Tofu is a flavorless, tasteless wonder right?
Wrong. It is if you eat it plain out of the package, or if it's prepared wrong (for example, it's not pressed or seasoned.) Imagine eating a chicken breast that's overcooked and completely devoid of salt and pepper. You see why people hate tofu.
Tofu has no natural taste or flavor, making it the perfect blank canvas for any cuisine. Tofu extends beyond Asian stir fries. Chop it up for tofu tacos, or layer it into a frittata instead of eggs.
However you prepare your tofu the first step is pressing. Tofu is often packed in water, so applying pressure removes some of the water. This allows tofu to absorb a marinade or spice easier.
After opening the tofu package, wrap the block in a few paper towels. If you're vegetarian, it's worth investing in a tofu press. My favorite is the EZ Tofu Press. It's affordable and works great. You adjust the screws to apply pressure, slowly tightening the press every 10 minutes for optimal draining.
Credit: Alexa Lampasona
Credit: Alexa Lampasona
If you don’t want to invest in the press, another easy method is using two sheet pans and a stack of cookbooks. Start by wrapping the tofu in paper towels, then place it on top of a sheet pan. Stack another sheet pan on top of the tofu, creating a “sandwich.” Stack a few heavy cookbooks on top of the sheet pan.
Credit: Alexa Lampasona
Credit: Alexa Lampasona
The longer you press tofu, the more water will drain and the “thicker” it will taste. I recommend at least 30 minutes. If you’re pressing longer, press it in the fridge so it doesn’t get too soft.
Once your tofu is pressed, remove the paper towels and continue to season as necessary! Tomorrow we’ll share a few ways to cook up your tofu.
Credit: Alexa Lampasona
Credit: Alexa Lampasona
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