Tofu Virgin No Longer

Posted: April 15, 2010 at 3:33 pm

Before last night, I was a tofu cooking virgin. I had eaten my share of tofu at Asian restaurants, in some of my vegetarian friend's dishes she brings to potlucks, etc. Then after ogling various tofu creations around blog world I just knew I had to take a shot at it. How hard could it be? Basically chop, marinate, cook, and eat, right? Yep. That's all it took to get a delicious, new meal creation on our table. Tofu and Broccoli Slaw Salad.

For the tofu, I used a marinade and cooking tips from Kristen at Iowa Girl Eats. Find her baked tofu recipe here. I'll give you a little picture recap of my tofu preparation and cooking, but for the details you have to check her out. Fair is fair right, and she deserves the credit. 😉

Open the Tofu

Press Tofu (in a bowl with paper towels & pressed with a plate + carton of broth)

Cube the 'Fu

Mix the Marinade

Let it Soak it All In

Bake to Perfection

Now for the Broccoli Slaw. I made this one on my own by adapting things I liked from 5 random recipes  I found online. Here is what I did this time, although I knew there will be changes next time. As good as it was, some things could be subbed to make it even better.

Ingredients for Asian Slaw

  • 1 bag broccoli slaw
  • 1.5 T olive oil
  • 1T sesame oil
  • 1.5T cider vinegar
  • 1T rice vinegar
  • 1 package Oriental Ramen (can't believe I am using this!)
  • 1/2 red onion, diced

Step by Step

  1. Whisk together the oils, vinegars, and the seasoning packet from the Ramen in a small bowl.
  2. Crunch the Ramen noodles in a ziploc bag. Which, btw, is so weird to be doing since I have actually never had Ramen. The dried block of noodles weirded me out.
  3. Toast the Ramen in a skillet until they brown slightly. Just about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Place the broccoli slaw, toasted Ramen, and diced onion in a bowl.
  5. Pour dressing mix over the top and toss to evenly coat. I like to use my Pyrex bowls with the lids to mix. Put the lid on and shake away to get it evenly coated.
  6. Set in the fridge to chill and allow the flavors to soak in. The longer the better. I had it set for about 4 hours.

    Chilling with Other Goodies

  7. Finally, serve it up in a dish with your hot from the oven tofu. Devour because it is so good.

This was so simple, so yummy, and so healthy with all of those nice to the heart good-fats. I do think I will try it without the Ramen next time and instead use some different veggies, either extra broccoli slaw or maybe some shredded cabbage. I don't think the Ramen really added any texture to it, which is why I figured it was in ALL of the recipes I looked through for ideas. And in my opinion, if it didn't really DO anything for the dish and doesn't add any health benefits then the recipe doesn't need it. However, I will still use the Oriental flavor packet from the Ramen because that does add the right taste. Plus, why not look like a college bachelor during check out? 😉 Maybe some slivered almonds would be great in here too. Or some water chestnuts or shredded carrots or baby corns? Okay, I will be making this again SOON with some variations. I welcome a new staple recipe to our house. Good news it was deemed "okay and at least edible" by Peter, and thoroughly enjoyed by my other food critic as well.

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15 Comments to “Tofu Virgin No Longer”
  1. Morgan says:

    That sounds really good! Tofu is a little bit intimidating at first, but once you realize how versatile it is, and easy to work with, you’ll find a million more ways to cook with it.
    I make a nutty coleslaw that might be good with the tofu…ramen noddle free! http://liveloveeatandplay.com/2009/09/20/my-famous-nutty-coleslaw/

  2. Heather says:

    wow, you really made tofu look good! i just can’t get past the texture, but i bet you could make it with lean chicken breast and it’d be OK that way too! i really love the slaw recipe 🙂

  3. homecookedem says:

    Hehe, love the pic of M!! 🙂 I buy that very same tofu, love it!! I love baking and frying it, but I tried something new last night. I made tofu salad. I got the idea from Yes I Want Cake’s blog. All you do is mash up the tofu and I mixed in a little mayo, mustard, s&p, and pickle relish and I LOVED it!! I’ll have to try out this recipe, looks great!!

  4. janetha says:

    tina! this is so funny. i bought that same exact tofu the other day so i could make a new recipe tonight! i have never cooked with tofu before so i am in the same boat. this post was just what i needed to see!

  5. lisaou11 says:

    looks tasty! seems like M likes lots of her heathy foods!

  6. Mellissa says:

    You do such a great job getting M to eat good foods, I think about my niece and nephew who wont eat anything but peanut butter and grape jelly on white and it has to be the chemical laden peanut butter!

  7. Wooohooo on the tofu love!!! So glad it turned out for you.

  8. cardiopizza says:

    I really need to try baked tofu!!!

  9. Yum!! I love baked tofu. You also have to try pan frying it!! Just marinate the tofu in whatever for a few hours then heat a skillet with a little EVOO and pop the tofu on, cooking each side for about 8 min. It is to die for.

    Also, if you have an asian market near you, you should buy tofu there because if it’s anything like my market, it’s soooo cheap!

  10. lessonstolearn says:

    That looks amazing! I haven’t made tofu for a while, but for no good reason. I love it! Of course, my husband won’t touch it with a ten foot pole, so I guess that deters me a bit.

  11. That sounds delicious! I love slaws, and baked tofu! The use of ramen is so original!

  12. I LOVE tofu! Never would’ve believed that I do, but I do. And how adorable is M?! She is every mother’s dream, right? Loving her healthy food!

  13. Krystal says:

    hmmm never had tofu before. maybe once by accident in some soup. scary stuff! i’ve had that slaw though and it’s great. you’re right about the ramen. not worth it, but the seasoning packet is good. i’ve always used chicken flavor. slivered almonds are good in it and so are sunflower seeds. i might make this with some cold cooked chicken breast cubes. sounds yummy. Oh! i bet mandarin oranges would be good in it, too.

  14. MmmmMmm I will have to try this!

  15. AHH – yay, you tried the ‘fu!!!!! Wasn’t it much easier (and much more delish) then you ever thought?!

    You go girl!

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