Fear of Tofu!!

Nothing wrong with experimenting and if you don't like it don't eat it and don't buy it again. It's like any food you haven't tried before.

I’ve been vegetarian for nearly 30 years. I hate tofu and have tried it in different guises because I thought I should but really... I shouldn’t. It’s horrible.

Oops! Overnight, not over!

I really like tofu. One of my favourite recipes is tofu and pasta Provençal. I marinate the tofu over with garlic, olive oil and basil. It’s delicious. You can also buy marinated tofu which I love in stir fries. The texture is very different to the usual tofu. Don’t be afraid of it, just keep trying different recipes.

EllanVannin

I won't even try these new-fangled items of food at this late stage in life. Plain, uninteresting but tasty is my motto

Actually, I also prefer plain meat-and-two-veg, even bland. (Although if tofu can be called anything, it's certainly bland!)

Anyway, it's definitely not new-fangled, it's been around for a good 2000 years. But that is probably what you meant with your smiley, so I'll take that comment with a pinch of salt ??

Yes Mrswoo you must try everything once. Twice if you like it!

Thank you all for your suggestions/ recipes. I particularly like the idea of vegansrock’s recipe for crispy sesame tofu. I’m afraid that the thought of “scrambled egg” tofu is a definite no from me.

I must confess to liking the suggestions that advise never eating the stuff - but - I’ve decided to look into some recipes and give it a go. I will try anything once and if I don’t like it I shall put it down to experience.

I dislike it but why fear it? If I am trying something new, I make sure that I have an alternative ready so if its awful I can just bin it and put it down to experience. Tofu falls into my "can eat to be polite" category but jackfruit is the pits!

I've seldom used tofu because I found that I'd have to use plenty of herbs and spices to make it interesting. The same could be said of Quorn which can be 'dressed up' to appear to be something it isn't. I managed to make it into a cottage pie, but it was too dry. Nothing I can't do better next time!

I won't even try these new-fangled items of food at this late stage in life. Plain, uninteresting but tasty is my motto

You can buy smoked tofu but you only put it in to heat up because tofu breaks up if overcooked. There are lots of products available in supermarket chillers or freezers. Mince tofu and tofu balls for stews chilli etc. Also you could use Paneer which is lovely in a curry dish. Try different products some you will like some you might not. If you buy a pack of tofu it’s best getting firm as the soft version is best for dips or desserts. If I haven’t got any tofu in I use lentils beans or chickpeas as a substitute.

I’ve only ever had it in some Japanese broth thing - made by a friend of my Singaporean SiL. I enjoyed it, but another SiL (Brit) told me she ‘couldn’t stand’ it. But then she doesn’t like rice or pasta either, so probably hardly typical.

I shall google some recipes and buy some next time I’m shopping - it’ll make a change. Luckily my dh never turns his nose up at anything!

It’s disgusting!

A colleague made a quiche using silken tofu and brought it to work. You couldn't really taste the difference.

Silken tofu is useful as a “scrambled egg” for a vegan breakfast - crumbled up and mixed with turmeric, pepper, spring onions or chives, lightly heated heated in pan, served on toast with mushrooms, tomatoes or mixed with vegan mayo into a sandwich. Or you can use it in sweet recipes such as carrot or “cheesecake”. i

Cauldron marinated tofu cubes are actually tasty and useful to use instead of chicken mixed into stirfrys or in a sauce one would usually put with chicken etc. That is the only way I use it , I don't bother with the plain stuff.

Not pan lo, Panko

GD cooked some for herself and her brother last night, dipped in egg and flour, then pan lo, added a packet of some spicy stuff , lightly fried in sesame oil and served with rice, she had a packet of some Japanese sauce that she drizzled over the top.
I threw the packets away so can’t tell you what they were.
All vegetarian. They love it.

There are different sorts, silken tofu comes in tetra packs and is slimy which I don't like. Firm tofu is fine and if frozen, changes its texture and becomes chewy which is nice.

Tofu doesn't taste of anything unless it's smoked. It therefore takes on the taste of whatever it's cooked with - soy sauce, garlic, herbs, chilli etc. It's high in protein and calcium, low in calories so very good for you.

It can be mashed or cubed or included in pies. Very versatile.

Love it especially as it is, add it to any food and eat it as it is instead of cheese! But I’m a strict veggie so my DH agrees with most on here!

Here's the recipe :

Chop green vegetables (mangetout, pak choi, cabbage, celery) into strips for cooking in the wok.

In hot oil in wok (or pan) fry cubes of tofu with grated fresh ginger and chopped garlic. Season with soy sauce, chili powder, curry powder and remove from pan.

Fry veg and add tofu back in towards the end of cooking time.

Serve with rice.

We don't eat very spicy food and this turned out perfect as I adjusted the seasonings to our taste.

I first tried it when I went on an alternative cookery course back in the 1980s. Hadn't eaten it for years because I didn't like it, but I tried a recipe the other day and it was a success. I'll see if I can find it.

Of course, the world won't stop turning if you never try it, but it does introduce a little variety into your repertoire.

I had it once. Never again!

Horrible stuff, can't bear it!

I’m afraid I don’t like it, I had a week in Japan on business some years ago, so was obliged to eat it in various guises, first time in my life I was pleased to pay McDonald’s money in Tokyo.