Discover ways to press tofu with and with no tofu press! These two straightforward strategies take simply half-hour. They’re going to allow you to prepare dinner crispy tofu each time!
If you happen to’re a tofu lover, studying how one can press tofu is an entire sport changer. Right here’s the factor: although tofu is perhaps labeled agency or extra-firm, it incorporates plenty of water. This extra water could 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 more likely to collapse. 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 how one can press tofu—with a tofu press and with out one. Each are fast and straightforward, and so they’ll take your favourite tofu recipes to an entire new stage. If you happen to’re not already urgent tofu, now’s the time to start out!
How one can Press Tofu with a Tofu Press
The easiest way to press tofu is with a tofu press. Right here’s why:
- These easy devices evenly apply stress to tofu. They received’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 will match within the fridge, so you possibly can press tofu hours prematurely.
I examined the greatest tofu presses earlier this yr, and my #1 decide was the Tofuture tofu press, which is tremendous straightforward to make use of. I additionally highlighted just a few different varieties of tofu presses that may swimsuit totally different cooks in my information, so test it out to search out the very best press for you!
Each model is just a little totally different, however right here’s how one can use the Tofuture press:
- First, place the block of tofu within the inexperienced drainage container. Nest it inside the big 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 all the way down to the third hook partway by the urgent time.
- Flip the white hooks closed to start urgent the tofu. Depart 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, reduce the tofu into cubes or slices to bake or air fry, or observe the directions of no matter recipe you’re cooking!
How one can Press Tofu with no Tofu Press
Not able to spring for a press? That’s completely positive! There are a number of strategies for how one can press tofu with no tofu press.
My favourite is easy: 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 take in 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. If you happen to don’t have a skillet, you possibly can place a small reducing board on prime as a substitute. Then, place a distinct heavy object on the reducing board. A heavy e-book or canned items work effectively.
After urgent, reduce 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 very best outcomes, I like to recommend urgent tofu for at the very least half-hour earlier than cooking, although longer is nice should you’re in a position to 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 proper. You’ll be able to 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 so forth.
- Don’t press it if you need it to have a tender or clean texture… i.e., should you’re pureeing it to make a vegan dessert or creamy dressing or crumbling it up for a tofu scramble.
An excellent rule of thumb is that you just’ll often press agency and extra-firm tofu however virtually by no means press tender or silken.
Favourite Tofu Recipes
Use your pressed tofu in any of those scrumptious tofu recipes:
How one can 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.
