Soy tofu: what is it and how is it eaten?

Soy tofu: what is it and how is it eaten?
Soy tofu: what is it and how is it eaten?
Anonim

Vegetarians and those who are interested in he althy eating are very familiar with the product called "tofu". What it is? This is cheese, or rather, cottage cheese, which is of exclusively vegetable origin and does not contain animal products. It is prepared from soybeans and is used to prepare a variety of dishes from s alty and spicy to sweet. What it is good for and why you should include it in your diet, you will learn from this article.

tofu what is it
tofu what is it

Useful properties of soy cheese

Tofu is quite popular in the cuisine of Asian countries, in China and Japan. Today it is used no less in Europe, referring to the usefulness and low calorie content of this product. Tofu can safely be ranked among the leaders in the content of easily digestible vegetable protein. In a serving (about 100-115 grams) of this cheese, 12 grams of protein is about the same as in an egg. But there is no harmfulcholesterol, which in the latter is about 350 mg. But that is not all. It can be said about tofu that this is one of the most useful foods for humans. It contains 8 essential amino acids, as well as vitamins and minerals necessary for the normal functioning and he alth of the body: calcium, magnesium, iron, selenium, folic and linoleic acids, choline, vitamins E and B. It is not surprising that the Japanese, in whose diet tofu are present in large quantities, are long-lived and look he althy, fit and full of energy until old age.

tofu it
tofu it

What does tofu taste and color?

This cheese looks very similar to feta - the same white and creamy consistency. What about taste? You can often hear about the neutrality of tofu. What does it mean? By itself, this soy product does not have a pronounced taste, but it is able to set off and convey the tastes of other ingredients. Therefore, it is used in sweet, spicy and savory dishes. Tofu can be fried, baked, cooked with it in soups and sauces, salads and pastas, vegetable side dishes, as well as delicate puddings and other desserts. However, first you need to choose the right type of this cheese. There are two in total.

Varieties of tofu cheese

Distinguish between cotton and silk tofu. What kind of varieties are these? They differ in the method of obtaining and, accordingly, the consistency. In the first case, the substrate is wrapped in cotton towels during the cooking process, which makes its texture dense and has a rough surface. In the second, part of the liquid is not removed, but remains in the soy mass, so it turns out moresmooth, delicate and soft. Cotton tofu is good for frying and cooking in which it is important to keep the shape of the cheese. Silk is more often used for desserts, fillings because of its creamy consistency and more delicate taste. Also in the supermarket you can find marinated tofu, which is sold in glass jars. In addition to the soy cheese itself, it contains vinegar, wine and red fermented rice. This product is good for cooking spaghetti, vegetables and legumes.

bean curd tofu
bean curd tofu

Spicy soup with tofu and spinach

Want to try something with tofu? It's very simple. For example, it makes a delicious and fragrant soup. Rinse and finely chop two bunches of spinach, divide 400 grams of tofu into small cubes. Prepare the vegetable broth in advance and boil it. Add a spoonful of soy sauce, tofu cheese and cook for 3 minutes. Then add spinach and cook for another minute. S alt and pepper before serving. This is such a simple but very interesting recipe. Bon appetit!

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