The other white "meat" Tofu's not just for vegetarians anymore.
Let's face the facts. Most people don't like tofu. Even the thought of flavorless, white, spongy cubes can put a damper on most meat and potato lovers' appetites.
photo illustrations: Brent Carter
By Laura Kinch, Jayplay writer
Carnivores are perfectly fine chomping on a juicy burger, thank you. Why would they want to eat blocks of bland, white mush? "It's kind of an urban legend that's heard from one person to another that tofu is gross," said John Momberg, refrigeration and grocery manager at The Community Mercantile, 901 Iowa St. "They already have a preconceived notion in their head before they even try it."
Tofu, also known as soybean curd, is a soft, cheese-like food that is made by curdling fresh, hot soymilk with a coagulant. The curds then are generally pressed into a solid block.
Tofu is misunderstood because of its infamous lack of flavor. The truth is that the soy product has a cooked egg white texture that absorbs any flavor it's introduced to. This means tofu is a food chameleon that adapts to any recipe or marinade. It can replace sour cream in dips,
cream in thick soups, meat in stir-fry and, when blended with cocoa and sweetener, it can even replace chocolate cream pie filling.
There are three main types of tofu that are available in most grocery stores. Firm tofu is dense and solid and holds up well in stir-fry dishes or on the grill. Soft tofu is a good choice for soups and recipes that call for blended tofu. Silken tofu is a creamy, custard-like product that works well in pureed or blended dishes.
Momberg recommends that amateurs begin by trying firm tofu because the texture is similar to meat. The Community Mercantile sells 10 varieties including Thai flavored, baked, garlic and herb, organic and hickory smoked. The familiar texture and pre-flavoring makes it easier for people to incorporate tofu into their meals or recipes that they are accustomed to making.
So you're thinking about giving tofu a shot but are intimidated by cooking it for the first time at home. Nancy O'Conner, nutrition educationist at The Community Mercantile recommends trying tofu dishes at Zen Zero, 811 Massachusetts St., and La Parrilla, 814 Massachusetts St.
All of the dishes at Zen Zero are served with tofu unless otherwise stated. One of Zen Zero's popular vegetarian and tofu-based dishes is Thai Basil and Tofu with onions, bell peppers, carrots, Thai chili, garlic and scallions.
Both restaurants use Central Soy Tofu, which is made in Lawrence by Central Soyfoods, 710 E. 22nd St.
— Laura Kinch can be reached at lkinch@kansan.com.
Find tofu recipes and a shoppping guide on Jayplay @ Kansan.com.
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