Introduction
Don’t dry the tofu – the seasoning will stick much better if your tofu is a little moist on the surface. Don’t press it: squeezing the tofu makes it hard, rubbery and jerky. We don’t want that. Instead, we want fried tofu that’s soft, almost silky on the inside and crispy on the outside.
What is tofu ice cream?
When tofu freezes, its water turns into ice crystals, which creates tiny sponge-like holes that remain after the tofu thaws and the ice turns to water. As an article by Slate explains, frozen tofu is “much softer, firmer, and chewier than ever.”
Is tofu good cold?
It’s delicious hot or cold, as long as you use a good marinade/sauce.
What happens if I freeze tofu?
When frozen, tofu magically transforms: its texture becomes denser and chewier, with tons of little holes resembling coral reefs. Although I hate to spoil the fun, this magic is actually a simple science: the water in tofu expands when it freezes, thus destroying the original structure.
Does freezing tofu make it better?
Freezing the tofu will not only prevent the vegetable protein from spoiling, but it is also a way to give the tofu a “meatier” texture. Oh, and tofu absorbs marinades and spices even better than just squeezing the tofu (which you should do if you haven’t already).
Can you eat cold raw tofu?
Although tofu comes in a variety of textures (silky, firm, and extra-firm), all of them can technically be eaten raw. Before enjoying raw tofu, drain the excess liquid from the package. It’s also important to store tofu well to prevent germs from growing in unused portions.
Is it healthy to eat tofu?
Tofu contains several vitamins and nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, B vitamins, and iron. It is also a good source of manganese, copper and zinc. Additionally, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics mentions that tofu also has antioxidant properties.
When not to eat tofu?
Avoid tofu if you are taking medications called MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) for mood disorders or Parkinson’s disease. Tofu contains tyramine, an amino acid that helps balance blood pressure. MAOIs block the enzyme that breaks down tyramine. Combine the two and your blood pressure could rise dangerously.
What can’t you mix with tofu?
Tofu contains a lot of water, even after being pressed, and oil and water do not mix. Using oil in the marinade will actually create a layer of oil on the tofu, which means the flavors will never be absorbed. So skip the oil in your marinades and opt for extra vinegar, soy sauce, citrus juice, or broth.
Can we eat undrained tofu?
You can eat raw tofu straight from the package if you like, but you’ll probably want to drain some of the excess water first, as it can be messy and doesn’t add anything to the experience.
Conclusion
Frozen tofu causes the water trapped in the tofu to expand, which enlarges these pores. Once you thaw frozen tofu, you end up with a thicker tofu texture that has bigger holes in it (it’s like cheddar turning into Swiss cheese).
