Learn to press tofu with and and not using a tofu press! These two simple strategies take simply half-hour. They will enable you to prepare dinner crispy tofu each time!
In case you’re a tofu lover, studying easy methods to press tofu is a whole sport changer. Right here’s the factor: regardless that tofu is perhaps labeled agency or extra-firm, it accommodates lots of water. This extra water may cause the tofu to crumble if you prepare dinner it, and it’ll even have a tough time crisping up.
However if you press tofu, you take away the surplus moisture. It takes on a chewier, firmer texture, which makes it tremendous satisfying to eat and fewer prone to crumble. Pressed tofu guzzles up taste from a sauce or marinade, and it will get SO a lot crispier within the air fryer or oven!
Under, I’m sharing two strategies for easy methods to press tofu—with a tofu press and with out one. Each are fast and simple, they usually’ll take your favourite tofu recipes to an entire new stage. In case you’re not already urgent tofu, now’s the time to start out!
Find out how to Press Tofu with a Tofu Press
One of the simplest ways to press tofu is with a tofu press. Right here’s why:
- These easy devices evenly apply strain to tofu. They gained’t crack or squish it!
- Many seize the surplus water that the tofu releases, so that you don’t find yourself with a sopping countertop.
- They’ll match within the fridge, so you’ll be able to press tofu hours upfront.
I examined the greatest tofu presses earlier this yr, and my #1 decide was the Tofuture tofu press, which is tremendous simple to make use of. I additionally highlighted a number of different forms of tofu presses which may swimsuit completely different cooks in my information, so test it out to search out the greatest press for you!
Each model is a little bit completely different, however right here’s easy methods to use the Tofuture press:
- First, place the block of tofu within the inexperienced drainage container. Nest it inside the massive white container, which is able to seize the water the tofu releases.
- Subsequent, place the inexperienced press on prime. Connect the rubber bands to the hooks on the perimeters of the white container. I like to start out on the primary or second hook and transfer the bands right down to the third hook partway by way of the urgent time.
- Flip the white hooks closed to start urgent the tofu. Go away it on the counter for a fast press, 20 to half-hour, or pop it within the fridge to press in a single day.
After urgent, lower the tofu into cubes or slices to bake or air fry, or observe the directions of no matter recipe you’re cooking!
Find out how to Press Tofu and not using a Tofu Press
Not able to spring for a press? That’s completely superb! There are a number of strategies for easy methods to press tofu and not using a tofu press.
My favourite is straightforward: you simply want a clear kitchen towel or paper towels and a cast-iron skillet.
- Wrap the tofu block within the kitchen towel, and place it on a flat floor. The towel will soak up a lot of the surplus liquid the tofu releases. To seize all of it, place the wrapped tofu on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Place the cast-iron skillet on prime of the wrapped tofu. In case you don’t have a skillet, you’ll be able to place a small reducing board on prime as a substitute. Then, place a distinct heavy object on the reducing board. A heavy guide or canned items work effectively.
After urgent, lower the tofu into cubes or slices to bake or air fry, or observe the directions of no matter recipe you’re cooking!
How lengthy ought to tofu be pressed?
For the perfect outcomes, I like to recommend urgent tofu for not less than half-hour earlier than cooking, although longer is nice if you happen to’re capable of plan forward.
In a pinch, even much less time could make a giant distinction. I pressed the left block of tofu within the photograph above for simply 20 minutes. An unpressed block of tofu is on the correct. You may see how a lot the tofu condensed in a short while!
When it’s OK to not press tofu?
- Press it everytime you need it to be agency or crispy… In stir-fries, grain bowls, sandwiches, and many others.
- Don’t press it if you need it to have a comfortable or clean texture… i.e., if you happen to’re pureeing it to make a vegan dessert or creamy dressing or crumbling it up for a tofu scramble.
rule of thumb is that you just’ll often press agency and extra-firm tofu however virtually by no means press comfortable or silken.
Favourite Tofu Recipes
Use your pressed tofu in any of those scrumptious tofu recipes:
Find out how to Press Tofu
Serves 4
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Wrap the block of tofu in a clear kitchen towel and place it on a flat floor. To seize the surplus liquid that the tofu releases, place it on a rimmed baking sheet.
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Place a cast-iron skillet* on prime of the wrapped tofu block.
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Press for half-hour earlier than utilizing in your favourite tofu recipes.
