Do you like a tofu? Do I need a tofu press? Tofu is a great alternative to meat and dairy products. But it is also a challenge to prepare and to do it more with ease, you need a tofu press. In this blog, we also have an article about best tofu press that you might want to read about it.
A tofu press is a kitchen contraption that removes the water from your tofu, resulting in a denser block with added texture.”
Cortne Bonilla, author from onegreenplanet.org
What is Tofu
Tofu is a soft, white, and highly nutritious food that is made from soybeans. Tofu is often made into different forms such as puddings, cakes, and savory dishes. It is also used in many traditional Asian cuisines. It is made by curdling soy milk with a coagulant and then pressing the curds into blocks. Tofu has high protein content, and it also contains calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin B12, biotin, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, and choline.
The most common way to eat tofu is as a substitute for meat or cheese. However, people can enjoy other ways of preparing tofu too. For example:
- Tofu pudding is one of my favorite dishes. To make this dish at home, you need a pressure cooker. This dish is easy, fast, and delicious.
- You can use tofu press to make tofu cake.
- You can keep tofu fresh by freezing it first, and then defrosting it when needed.
- There are many ways to cook tofu without using a tofu press.
“Tofu pressing is a very easy process that will help your tofu absorb flavor and hold its shape while cooking.”
Lauren Montelbano, personal chef and holistic nutritionist at The Vibrant Veg
Do I Need A Tofu Press
If you want to have more options to choose from for your tofu recipes, then you should consider getting a tofu press! Why buy a tofu press? There are various reasons why you may choose to get a tofu press. Here is what they are:
- Easy Preparation – Tofu needs to be pressed before cooking. So if you don’t have time to press it yourself, then you can go ahead to purchase a tofu press.
- Reduce Soybean Waste – If you are making lots of tofu and you don’t have enough space in your kitchen, a tofu press will help you because it allows you to store them easily after pressing.
- Save On Waste – Since tofu presses remove excess water and allow you to drain off the liquid, you won’t have to throw out so much tofu scraps after cutting it.
- Cook With Less Oil – Because tofu presses squeeze out all the moisture from their contents, they require less oil to be added during cooking.
- No More Sticky Surfaces – After you’ve pressed your tofu, it’s ready to cook right away. You no longer have to worry about sticky surfaces coming up.
- Easier Clean Up – When you’re done eating tofu, you only need to wipe down your tofu press instead of cleaning up your entire table.
- Protects Your Food Storage Area – Tofu presses come in handy when storing foods. They prevent mold growth and protect your stored food from absorbing odors.
Can You Use Other Foods?
You can use almost any kind of food as a base for tofu. Vegetables like carrots, celery, zucchini, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, beans, peas, and corn work well. Sometimes, tofu is combined with these vegetables. Some veggies such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, cucumber, eggplant, potato, pumpkin, and squash are not suitable for tofu.
How To Prepare Tofu Without A Tofu Press?
Now let’s take a look at some methods on how to make tofu without a tofu press. The following techniques include both dry and wet methods.
Wet Method
To prepare tofu without a tofu press, add 2 cups of nonfat plain yogurt to a blender along with 1 cup of warm water. Blend until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in 4 tablespoons of cornstarch.
Add 3 packages of firm tofu, and turn to coat evenly in the mixture. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Remove the tofu from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Cut into cubes, place in a shallow baking dish, cover with foil, and bake in a 350°F oven until barely tender but still holding together.
Dry Method
Prepare tofu according to your preferred method , and set aside. Place a clean tea towel between two plates. Press the tofu onto the towel with a heavy object, such as a cast-iron skillet. Let sit for 10 minutes, then flip over and repeat the process.
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