Tofu is something of a pantry staple in our kitchen. We love how versatile it is, lending itself just as easily to a marinade as to a stir-fry or even baked dish. Not only is it easy to cook with, it’s also a blank canvas for highlighting the flavours of the sauce it is cooked in. Which essentially means we could eat tofu each day of the week – experimenting with a different preparation each time – and never tire of it. Seriously. Don’t believe me? Gathered here are the best tofu recipes to prove it.
These recipes are as eclectic as they are creative. Choose between traditional preparations specific to a particular Asian cuisine, such as with Sichuan-style Mapo Tofu and Korean-style braised tofu. Or try something completely new and creative borne from my culinary tinkering in the kitchen: hello cold chilli oil tofu!
These intensely-rich and fragrant recipes do have one thing in common: they are veritable truth that tofu is anything but boring!
Tips For Prepping Your Tofu
If your recipe calls for silken-firm tofu:
- Wrap the block of silken-firm tofu between kitchen towels (placing a small saucepan on top). Let it sit for 30 minutes or so. This extra step helps to drain out the excess water.
- Pat the tofu dry with clean kitchen towels before slicing it.
- Lightly coat the tofu pieces with corn flour before pan-frying the tofu, for an extra crispy texture
If your recipe calls for soft silken tofu:
- There is no need to press the tofu, however do gently wrap it with kitchen towels to release the excess water.
- Whilst it is safe to use this type of tofu without cooking it (for recipes calling for cold no-cook preparations), if you prefer you can steam the tofu beforehand (for 5-6 minutes) or microwave it for 30 seconds.
Best Soft Tofu Recipes
Best Korean-Inspired Tofu Recipes
Other Asian Tofu Preparations
Contemporary Tofu Recipes
We’d love to hear from you! Do let us know if you try any of these recipes – leave a comment below; and tag us in your delicious creations on Instagram @the_foodiediaries.