Sweet and Sour Tofu Recipe (Vegan) (2024)

FAQs

Which type of tofu is typically used to make desserts and creamy sauces? ›

More About Silken Tofu

It is often labeled soft, firm, or extra firm. Silken tofu works well in creamy and blended foods like smoothies, desserts, puddings, salad dressings, sauces, and dips.

We brine the tofu to draw moisture out, helping it crisp and brown. When preparing tofu for frying, we've always blotted it dry and tossed it in cornstarch, which absorbs exuded moisture and ensures a crispy exterior and better browning.

Blanch tofu for a fresher flavor

Some brands of tofu have a slightly sour taste that remains even after cooking. Blanching tofu in hot salted water brings out a fresher flavor while coaxing the tofu's inner moisture to the surface, making it easier to dry.

Both silken and regular tofu can be found in soft, medium, firm, and extra-firm consistencies. They are made with the same ingredients, but they are processed slightly differently and are not interchangeable in a recipe.

Tofu Nutrition

For relatively similar serving sizes, the nutrition differences between silken and firm tofu are pretty big. Silken tofu contains only about half the calories and fat, while firm tofu contains over twice the protein. The reason for this is water content.

This difference in taste is largely due to one key ingredient: salt. In the culinary world, salt is a key flavor enhancer that unlocks and elevates the natural tastes of food. When it comes to tofu, which is naturally quite mild-tasting, salt becomes a critical component in transforming it into something delicious.

For the tastiest results, marinade the tofu overnight. Roll slices or cubes of marinated tofu in some rice flour, potato starch, corn flour or grated coconut before pan-frying for an extra-crispy crust. Be sure to use a non-stick pan with a generous amount of oil. Deep-frying is also an option.

Pat each cube dry. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the vegetable oil and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the tofu and cook on all sides until golden brown, 2-4 minutes per side, then remove from the pan and set aside.

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It may seem counterintuitive to add water to something you're trying to dry out, but boiling water will actually cause the tofu to squeeze out more moisture, bringing it to the surface and making it easier to blot off, while the salt gently seasons the slices.

What happens if you don't rinse tofu? ›

Any food that is contaminated is going to make you ill. Remove the tofu from the packaging and rinse it thoroughly. If you are handling raw meat at the same time as the tofu, use separate utensils. Other than that, there are no risks to eating raw tofu.

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

Here's the thing: even though tofu might be labeled firm or extra-firm, it contains a lot of water. This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture.

Taste: If the tofu tastes sour or has an off flavor, it is likely spoiled and should not be eaten.

Extra-Firm Tofu.

Buy the refrigerated kind and be sure to buy extra-firm, as it has the ideal texture for baking.

Tofu: One block of tofu, either firm or extra-firm. I also strongly recommend buying organic tofu, if it's available. Oil: Olive oil, or whatever your preferred cooking oil may be. Cornstarch: This is the magic ingredient that helps make tofu (as well as many other foods) extra-crispy in the oven.

In general, I find that firm and extra-firm tofu are the most useful because they're versatile. They hit the tofu texture sweet spot—soft enough to absorb flavor but hardy enough to be cooked without risk of falling apart. Do note that some firm tofu, like House Foods', skews soft, more like medium-firm.

Silken tofu: Silken tofu is made using a thicker soymilk than block tofu and rather than being pressed, it is left to coagulate and thicken into a soft, silky, scoop-able tofu. It can be used to make smoothies, sauces, and salad dressings, and is often used as an egg replacement in vegan baking.