Discover ways to press tofu with and and not using a tofu press! These two straightforward strategies take simply half-hour. They will enable you to cook dinner crispy tofu each time!
In case you’re a tofu lover, studying the best way to press tofu is a whole sport changer. Right here’s the factor: regardless that tofu could be labeled agency or extra-firm, it accommodates lots of water. This extra water may cause the tofu to crumble while you cook dinner it, and it’ll even have a tough time crisping up.
However while 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 disintegrate. Pressed tofu guzzles up taste from a sauce or marinade, and it will get SO a lot crispier within the air fryer or oven!
Beneath, I’m sharing two strategies for the best way to press tofu—with a tofu press and with out one. Each are fast and simple, and so they’ll take your favourite tofu recipes to a complete new stage. In case you’re not already urgent tofu, now’s the time to begin!
Easy methods to Press Tofu with a Tofu Press
One of the best ways to press tofu is with a tofu press. Right here’s why:
- These easy devices evenly apply stress 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 possibly can press tofu hours prematurely.
I examined the finest 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 kinds 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 a bit of totally different, however right here’s the best way 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 edges of the white container. I like to begin 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. 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, lower the tofu into cubes or slices to bake or air fry, or comply with the directions of no matter recipe you’re cooking!
Easy methods to Press Tofu and not using a Tofu Press
Not able to spring for a press? That’s completely positive! There are a number of strategies for the best way to press tofu and not using a 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 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 possibly can place a small chopping board on prime as a substitute. Then, place a special heavy object on the chopping board. A heavy e-book or canned items work nicely.
After urgent, lower the tofu into cubes or slices to bake or air fry, or comply with 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 not less than 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 an enormous 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 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 so forth.
- Don’t press it while you need it to have a comfortable or easy texture… i.e., should you’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 simply’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:
Easy methods 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.
