The Food52 Vegan Cookbook is here! With this book from Gena Hamshaw, anyone can learn how to eat more plants (and along the way, how to cook with and love cashew cheese, tofu, and nutritional yeast).
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16 Comments
AntoniaJames
January 22, 2018
I recently discovered Andrea Nguyen's tip, in her banh mi cookbook, to pour boiling water over tofu in a bowl, letting it sit for 15 minutes before using, to firm it up. I tried that last night, cooking the tofu cubes without even pressing them dry, in a non-stick skillet with just a touch of sesame oil, and over medium low heat, just leaving the cubes alone for a good long while. The edges crisped up beautifully. You could actually see the moisture from the cubes evaporating, due to the change in structure caused by the boiling water soak. You get a lovely custardy, flavorful interior. ;o)
AntoniaJames
April 9, 2015
For a different perspective - I don't press, ever. I bake my tofu on plain parchment in a hot oven, which gives it a slightly chewy exterior, and puffy, almost creamy interior - and makes it perfect for snacking, too! I use the baked tofu in stir fries, dishes with sauces, noodle soup recipes, etc. with much less mess, as there is no spattering whatsoever. For more information, see this (symbiotic tofu and bread baking, something I stumbled on in my quest for greater efficiency and more environmentally responsible kitchen practices): http://instagram.com/p/0_1P-QmBy8/
And these two threads in comments on tofu-based recipes: https://food52.com/recipes/11358-grilled-peanut-tofu#comments
https://food52.com/recipes/34075-peanut-sesame-soba-with-bacon-egg-and-tiny-greens#comments
So yes, I would agree that the tool is inessential, but not because you can Macgyver some other method - because pressing itself just isn't necessary.
;o)
And these two threads in comments on tofu-based recipes: https://food52.com/recipes/11358-grilled-peanut-tofu#comments
https://food52.com/recipes/34075-peanut-sesame-soba-with-bacon-egg-and-tiny-greens#comments
So yes, I would agree that the tool is inessential, but not because you can Macgyver some other method - because pressing itself just isn't necessary.
;o)
Mitra K.
April 9, 2015
Not only do I swear by this device, but my husband also hid my engagement ring in there and tried to propose. I thought it came with the tofu xpress so I threw the ring box aside and never gave it a second thought!
David L.
April 9, 2015
Thankfully one can buy pre-pressed tofu in supermarkets in Singapore. It is known as tau kee here.
Jackie P.
April 9, 2015
I thought you were going to say she broke the French press because she was using it to press the tofu; I mean, hey, that could work! Press it and then pour off the liquid? But yes, tofu press looks more suited. Wouldn't mind one of these. I currently, don't so much press, as wrap in paper towel and again in clean dish towels and just set in fridge x8 hours to drain. Couldn't this also be used to shape homemade tofu?
Lindsay-Jean H.
April 8, 2015
My Japanese pickle press works essentially the same way, and I never thought to use it on tofu -- one of my inessential tools is no longer a single-use tool! Thanks SJ!
Kathi A.
April 8, 2015
I've had my TofuXpress for a couple of years and use it all the time. Really, a simple, quick, easy way to drain tofu
Tashipluto
April 8, 2015
Hey, this is actually essential -- I have broken heavy jars full of beans, cracked tiles on my kitchen floor from heavy objects tumbling off the tofu, and worried about the chemical content of paper towels getting into my tofu. I totally need this!
aargersi
April 8, 2015
Want. NEED. I LOVE single use kitchen gadgets that would make Alton Brown go apoplectic! Hello spaetzle maker! How're shakes ebelskiver pan? Specialty cheese knife set! Wassup? Lookin' good weird twisted wire whisk like thing for mixing bread!!!
plus - Christmas for both sisters is now in the bag.
plus - Christmas for both sisters is now in the bag.
daveta C.
April 9, 2015
I have all the gadgets you mention. Don't know whether we should be a community or a 12-step group. LOL
Dustimily
May 11, 2015
If only I didn't live in a tiny apartment... I totally want an ebelskiver, and an egg separator, and those cute egg/mushroom slicers I always see at the store. I cant help the insane attraction to these perfectly devised tools but at the same time I hate clutter even more...
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