem fried

 

[subversplat]

It's cubed, deep fried and then added to the stir fry after it's cooled. The fried outside turns all saucy and lovely despite what you imagine is going to happen.

 

[cyberfairy]

It's cubed, deep fried and then added to the stir fry after it's cooled. The fried outside turns all saucy and lovely despite what you imagine is going to happen.

Cheers for that-bit scared of deep frying though as my wok has a tendency to tip over and I have a tendency to be drunk and clumsy.

 

[subversplat]

Just use a saucepan and a wire basket.

 

[Shippou-Sensei]

i suddenly have a craving for kitsune udon

 

[Herbsman.]

Cheers for that-bit scared of deep frying though as my wok has a tendency to tip over and I have a tendency to be drunk and clumsy.

Try using a chip pan and try not getting drunk before cooking

Alternatively bake the tofu in the oven.

If your tofu falls apart when stir fried then you're using the wrong type,...

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

i suddenly have a craving for kitsune udon

Fox noodles?

 

[subversplat]

Fox noodles?

Err, apparently so.

I guess the tofus look like fox ears

 

[crustychick]

the marinade I usually use is soy sauce (tamari usually), fresh ginger, fresh garlic and a dash of sweet chilli sauce.

the chinese-style tofu is usually deep fried

I usually just fry mine in very hot oil on each side (I usually have it cut into strips) before adding anything else - to, for example, a stir fry.

 

[Herbsman.]

the marinade I usually use is soy sauce (tamari usually), fresh ginger, fresh garlic and a dash of sweet chilli sauce.

I use the above but with fresh chillis instead of chilli sauce, plus, lemon or lime juice.

A good tip I got was to squeeze the tofu in a tea towel first to get some of the water out. That way it will absorb more of the marinade.

 

[dada]

if the tofu you got is the hard one, no need to deep fry and you'll be able to fry them on a pan without them end up looking like scramble eggs.

 

[cyberfairy]

Cheers all-I'm tempted by the baking in an oven idea as probably healthier than frying-I presume you coat it in marinade of choice then pop in on medium heat?

 

[Pieface]

Gaijingirl does a similar thing to get excess water out - she balances a chopping board on top of the slab of tofu and it presses it out...

 

[Herbsman.]

I forgot to say, coating tofu in flour before frying seems to work well for me, it makes the outside more crispy and tasty

 

[crustychick]

I forgot to say, coating tofu in flour before frying seems to work well for me, it makes the outside more crispy and tasty

After marinading?

 

[sojourner]

Does it taste of anything, tofu?

 

[subversplat]

Does it taste of anything, tofu?

It's a kind of flat chalky taste if you just eat it out of the packet, but that'd be silly

 

[sojourner]

It's a kind of flat chalky taste if you just eat it out of the packet, but that'd be silly

So it's like other substitutes - utterly rank without other flavours?

Christ, I'm glad I'm devoid of principles

 

[aqua]

tofu I'm told can be lovely

I think it's rank

 

[cyberfairy]

So it's like other substitutes - utterly rank without other flavours?

Christ, I'm glad I'm devoid of principles

It's not really a substitute-it is eaten in huge quantities alongside meat in Asia

 

[Chairman Meow]

Throw it in the bin. Tofu mings.

 

[Strumpet]

Yes soj....R A N K bleurgh.

 

[subversplat]

So it's like other substitutes - utterly rank without other flavours?

Christ, I'm glad I'm devoid of principles

Well, it's an ingredient rather than a meal of its own.

I think that expecting tofu to taste like a side of beef straight out of the pack is a bit unfair seeing as it's a deliberate extraction of a textured protein to add to other, lacking, dishes.

 

[cyberfairy]

Throw it in the bin. Tofu mings.

I was unaware my thread was called 'Tell me what you think of Tofu-that will make me change my mind about what I am going to have for tea tonite and in fact make me re-evaluate my whole life'

 

[sojourner]

It's not really a substitute-it is eaten in huge quantities alongside meat in Asia

Mmm, but everyone I know in the UK who eats it is a veggie

 

[cyberfairy]

Mmm, but everyone I know in the UK who eats it is a veggie

You just hang around in dangerously left wing circles

 

[sojourner]

Well, it's an ingredient rather than a meal of its own.

I think that expecting tofu to taste like a side of beef straight out of the pack is a bit unfair seeing as it's a deliberate extraction of a textured protein to add to other, lacking, dishes.

I wasn't

I just wondered what it tastes like. I ate quorn for the whole 9 months that my daughter was a veggie, and found it agreeable when smothered in various sauces/flavours, but rank on its own. I've never had tofu. Now I know

 

[sojourner]

You just hang around in dangerously left wing circles

I can make a great mushroom stroganoff, did I mention?

 

[crustychick]

I wasn't

I just wondered what it tastes like. I ate quorn for the whole 9 months that my daughter was a veggie, and found it agreeable when smothered in various sauces/flavours, but rank on its own. I've never had tofu. Now I know

however, quorn is also EEEEEEEEEEEVILLLLLLLLLL, whereas tofu is righteous delicious (when properly prepared) goodness

 

[cyberfairy]

I wasn't

I just wondered what it tastes like. I ate quorn for the whole 9 months that my daughter was a veggie, and found it agreeable when smothered in various sauces/flavours, but rank on its own. I've never had tofu. Now I know

It's more of a texture thing IMO although the pre-marinaded Caudron stuff has a lovely taste. Sort of slippery chewy. I don't eat much of it tbh but making chinese later-can never seem to get it as nice as the MSG soaked stuff in chinese buffets.