If you are bored with eating cottage cheese and meat and looking for a healthy substitute for them, then you need not worry. Tofu recipes are your answer and substitute for these ingredients. Soy milk is pressed into hard cubes, just like cheese and it was discovered in China.
Nigari is the most important ingredient of the tofu making process as it helps tofu to solidify and keep its form. Nigari is mineral-rich and has many health benefits. Tofu is full of nutrients and has many health benefits, too.
Tofu is low in calories and high in protein and fat, so you can add it in your bland diet plan to make it more delicious with amazingly delightful Tofu recipes. It also contains isoflavones which have so many health benefits. It is a whole soy food and that helps heart health, reducing the risk of heart-related diseases.
Now, you know the benefits of including tofu in your diet, now, let’s include tofu recipes in our menu, too!
What follows are some of the most delicious and terrific Tofu recipes you can make at home:
- Tofu Power Bowls
- Drunken Noodles with Tofu
- Asian Garlicky Tofu
- Mapo Tofu
Tofu Power Bowls
If you are looking for something that is a nourishing, tasty, and flavor-packed dish then you need to look no further than these power bowls. Adding the creamy peanut sauce takes this recipe on a whole different level. The dish is full of veggies and you’ll be getting a punch of healthiness through this one of the most delightful Tofu recipes.
Quick Stats:
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 serves
Ingredients:
For the creamy peanut sauce:
- ¼ cup of creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon of reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 teaspoons of dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of ground fresh chili paste
- 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger
For the rest of the dish:
- 1 cup of farro
- 16-ounce of extra firm tofu
- 2 ½ tablespoons of cornstarch
- 1 ½ teaspoon of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons of olive oil, divided
- 2 cups of shredded kale
- 1 ½ cups of shelled cooked edamame
- 2 carrots, peeled and grated
- ¾ cup of packed fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Method to Prepare:
- First, let’s make the creamy sauce: take a small bowl and add in peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, fresh chili paste, ginger, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of water and whisk together.
- Open the package of farro and cook it as per instruction; set it aside.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place tofu on a heavy skillet and cover it from both sides. It will absorb all the extra moisture.
- Take a large bowl and combine tofu, cornstarch, chili powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Don’t forget to add 1 tablespoon of olive oil while combining these ingredients.
- Spread the tofu mixture in a single layer on the baking sheet and put into the oven for 30 minutes.
- Bake it until it is golden brown with a crispy texture.
- Take a small bowl and add kale and drizzle the remaining olive oil and season it with salt and pepper as per your taste.
- Divide farro into bowls and top it up with tofu, kale, edamame, carrots, and cilantro.
- Pour the creamy peanut sauce and garnish it with lime.
- Serve it and enjoy the dish!
Start your day with this healthy and nourishing bowl. This tofu bowl is a great source of energy and the peanut sauce makes it one of the most delicious and must-try dishes. Colorful and healthy veggies and tangy peanut sauce make a dish for your breakfast.
Drunken Noodles with Tofu
One of the finest Thai dishes you will try, drunken noodles will make you go in awe of this one of the most mesmerizing Tofu recipes! Adding tofu will make this recipe full of protein. The sauce is one of the most compelling elements of this dish and you can make it no time.
Quick Stats:
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 serves
Ingredients:
For the sauce:
- 5 tablespoons of oyster sauce
- 4 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 6 tablespoons of sweet soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons of rice vinegar
- 4 teaspoons of fish sauce
For the rest of the dish:
- 14 ounces extra-firm tofu, cubed, pressed, and drained
- 10-ounces of flat, wide, rice noodles, cooked
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2 medium red bell pepper, sliced
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 or 4 bird’s eye chili, finely chopped
- A handful of fresh Thai basil leaves
Method to Prepare:
- Let’s prepare sauce: In a small bowl, combine oyster sauce, soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, rice vinegar, and fish sauce, stir well and set it aside.
- Bring a small pot of water to boil and cook the noodles as per the instructions give on the package.
- Now, get the wok out! Put it on high heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
- Once hot, throw in onion and bell pepper into the wok and cook them until tender, for about 4 to 6 minutes.
- Now, let’s give flavor to our noodles. Add garlic, birds’ eye chili, and basil into the wok.
- Reduce the heat as now it is time to add the prepared sauce into the wok.
