With the cost of eggs soaring to the ridiculous, many families are looking for other means of getting the protein, magnesium and other vitamins and minerals they need for healthy living.
It might be the time to try Tofu, even if you’ve never tried it before or have tried it and find it too bland and tasteless.
Tofu is actually soy milk, processed a bit like cheese so the curds left in the process can be made into blocks. Nigari, which is a solidifier left over after the salt is extracted from salt water, is used in forming the blocks, and is full of minerals that make Tofu even more recognized for healthy eating. Best kind to purchase at the food market is the firm or extra firm tofu.
It’s been around for more than 2,000 years, first used by the Chinese and still popular in many of their recipes. It’s also a must-have among vegetarians potassium calcium and magnesium and has very little or no cholesterol.
Granted, it is neutral in flavor and rather soft in cooking, so it does not have much taste. But because it is so soft and does not have a flavor of its own, it picks up the flavors of the vegetables and herbs it is cooked with.
Tofu can be baked, fried, crumbled, marinated, grilled, or eaten taw. When it’s pan fried, mixed with corn starch, its comes out golden, crusty, and great for topping salads. It’s terrific in the air fryer for the same reasons, 10 minutes to cook, crispy and crunchy on the outside.
TOFU IN THE AIR FRYER
Ingredients
1 lb. block extra firm tofu,
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon light soy sauce,
½ teaspoon sesame oil,
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
Press weight on top of tofu for half hour or so, then cut tofu into 1 inch cubes
Heat air fryer to 400 degrees.
In a medium size bowl place the cubed tofu and soy sauce and toss to coat. Add all the other seasoning ingredients and oil and toss to combine.
Place cubes in air fryer, leaving space between pieces. Cook for ten minutes, shaking once after five minutes.
Remove after tofu is cooked., let cool a few minutes and enjoy, or mix in with a green salad.
