 |
Yesterday, I had a hankering for some tofu.
Who gets a hankering for tofu?
Me of course!
If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you probably know that I’m far from normal. That’s a fact.
Tofu is one of those weird things that I get a craving for sometimes. When it has a crunchy exterior, but a soft and mushy interior, I just can’t pass it up. It’s so good.
Whenever I just mention the word tofu, people instantly express a strong hatred for it. I can guarantee that 95% of those people haven’t even tried it…
If you prepare it right, tofu can actually be really delicious. Once you find the right marinade and cooking preparation, it will be hard for you not to like it. Trust me!
Matt’s Simple Baked Tofu
Ingredients
- 1 block firm tofu
- 3 TBS organic tamari (or soy sauce)
- 3 TBS balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
- 1 TBS ground ginger
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 TBS olive oil
Directions
1. First, you want to press the tofu. I use my tofu press, but if you don’t have one, you can easily press the block with a large, heavy pan or a book. If you do, be sure to wrap the tofu in paper towels to soak up the water.
2. I used Nasoya extra firm tofu (I had a coupon), but I normally buy the Whole Foods Store brand because it’s organic and dirt cheap. Basically, it is the same thing for a dollar less.
3. I think the key to getting that crispy exterior is to make sure that all of the water is pressed out. I always press my tofu for AT LEAST 30 minutes, but usually around an hour if I have time.
4. Next, combine all of the marinade ingredients in a zip lock bag, You can use a bowl, but I like to use a zip lock bag so I can shake the bag to make sure the tofu is thoroughly coated.
5. Marinate for 30 minutes to an hour.
6. While the tofu is marinating, preheat the oven to 400*.
7. Slice or cube into desired size and shapes. I like to slice mine to make a tofu “steak.”
8. Layer the tofu in a single layer on a baking sheet.
9. Bake for 30-40 minutes, flipping half way through.
10. Serve hot and crispy.
Tofu sandwich with spinach, avocado, and tomato on whole wheat bread
Tofu… Love it or hate it?
|
{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
I really love tofu too. I think that you are right and that most people that hate it have never even tried it.
I think baking it gives it the best consistency. Well, that or frying it!
Lee recently posted..Weighing Myself
Definitely a tofu fan. I almost always have it plain or sauteed, and actually have never tried it baked. That marinade sounds amazing, and I can definitely see it being SO good cubed in a salad too. I may need a “certain book” to do my pressing though since I don’t have a tofu press…
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope recently posted..Welcome!
You better buy a tofu press so you can be cool like me.
I’ll stick with a book… old school is much cooler.
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope recently posted..Welcome!
I actually really love tofu, and baking is probably one of my favorite ways to prepare it… although I’ve been known to enjoy it straight up raw too
Silken tofu is also great in smoothies to thicken them up 
Amanda @ Running with Spoons recently posted.. satisfying the sweet tooth
PRAISE YOU for using balsamic in your recipe!!! I put it on EVERYTHING upon everything! Baked tofu is way better than any other form — thanks buddy!
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn recently posted..Do you like my dress Senior Ball Pictures!
Have you tried balsamic caramelized onions? OMG.
Used to not like it, but once I actually tried it, I was a big fan! I love the simple marinades.
Alaina recently posted..JP Morgan Corporate Challenge
Love! I developed a taste for it when I did the vegetarian thing!
Kendra recently posted..Short trip to P-town!
Eek — for now I hate it because the few times I’ve made it, it just wasn’t that ok. Ok I shouldn’t say “hate” but I don’t care for it. I know I need to just keep working on it and try different cooking methods, but I just haven’t gotten around to it!
Holly @ The Runny Egg recently posted..Friday Date Night
Love the stuff. I think it helps if people don’t think of it as a meat substitute but as a completely different and delicious food. I like it agedashi style – fried and swimming in a salty dashi broth with grated ginger, daikon, and scallions.
Alayna @ Thyme Bombe recently posted..Chocolate mascarpone stuffed strawberries
Baked tofu is my fav – I just the good crispiness it gets. I do it basically the same way, except I cut my black in half (hamburger-style) and press it for just 10 mins with a stack of (cook)books.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..WIAW Pride
I love tofu, BUT sometimes it gives me a belly ache so I don’t eat it very often! Anyway, your tofu looks delish.
Emily recently posted..NYC Weekend Recap
Thanks for this. I like tofu but only if it’s crispy on the outside and never knew you could get that texture this way. You’ve just added tofu to my regular diet. yay!! oh and now i need a tofu press, how cool is that.
