Pressing tofu is a simple and hands-off way to remove excess water from your tofu. This helps it retain its firm texture while cooking, like frying or baking.
Nguyen says it’s a great kitchen hack and can be done with items you have around the house. She recommends a folded lint-free towel and a plate or baking sheet to press the tofu on.
Wrapping
A high-protein, satisfying meal that comes together in less than 30 minutes. These vegan lettuce wraps are filled with a quick hummus sauce, shredded veggies, and crunchy baked tofu nuggets. They are a great grab-and-go option for lunch or dinner!
Tofu can be pressed, sliced, or grated to create a crisp, savory breading. If you want a crispy coating without the extra oil, try air-frying your tofu. You can also use a nonstick skillet and stir-fry your tofu cubes for extra flavor.
Once your tofu has cooled, you can place it in a colander and rinse it. Then, wrap it in a few layers of paper towels to remove excess water. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes before shredding.
You can also buy pre-shredded tofu at the store and save some time. You can even omit this step entirely, if you prefer!
The next step is to make a quick slaw with fresh cilantro, romaine lettuce, cucumber, and red onion. You can also add a handful of seeds or nuts if you’d like.
Finally, you can wrap it all up in a tortilla. You can either use a gluten-free flour tortilla or a regular one, depending on your preference.
If you choose to wrap your tofu, be sure to warm it before rolling. This helps the wrap hold its shape and become easier to roll. You can also gently heat it in the microwave for a few seconds.
When you’re ready to assemble the wraps, simply place a tortilla on a flat surface and put some of the tofu mixture in the middle. Fold the top half over to meet the bottom, then tightly roll the tortillas to form a tight wrap.
Weighting
If you plan to make a meal that contains tofu, it is important to know how much tofu weighs so that you can use the proper amount in your recipe. To do this, you will need to weight it before cooking.
The process of weighting tofu is a simple one. Simply place a flat surface such as a plate, baking sheet, or cutting board on top of the tofu block and put a weighted object on top of it.
This weight will help to remove the water from the tofu block and prevent it from becoming mushy. It also helps to keep the tofu pressed and evenly cooked. It is important to remember that the weighted object should not be too heavy or it may crush the tofu and prevent it from being sliced into blocks or slices.
Once the weight has been applied, leave the tofu for 30 minutes to an hour. After that time, you should be able to remove the weight and cut your tofu into strips or cubes.
It is also important to note that the weight of your tofu can vary significantly based on its consistency. Extra firm tofu, for example, will lose less of its volume than firm tofu while cooking.
Tofu is a popular food and is often used as a part of a vegetarian diet. It is high in protein and has a variety of other nutrients.
For this reason, it can be a great addition to a healthy diet. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce the risk of several diseases, including cancer and heart disease.
In addition, a diet that includes tofu is low in saturated fat and cholesterol. It is also high in fiber, which slows the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar in the body and keeps you fuller for longer.
Pressing
Pressing tofu helps get rid of the excess liquid that it’s packaged with, which makes it much more flavorful and easier to use in recipes. In addition, pressed tofu has a firmer texture and is less likely to turn into mush during cooking.
Pressed tofu is perfect for grilled, baked or stir-fried dishes where you want the slices, cubes or crumbles of tofu to hold their shape without falling apart. It can also be used to thicken soups, marinades and sauces for a healthier option.
To begin, you’ll need a block of extra or firm tofu. If you’re using silken tofu, which is often sold in a tub, you can usually skip the pressing step since it’s already soft and won’t need to be pressed at all.
Wrap the tofu in a paper towel or a dish cloth and set it on a cutting board. Then place a quarter sheet pan on top and add some weight, like a heavy cast iron skillet or some cans.
Once you’ve done that, you can let it sit for a while to allow the water to drain out. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, but it’s worth the time and effort for the results you’ll get.
Some tofu manufacturers offer press kits that you can purchase, but Nguyen says you can get the same results just as easily with a few simple items in your kitchen. She recommends a plate or baking sheet, some dish towels, salt and a few heavy objects to weigh the tofu down, such as books, cans of food or a heavy frying pan.
Then, simply place the wrapped tofu on top of the weighted items and leave it to sit for a few minutes. Repeat this process until most of the water is pressed out.
Draining
Tofu has a high water content that can cause it to absorb liquids and become soggy. Draining the tofu before cooking will keep it drier and improve its texture and taste, whether you are making a burger, salad, soup, or a marinade.
To drain tofu, remove it from the packaging and place it between a couple of paper towels. Place a second plate on top of the tofu and add a weight (this could be a cast iron skillet, cans of food or several books).
Then, press down on the tofu between the plates. You may have to do this multiple times until the tofu is fully drained.
Once drained, pat the tofu dry and use it immediately or store it for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. It will last longer this way, as it won’t soak up any excess moisture when it comes into contact with moisture from the air.
When draining silken tofu, use a dish towel or two to soak up any excess water that may accumulate in the pan. This will help the tofu cook evenly and retain its shape.
Another option is to place the drained tofu in a container with some salt and pour hot water over it, stirring the tofu until it has soaked up any remaining water. This method can be time consuming, but it is effective and easy to do!
A final alternative is to microwave the tofu. The heat from the microwave will help to draw out any moisture from the tofu and make it drier.
If you’re in a hurry, microwave the tofu for two minutes until it is drier. This is one of the fastest methods for removing excess water from tofu and is a great choice if you need to prepare some tofu quickly.
You can also use a tofu press to remove the excess water from tofu. This is one of the most popular and effective ways to remove excess water from tofu. There are several different presses available, but I like the TofuBud, which is designed to be very efficient at removing excess water from tofu.