Firm tofu can be pressed to remove excess moisture and prepare it for easier cooking. Learn how to press tofu step-by-step and some inspiring ideas to use it.
Tofu is made from soybeans and is a good source of plant-based protein. It can be cooked in a variety of different ways including frying, grilling, and baking. There are multiple health benefits of tofu including its low-fat content and it is packed full of vitamins such as iron, vitamin E, and magnesium.
Tofu can be quite watery and some recipes may need it to be pressed to remove some of this moisture. This helps deliver a more desirable final result after cooking and to avoid the tofu from breaking up easily. Pressing tofu improves the texture, making it more robust for frying or baking, it can also help the tofu absorb the flavor more easily, this is useful when marinating or seasoning tofu.
If you’re unsure whether the tofu you have requires pressing, simply use a clean dish towel and dab the surface of the tofu with it, if the towel remains dry, the tofu does not need pressing. Silken tofu does not need pressing as it is supposed to be soft and is used differently to firm tofu.
Let’s get going and find out how to press tofu.
How to Press Tofu for Easier Cooking
Pressing tofu is easy and works best when it is still in one solid block, do not chop or slice the tofu until after it has been pressed. Simply follow these step-by-step instructions to press tofu:
- Take the block of tofu and wrap it in a clean dish towel and place it on a plate.
- Place a heavy item on the top of the block, such as a frying pan with a heavy book inside, and leave for 30 minutes. This will remove excess water and reduce the size of the tofu block to about two-thirds of its original size.
- Press tofu up to a day before you intend to use it and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Using Pressed Tofu
Tofu is so versatile and can be cooked in a variety of ways, after pressing it can be cut into blocks and seasoned in a variety of ways. For something with a bit of texture, try crispy pan-fried tofu, or popcorn tofu – for a healthier option learn how to air-fry tofu perfectly every time.
Tofu can be used as a meat substitute in vegan ground beef for plant-based tacos or even as a seasonal favorite in vegan turkey. Finally, tofu makes a great egg replacement, so why not try making tofu scrambled eggs for breakfast?
Read more:
- 8 Easy and Delicious Sources of Calcium For Vegans
- Vegan Gado-Gado Recipe
- Easy and Delicious Vegan Curry Recipe
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