The Perfect Tofu

Tofu. Tofu. Tofu. If you’re not vegan, you might have made a weird face while reading that (if you even are reading this). So many people are “grossed out” or disgusted by tofu, but they don’t need to be! It’s not weird, gross, or hard to make, nor will it give you man boobs (seriously, some people think that!).

Tofu is awesome because it’s nearly tasteless, making it a super versatile source of protein. You can slice it into thick “steaks” as a main course, slice it thin for sandwiches, cube it for soups and noodle bowls, or crumble it up for tofu scramble (recipe here). You can literally add any sauce or marinade to satisfy your craving! I’ve even cooked it in coconut oil and seasoned it with cinnamon and sugar for a sweet breakfast treat! The possibilities are endless!

I tend to make most of my tofu like the kind in this recipe, because it’s super easy and goes well with most any side dish (rice, quinoa, noodles, soup, or in a wrap). So, let’s dive into this and make you fall in love with tofu!

INGREDIENTS:

*1 block extra firm tofu (get organic/non GMO if you can!)

*1/2 tbs olive oil

*1 Tbs nutritional yeast

*1/4 tsp turmeric

*1/4 tsp garlic powder

*1/4 tsp onion powder

*1/2 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut your tofu package open and drain out the water. Now you need to “press” it to get the extra water out, you can do this a couple different ways:

   1. Get a tofu press—-like this one on amazon

   2. MacGyver it! Put your block of tofu in the frying pan you’re going to use to cook it. Place a cast iron pan on top of the tofu, then something else heavy on top of that (I use my kitchen utensil holder). Let that sit on the counter (not on heat yet!), for about 20 minutes. Remove the heavy items on top, dump the water out of the pan, and put tofu on a cutting board.

2. Slice your tofu into medium sized cubes and return to pan.

3. Add olive oil and spices to the tofu, toss around to evenly distribute.

4. Cook on medium-high heat, stirring every couple of minutes.

5. Cooking time will vary due to your taste preference. Some people like it a little crispier on the outside, so they cook longer. Some people like it just warmed up. It’s up to you. Go ahead and taste pieces as you go to decide what you like (but it should take anywhere from 10-20 minutes)

6. Remove from heat when done and serve! You can eat it by itself or as part of a meal.

Below is a gallery of ways I’ve used this tofu recipe, so feel free to add it to your dish or just eat all by it’s delicious self! Stop being weirded out by tofu, and go try it!

Keep cooking, friends!

-Kristin