Organic Tofu: Tofu is underrated in the world of food and can be very flavoursome, it absorbs flavours making is highly versatile. There are different types of tofu that are optimal when used with different cooking methods just as different cuts of meat are best cooked certain ways.
Silken Tofu: has the most water left in and has a lovely soft texture, but is likely to break up if you try and fry it, it is great in soups.
Firm & Extra Firm Tofu: has more of the water pressed out to give a more solid, meaty texture. Its great marinated, in curries and fried.
Smoked Tofu: firm tofu that has been smoked like smoked cheese, or more commonly has had some liquid smoke flavouring added to it. I would try to avoid the smoke flavoured ones myself as it is an additive not naturally derived.
As with all things you need to find a brand of tofu you like as each manufacturer will make theirs differently.
It is important that when your are purchasing tofu you ensure that it is organic, never eat non organic tofu as it is GMO soy than has numerous negative effects on our health and has been highly sprayed with pesticides.
Also chances are that when you purchase products such as veggie burgers, veggie dogs, vegetable sausages & faux nuggets chances are they are made from GMO soy. You can make these yourself very cost effectively and easily using Seitan (click here), another great meat alternative you can make at home with organic products.
Although a great alternative to meat tofu is not something we should consume in large amounts, as it contains many things that in large amounts can be harmful to us thus everything in moderation. (Click here for more information). Thus Soy milk is not the best milk alternative for vegans and vegetarian's.
Tempeh: Soybeans that are cooked and fermented whole with a specific mould which breaks down the soybeans and forms a cake. To be honest I’m yet to experiment with tempeh.
*Tempeh coconut curry
Seitan: Easy to make at home is a dough made with vital wheat gluten, a high-protein wheat flour, and liquid. The dough can be rinsed or poached to become a chewy meat substitute that can be added to many different dishes, including curries, vegie sausages, veggie nuggets etc. It can be flavoured various different ways and can even be made to taste like chicken. (click here for a recipe)
Please be aware that Seitan is using 100% gluten derived from wheat thus if your don’t consume gluten this is not for you.
References:
http://thestonesoup.com/blog/2010/05/toe-food-the-beginners-guide-to-tofu/
http://www.organicauthority.com/health/what-are-the-safest-nongmo-soy-products.html
http://wellnessmama.com/3684/is-soy-healthy/
Silken Tofu: has the most water left in and has a lovely soft texture, but is likely to break up if you try and fry it, it is great in soups.
Firm & Extra Firm Tofu: has more of the water pressed out to give a more solid, meaty texture. Its great marinated, in curries and fried.
Smoked Tofu: firm tofu that has been smoked like smoked cheese, or more commonly has had some liquid smoke flavouring added to it. I would try to avoid the smoke flavoured ones myself as it is an additive not naturally derived.
As with all things you need to find a brand of tofu you like as each manufacturer will make theirs differently.
It is important that when your are purchasing tofu you ensure that it is organic, never eat non organic tofu as it is GMO soy than has numerous negative effects on our health and has been highly sprayed with pesticides.
Also chances are that when you purchase products such as veggie burgers, veggie dogs, vegetable sausages & faux nuggets chances are they are made from GMO soy. You can make these yourself very cost effectively and easily using Seitan (click here), another great meat alternative you can make at home with organic products.
Although a great alternative to meat tofu is not something we should consume in large amounts, as it contains many things that in large amounts can be harmful to us thus everything in moderation. (Click here for more information). Thus Soy milk is not the best milk alternative for vegans and vegetarian's.
Tempeh: Soybeans that are cooked and fermented whole with a specific mould which breaks down the soybeans and forms a cake. To be honest I’m yet to experiment with tempeh.
*Tempeh coconut curry
Seitan: Easy to make at home is a dough made with vital wheat gluten, a high-protein wheat flour, and liquid. The dough can be rinsed or poached to become a chewy meat substitute that can be added to many different dishes, including curries, vegie sausages, veggie nuggets etc. It can be flavoured various different ways and can even be made to taste like chicken. (click here for a recipe)
Please be aware that Seitan is using 100% gluten derived from wheat thus if your don’t consume gluten this is not for you.
References:
http://thestonesoup.com/blog/2010/05/toe-food-the-beginners-guide-to-tofu/
http://www.organicauthority.com/health/what-are-the-safest-nongmo-soy-products.html
http://wellnessmama.com/3684/is-soy-healthy/