Is tofu just disgusting or did I not cook it right?

Question

I cooked it in a skillet with oil and fire roasted red peppers and some seasoning. It was awful. I now have to come up with a new dinner. Is tofu just an acquired taste or did I do it wrong?

BQ- How do you cook tofu? Easy recipes please :)

Answer 1

I would recommend marinating it long enough to absorb flavors. I have a hard time with Tofu because it's the texture of it that bothers me. I still try it here n there, trying to convince myself that I like but I really don't!

Answer 2

I love tofu recipes like Mapo Dofu, or Kung-pao Dofu. Tofu has a very mild flavor so you have to provide the spices. The key is that you should not overcook soft tofu (as in Mapo Dofu) or you should fry it in oil until golden brown (as in Kung-pao recipe).



I used to make it much more often but ever since I learned that tofu and other "fresh soy" products might not be good for you, I have only sparingly. I still use fermented soy products like soy sauce, miso and tempeh and natto (that is an acquired taste).



MaPo Tofu Recipe



PREP TIME : 5 Min.

COOK TIME : 15 Mins

READY IN : 1/2 Hrs



INGREDIENTS



Marinade:

1/4 pound ground or finely diced pork, chicken, or turkey

1 Tbs Kikkoman Teriyaki marinade or 1 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sherry, large pinch of sugar

1 tsp corn starch

12 oz Tofu (1 block, medium or soft, cubed into 1/2")

2 large cloves of garlic, crushed and chopped

2 tsp salted fermented blackbeans (dowsee, rinsed, mashed and finely chopped)

2 green onions, diced

2 Tbs of vegetable (canola or peanut) oil

1 Tbs oyster sauce

4 Tbs water

1 Tbs Sambal Oelek (red chili paste) or to taste

0-1/4 cup carrots, diced (Optional)

0-1/4 cup onion, diced (Optional)

0-1/4 cup bell pepper -- red or green, diced (Optional)

0-1/4 cup cellery, diced (Optional)



DIRECTIONS

1. Marinate the ground pork, with the Teriyaki sauce and corn starch. Let sit a few minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

2. Heat oil wok. If using diced carrots, when oil is hot, add these first. Stir for 30 seconds. Then add fermented blackbeans and garlic. Stir for a few seconds.

3. Add the marinated ground pork. Stir for a few minutes until cooked. If adding diced onions, bell peppers, and or cellery, add these after 1 minute. Stir until everything is cooked.

4. Add tofu, water, oyster sauce, sambal, and onions. Stir and heat through.

Answer 3

I always add it in with fried rice like another poster said. I don't really care for it, but the hubby likes it so I make it for him. I do think it's an aquired taste, I'm asian and don't like it..most asians do like tofu though. Google "how to cook tofu with asian spices" the top one is how my husband cooks it when he makes it.

Answer 4

I don't cook tofu but, my son eats it at his daycare because they cook for the kids there. He loves it! He will be saying "mommy tofu tofus now" lol I'm like hun I don't know how they make tofu.

Answer 5

I've heard of people marinating it for like hours so it really absorbs all the flavor. And then you have to cook it just right. I dont like it but if you are interested in it then practice a few times and with different recepies and look around online and maybe go to like an asian food store etc and ask them

Answer 6

The only way I have ever cooked tofu was to make fried rice and add it in with the veggies - it took on the flavor of the soy sauce.

Answer 7

My family always cook tofu by boiling it with some delicious soup!

Answer 8

im not sure how to cook tofu i have only bought it already made, but yes definatly an aqquired taste. good for you for trying though!!! it is very healthy, just not really yummy!!

Answer 9

It's pretty good...you can't eat it as a main course, you eat it as a side note, on top of salad or is some asian recipes.

Answer 10

I like it, and I'm sure I'm not the minority. Maybe you undercooked it. Find some recipes online, or consult an Asian friend if you have one.