Tofu... The food I was terrified of but can't live without

I'll admit it, when I first went Vegan Tofu scared me and I'd already decided I didn't like it before I tasted it.  

So ... what's the issue with Tofu? 

I think tofu has an unfair reputation,  After "don't you miss bacon" I usually get told "I couldn't eat Tofu" and I usually respond with how someone once told me when I said the same thing ..... "if you don't like tofu, then you're not doing it right"

Tofu doesn't have a strong flavour, but it's a great carrier of flavour, It's a blank canvas for you to create your own creation, whether that be spicy, crispy, creamy, cheesy, eggy or even sweet. The trick is learning which tofu to use, It is so versatile it can be used to make silky sauces, a fantastic replacement for egg in Quiche or scrambled tofu, or beautiful creamy pudding such as Chocolate mousse. 

Brand vs Supermarket

I'm all for a bargain, especially with the cost of living increasing at the rate of knots, however I do find the cheaper alternatives require more preparation, they do need to be pressed to allow the excess water out, however I find these better for scrambled tofu, or mashed for "egg" sandwich filling.  When I want texture or crispy I will always go for extra firm branded, this is my personal opinion. 

How to know which Tofu you need?

• Extra firm- Holds shape the best, zero pressing needed, crisps up well
• Firm - I use this the least due to having to press to remove moisture, makes a nice mashed "egg" sandwich filler
• Silken- used for creamy dishes, smoothies, dips, scrambles and deserts. 
• Flavoured - Such as smoked, Teriyaki, can be eaten straight from package, perfect to add to salads

Bust the biggest tofu myth

"Does soy give men boobs?", the short answer is No.  

The internet, social media etc haven't done tofu any favours, stating that it contains oestrogens, this may sound convincing however it contains plant compounds,  isoflavones which can interact with Oestrogen receptors in the body, but they are not the same as human oestrogen, and this is backed up and supported by clinical studies. 

Is Tofu healthier than meat and other meat replacements?

Due to minimal processing and being a whole food protein tofu can be part of a healthy balanced diet.  It contains protein, a range of nutrients and less saturated fats than many animal based foods and is far healthier when compared to some highly processed meat alternatives. 

So...if you don't like tofu....you may just not have found the right recipe yet, so don't give up on it.  

Trust me, Iv'e been there and you might just surprise yourself.

One of My Favourite tofu recipes is Quiche

• 1 carton silken tofu
• 1 tbsp corn flour
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 2 tbsp plant based milk 
• 1/2 tsp black salt
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• crunch or two of black pepper

1. Super easy, literally throw all the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth, excuse the smell, I promise this cooks out. 
2. Line a pasty dish with either shop bought or home made pastry
3. Pour into a pastry dish
4. Add your filling, my personal favourite is spinach and sun dried tomatoes. 
5. Top with grated cheese of your choice
6. Pop in a preheated oven at 180oC for 30-40 minutes until golden.  
7. Remove and allow to set for 10-15 minutes. 
8. Enjoy

Basic shortcrust Pasty:

• Plain flour 250g
• Plant based butter 125g
• 1-2 tbsp Water or milk

I love to add a handful of fresh herbs to blender