Two tofu recipes to enjoy this summer

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At a loss about how to make tofu tasty? Ms Fang shares some simple and tasty recipes for you to try at home!

Chiller cabinet with packs of tofu
Tofu in an Asian Supermarket- the choice can be a bit overwhelming!

Tofu (also豆腐 dou fu in Chinese) has been a popular cooking component in East and South Asia for centuries. There are many varieties of tofu and over a hundred ways of cooking them. When tofu has been introduced in the West, it has been referred as “cheese” from China, by Benjamin Franklin.  

 

This reminds me when I saw cheese at the first time, I thought it was tofu. However, the texture of tofu is nothing like cheese, but they have something in common- high protein.  

 

Spot the difference- firm and soft tofu has very different uses.

Nowadays tofu is well-known as protein vegan alternative with low calories. Tofu’s subtle flavour, and its ability to absorb flavour makes it perfect ingredient for cooking, either savoury or sweet. You can find at least two types of tofu nearly all supermarkets in the UK: silken or firm. Normally firm tofu can be chopped in chunks or slices to be pan-fried, roasted, while the soft tofu can be made into soups, cold dishes, or dessert. 

 

 Here are some easy recipes for you to try at home:   

A Cold dish with silken tofu: 凉拌豆腐tofu in soy sauce  

This is the simplest tofu dishes ever. All you need are: a block silken tofu, 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 spring onion  

  • Boil the soft/silken tofu in hot water, or steam it for 4-5 minutes  
  • Drain the water and leave it to be cold 
  • Add 1 tbsp soy source, a little black pepper and ½ tbsp of sesame oil 
  • Roughly chop a spring onion and spread them on the tofu  
  • (optional): add chilli oil 

A Hot dish with firm tofu – 家常豆腐 jiācháng dòufu  home cooking tofu  

This is a hot main dish, perfect with rice. you will need: 1 block firm tofu, 1 tbsp vegetable oil, 2 tbsp soy sauce, one clove garlic, 2 spring onions 

  • Chop the tofu into slices  
  • Heat up 1 tbsp vegetable oil in the pan  
  • Grill the tofu on both sides 
  • Roughly chop the garlic and spring onions and add into the pan (also bird chili if you like spicy) 
  • (optional) if you like spicy food like me, you can add a tbsp of Sichuan Pixian Chilli Bean Paste 
  • Add 1 tbsp soy sauce and a pinch of salt in the pan