RAW SMELL OF TOFU

[baskaran.ramamurthy]

How do we get rid of the raw smell of TOFU after cooking. We have tried washing several times .Will marination help

[pr]

I used to cut tofu into cubes , take 1 or 2 tsp of oil in a kadai and fry them in slow fire till the sides r lightly browned .Pls c if it works .
Thanks
pr

[baskaran.ramamurthy]

Thanks for the prompt response .will try and revert back

[pr]

Forgot to mention .. U will get best results when u use a non stick pan .. Dont disturb the tofu cubes until its slightly brown and then turn them so that the other side will get cooked .

[baskaran.ramamurthy]

Thanks for your responses. Will revert back after trying

[baskaran.ramamurthy]

We have tried making vegetable curries using Tofu as you advised by you but with some minor improvisation.We washed Tofu with three four changes of water and marinated with spices and in the usual way and then sauted to golden brown on all sides while frying onions. The results were good
Thanks for your suggestions
Baskaran

[RedPepper]

I have finally decided to add tofu to our diet (it is too late I know). I bought a pack of organic 'firm' tofu yesterday.

Questions:

1) They had soft, firm, extra firm packs. Which is good for Indian cooking? I would imagine it is 'extra firm' since it would be easy to cut into cubes?

2) Once I open the pack, how do I store the leftovers? The pack says to keep in water. Should I use the same box with a plastic wrapping, or should I transfer to another container and add water? How long can I keep it in the refrigerator?

3) I would appreciate if you share your favorite tofu recipes, and the ideas for using tofu in everyday cooking.

4) Can I give tofu to a 8 months old baby? If yes, how? should I cook and mash it with other vegetables?

5) Can we eat it raw, or add the cubed tofu to salads without cooking?

I think thats it for now. Thanks in advance.

baskaran.ramamurthy, sorry for hijacking your thread. I hope you won't mind...

[a_gopinathan]

RP,

i buy extra firm tofu. firm should also be fine. when i eat in thai restaurants, i aways ask for tofu based dishes. those tofu are not very hard, so i am assuming that they are using firm tofu.
i store it in another container with water after i take it from the original packaging. i havent tried keeping it for long time, try to use it in one or two days. i guess u can substitute tofu in any paneer dishes. i have made mutter tofu and also made with mushrooms.

once i tried giving tofu to my son when he was one year, he didnt like the taste , so after that i have never tried. not sure whether u can give for a 8 month old baby. also not sure abt eating raw.

Anju

[baskaran.ramamurthy]

Red Pepper,
Visited your blog. It would be a good idea to include the recipes also with the pictures
Baskaran

[baskaran.ramamurthy]

Red Pepper
Please find below our recipe using tofu. Will post one more later
TOFU KOFTA
Ingredients
For Koftas
250 gms tofu(Medium hard)
2 tsp wheat flour
2 tsp maida flour
2 tsp Chilli powder
2 nos Green chillies
Salt to taste
coriander leaves(finely chopped)
pinch of asafoetida
2 tbl spoon oil
For Gravy:
2 nos onion medium size chopped
5 to 6 pods Garlic(finely chopped)
2 inches fresh ginger(finely chopped)
1 cup tomato paste
2 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp jeera powder
1 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp mustard seeds
Handful coriander, finely chopped
3 tbl spn oil (from frying)

Method

For Koftas:
Wash the tofu in two or three changes water and grate .
cook the grated tofu in water with salt and pinch of asafoetida for ten minutes
Cool the cooked tofu and squeeze out water from it completely.
Store the cooked and squeezed water in a bowl separately.
To the cooked tofu add chopped green chillies, chopped coriander leaves,
red chilli powder ,and mix well.
Heat two table spoons of oil on a nonstick pan and lightly fry the tofu mix
Now add besan to bind and make round or oval balls.
Make a semi-liquid paste out of maida flour and dip the koftas.
Then deep fry these koftas to golden brown under medium heat .

For Gravy:
Heat 3-4 tablespoons of ghee in a heavy bottom vessel.
Add the mustard seed let it splutter then add onions green
chillies garlic and ginger and fry until lightly crisped.
Now add tomatoes, salt and turmeric powder, red chilli, jeera, coriander powders
and mix well. Cover the vessel.
Keep stirring at intervals and check if the gravy is even and well blended.
You can add the extracted water from grated tofu now andlet the gravy boil.
Sprinkle garam masala. Add the koftas.
Garnish with coriander leaves .