For many, tofu doesn't conjure up images of delicious meals and tasty snacks. The spongy, bland-flavored meat substitute doesn't have many redeeming qualities for those who don't live a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle but sadly, its reputation is outdated and far from accurate. In reality, tofu has many health benefits and works well as a great meat substitute, especially when marinated, modified, or used cooked rather than raw. The soya-based ingredient has been a staple in China and has since found a home among many Asian countries, with some form of tofu being disguised so well as protein that many wouldn't even realize they were eating it.

Today, tofu comes in many forms and is so versatile that entire dishes have been created around it. It's not uncommon to find on the menus of many American restaurants as well, with many taking to the meat substitute and appreciating it for its health benefits. Combined with a delicious sauce and/or seasonings, tasty veggies, and rice or noodles, tofu can sing in any dish once it's been transformed from the square blob we know from the supermarket. A common question for many is how did this unusual ingredient come to be and how could something so flimsy possibly be good for us? Luckily, we have the answers.

It Was Created By Accident... Weird Science?

Rumor has it that the creation of tofu was done entirely by accident by a cook in China, who made the mistake of curdling soy milk. This chemical reaction turned out to be one of the greatest mistakes made in the history of culinary arts, as it gave us what we know today as tofu. This 'mistake' is said to have happened roughly 2,000 years ago and during the 8th century, tofu was finally incorporated into Chinese cuisine, where it was originally called 'Okabe.' However, tofu wasn't widely-known or recognized until 1400, and it didn't go global until centuries later during the 1960s.

The creation of tofu is now made by curdling fresh soya milk and pressing it, which is where we get the 'solid' block shape that we know today. The process is similar to cheesemaking, however, it is a bit more delicate as the only thing involved is curd since the whey is discarded after curdling. This texture lends itself to many methods of cooking and tofu can be left alone to its naturally silky consistency, or it can be cooked to the perfect level of crispness.

Health Benefits And Other Means Of Cooking

Tofu makes for an excellent protein substitute due to its high amino acid levels. This also means it's great for helping to lower cholesterol, but those who are prone to kidney stones should monitor their tofu intake since it is high in oxalate. Tofu also contains magnesium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, copper, zinc, and vitamin B1, all of which are helpful for a well-rounded diet. Even for those who don't follow a strictly vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, it's a great way to switch things up and go meatless once in a while. So how can tofu be used to create a delicious dish?

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For starters, there are several different types of tofu. Silken tofu is the softest and can be used in things such as puddings, smoothies, and even dips. Soft tofu is over medium firmness and can be used in soup and casseroles, and firm tofu is often used in stir fry and for grilling since it stays together well and won't break into pieces.

With that being said, tofu is often used as the star of the dish in Chinese cooking, such as with Kung Pao Tofu. Extra-firm tofu is usually used in this dish and is coated in a layer of sticky, boldly-flavored Kung Pao sauce, but not before the tofu itself is diced, marinated, and then cooked in a wok along with all the other delicious veggies.

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In a similar sense, General Tso's Tofu - made just like General Tso's chicken - is another popular go-to when it comes to tofu dishes. Tofu shines just as well as diced chicken when used in this recipe if not more so, due to the unique texture tofu brings with it as well as the ability to soak up that slightly spicy, tasty sauce.

When in doubt, stir fry is by far one of the most popular options for tofu. For an extra hit of texture, deep-frying tofu before using in a stir fry will add a level of crunch and crisp that's out of this world. Add your favorite veggies, stir fry sauce, and serve over noodles or rice, and dinner (or lunch) is served.

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