- Add the sauce and stir well so it covers and drains the noodles.
- Toss to incorporate and then slide in tofu. Now, gently toss to incorporate everything evenly.
- Serve it warm and enjoy!
These drunken noodles dish one of the most flavor-infusing dishes. One spoon of these noodles is enough to realize the deliciousness of this dish. Adding tofu will give an extra dimension to the recipe and will make you crave for more!
Asian Garlicky Tofu
If you are looking for a dish that has salty, sweet, spicy, and tangy flavor in one plate then look no further then Asian tofu! one of the most adored Tofu recipes is full of garlic and tanginess; you can serve it with either broccoli or rice for a perfect and delicious vegetarian meal.
Quick Stats:
Prep time: 1 hour
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients:
- 4 package of super firm tofu
- 1 cup of hoisin sauce
- 8 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 4 teaspoons of sugar
- 4 teaspoons of ginger, freshly grated
- 8 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
- 4 tablespoons of olive oil
- 4 teaspoons of sesame oil
- Green onions, for garnishing
- Rice, for servings
Method to Prepare:
- Remove tofu from the packets and place them on the cast iron for 30 minutes. Don’t forget to cover with paper towels from both sides.
- Take a medium bowl and add in soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sugar, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
- Cut tofu into bite-sized pieces. Now, add them into the sauce bowl and toss well to coat them.
- Let it stay there and marinate them for around 30 minutes.
- Take a medium-sized cast iron pan and heat olive oil in it. Once the pan is hot, slide in tofu.
- Flip over when you feel they are nicely seared at the bottom. Cook until they are seared perfectly from both sides.
- Drizzle some sesame oil to add flavor and remove them from heat.
- Sprinkle green onions and serve it warm with rice and enjoy!
This veggie meal is quite delicious and you will love the different flavors! The spicy, tangy, and garlicky flavor will run wild in your mouth and you will be in awe of this tofu dish. Get your mouth ready to experience the blast of flavors.
Mapo Tofu
You have eaten this palatable recipe in Chinese restaurants as it is one of the most popular Tofu recipes in China and Sichuan. The best thing about this recipe is the spiciness. If you are someone who loves highly seasoned food with a pungent taste, then Mapo tofu is made for you!
Quick Stats:
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 serves
Ingredients:
- 16 oz. of soft tofu, cut into cubes
- ¼ lb. Of ground chicken
- ½ tablespoon of sesame oil
- 1 ½ tablespoon of doubanjiang, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon of chili oil
- 2 green scallions finely sliced
- 1 cup of water
- 1 tablespoon of low sodium soy sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon of ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 2 ½ tablespoons of water + 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon of Sichuan peppercorn powder
Method to Prepare:
- First of all, we need to make peppercorn powder.
- In order to make that, fry 1 smothering tablespoon of peppercorn in a small skillet with maybe about 1 teaspoon of oil.
- Toss them until you smell a peppery aroma. Pat it dry and let them cool before you grind them and make powder.
- Take a large pot, add water, and bring to a boil. Slide-in tofu and cook for about 1 minute. Drain tofu after cooking and set aside.
- In a large skillet, add ground chicken and sesame oil and cook until the chicken is cooked enough.
- Now, add doubanjiang, garlic, ginger, chili oil, and cook for about 1 minute.
- Pour a jarful of water and bring it to a boil and slide in the baked tofu. Stir in soy sauce and sugar and adjust seasoning if needed. Cook the sauce until it is reduced.
- Take a small bowl and add 2 ½ tablespoons of water and cornstarch and stir until you get the Oobleck.
- Add the slurry into the sauce and stir so no lumps are formed. Cook for another 30 seconds until the sauce is thickened enough.
- Let’s make our dish spicy! Turn off the heat and sprinkle peppercorn powder and scallions over the dish. If you want spicier food then drizzle some more chili oil.
- Serve it warm with rice and enjoy!
This is one of the tastiest Chinese dishes around the world! If you are a fan of spicy and piquant food then you are going to be in love with this dish. Are your taste buds ready to handle the spiciness of this dish? Make it and check it!
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Final Words
If you are looking to change your mouth’s taste and want to try something new other than meat then tofu is your choice! These Tofu recipes are some of the best and will give you the flavorful experience of the tofu. Easy-peasy and zestful; try these Tofu recipes at your and fill your dinner with amazing and succulent protein.