I wouldn’t say I love or hate tofu. I’m more or less neutral. But this tutorial makes it look super easy to prepare.
dana @ my little celebration recently posted..Finding workout motivation
I’m indifferent to tofu. I like it, but it’s not that awesome when I make it myself. Maybe I need to press it more so that it looks more like yours. Thanks for the tofu tips!
I love tofu! This recipe looks great. Can’t wait to try it out!
Hate it :s
But I’m not willing to totally write it off just yet ; )
Lesley Lifting Life recently posted..Vegan banana chocolate chip muffins
I do love some tofu, but I haven’t had the patience to press it yet. It’s on my list of things to do!
Michelle recently posted..Don’t Leave Me Alone
Love it! I agree that most people who “hate tofu” have never tried it (or have had it plain/not properly prepared). Thanks for being so specific in your recipe – when I’ve tried to bake tofu in the past it hasn’t come out as well as I’d hoped, so I’m definitely giving this a try!
Corey @ the runner’s cookie recently posted..Things my Dad taught me
You’re right…. many people grunt at the notion of eating or cooking tofu. Tofus like a sponge and absorbs all the flavor your give it, so if you don’t know how to cook or marinade it, then you probably won’t like it. I hate when people are ignorant about trying one of my favorite foods
Poor tofu is put down much too much!
I’ll have to try your marinade method– looks delicious. I bet a few herbs here and there would really spice it up!
Emilia recently posted..Day In The Classroom
I must say I sometimes crave tofu too. Especially after I’ve not been eating healthy. Love it baked, egg salad style with curry powder, or popcorn chicken style. And one of my favorite restaurants makes “North Atlantic Tofu” which is cut into steaks, marinated, coated with a mixture of green seaweed flakes that look like chives and sesame seeds and pan fried.
Do you have a tofu egg salad recipe that you want to share with me?
tofu sandwiches are one of my favorite lunches!
Jen recently posted..Beating the Blahs
Ditto!
Baked tofu is one of my favorites, I crave it often too. Love your tofu press btw, I bought it after I asked you about it (in a previous post) & it’s fantastic!
Glad you liked it
That thing is a life saver.
love it!
I get tofu hankerins all the time!
Isn’t it weird? Haha.
I love tofu so much! I really want to try yours, it looks so good! I never properly press my tofu because I don’t have the foresight to do so but I should, because it looks like it’s worth it!
So you don’t press it at all? How does it turn out?
I usually just squeeze the excess water out with for like a minute or two but then just get to cooking it. It turns out like mush haha but I like it either way. Well, I love it when it’s pressed but I’m too hungry to wait for that!
LOVE it!! and I love that you used balsamic in your recipe!
I crave tofu too! Everyone thinks I’m crazy, but I actually LOVE it raw. When I’m cooking it, I end up eating half of it raw before it makes it to my plate!
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) recently posted..Eat Your Beer
Great idea adding balsamic!!
Lisa recently posted..Steppin’ and Salmon
I totally get tofu cravings too!
Amber Shea @Almost Vegan recently posted..Meals at Living Light 6
I love tofu! I also enjoy baking tofu, except my preference is to cut the tofu into thin strips and then to bake it until it’s super crispy. Where can I find a tofu press?
You can purchase it online. Check the link in my post!
Ah, I was too busy eyeballing your photos to notice that. Thanks!
No problem! Have fun pressing
Tofu is so good if it’s cooked right and has the right flavor.
Christy recently posted..Graduate
sometimes simple is the best. I like this one!
LC
I need a tofu press it looks so much easier than using towels and cans!
Who could pass up some nice and crispy Tofu (soft on the inside)? I love it every once and awhile, but with this recipe, I am sure I would eat it way more often! Bravo dude.
Ok I have never been a massive fan but yours looks really good! I have recently cut out meat from my diet so any tasty options are much needed and appreciated!
Thanks!
Hayley @ Oat Couture recently posted..A sneaky peak at my new shots! -
I love it, and I NEED that press!!!!
Cat @Breakfast to Bed recently posted..You Know Your Mom’s a Blogger When…
I’m so jealous of that tofu press! I asked for one for my birthday…I got a juicer instead so I can’t complain
Love your comment about how 95% of people who say they hate it have never tried it. So true!!!
i really hate tofu but don’t know how to cook it. I have not given up and am going to try this. Looks good! I’ll let you know how I like it. Tofu is so nutritious and for a vegan like myself I don’t want to give up on such a great source of easy protein.