Tofu being fried to a golden crisp

Crispy, golden-fried tofu cubes or vegetarian/meat patties with tofu as an ingredient will also be softer and more fragrant.

Not only is tofu delicious, but it’s also a great source of protein and essential nutrients for the body. On days when you’re tired of meat and fish, tofu is a great alternative.

A bowl of tofu cubes

My family eats tofu twice a week, and while it’s tasty, I’ve always wondered how to keep it fresh for longer. Once, I bought some tofu but didn’t get to eat it until the afternoon, and by then, it had already soured and developed a slimy surface, so I had to throw it away. In reality, tofu should be consumed immediately after purchase. Ideally, it shouldn’t be left out for more than four hours.

Recently, while chatting with my foodie friends, I learned a great way to keep tofu fresh. In fact, keeping tofu fresh and preventing it from souring is quite simple. Just follow the two methods below, and you can keep tofu fresh for up to a month. I’ve tried these methods, and they work great.

1. Use Salt Water

Since tofu is made from soybeans, it will turn soft and sour if left out for too long. To preserve tofu for a longer period, you must address this issue.

Tofu cubes in a bowl of salt water

First, cut the tofu into small cubes and place them in a bowl. Pour in boiled water that has been allowed to cool. Note that hot or cold water should not be used at this step to prevent bacterial contamination.

Next, remove the tofu cubes and place them in a bowl of saltwater. The salt will help kill bacteria and inhibit bacterial growth. Then, use plastic wrap or a lid to cover the bowl tightly and store it in the freezer compartment of your refrigerator.

Tofu cubes in a container covered with plastic wrap

Soaking tofu in water is a method of isolating it from the air, thereby prolonging its shelf life. Additionally, it helps keep the tofu soft and tasty.

2. Use Plastic Wrap

First, cut the tofu into small cubes. Prepare a saltwater solution and soak the tofu cubes in it. Similar to the previous method, saltwater will effectively kill bacteria.

Tofu cubes in a bowl of saltwater

Remove the tofu cubes and let them drain. Use plastic wrap to tightly cover each tofu cube. Note that you shouldn’t use too much force, or you might crush the tofu. After wrapping the tofu, immediately place it in the freezer compartment of your refrigerator.

Tofu cubes wrapped in plastic wrap

Since the tofu is stored in the freezer, it will be frozen. This also means that it can be kept for a more extended period, up to a month, without spoiling.

The quality of tofu will vary depending on the storage time. It’s best to consume it within five to seven days. Don’t keep tofu for too long, as it will affect its flavor.

Additionally, it’s essential to choose tofu carefully to ensure that your dishes are not only delicious but also healthy.

Tips for choosing tofu

– Buy tofu with an ivory color similar to soybeans.

– When held, the tofu should feel soft and elastic, not hard.

– The tofu should have a characteristic soybean aroma. Avoid tofu with a lime scent.

Tofu is incredibly versatile and can be used in various dishes. Here’s an easy and tasty tofu recipe that’s perfect for a hearty meal.

BRAISED TOFU

This braised tofu dish is incredibly soft, smooth, and flavorful. The secret to making this dish even more delicious is to add sesame oil at the end.

Ingredients

Ingredients for braised tofu

– Tofu: 1 block

– Onion: ⅓ piece

– Fermented soybean paste: 2 tablespoons

– Scallions

– Garlic

– Cooking oil

– Cornstarch

– Soy sauce: 1 tablespoon

– Oyster sauce: 1 tablespoon

Braised Tofu Recipe

1. Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces.

Cut tofu into cubes

2. Bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch the tofu.

Blanching tofu in boiling water

3. Remove the tofu from the boiling water and place it in cold water.

Tofu in cold water

4. Drain the tofu and set it aside.

Draining tofu

5. Mince the garlic and finely chop the onion and scallions.

Chopped vegetables

6. In a bowl, mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with water until dissolved.

Cornstarch mixture

7. Heat oil in a pan and add the minced garlic. Fry until fragrant.

Frying garlic

8. Add the chopped onion and sauté.

Sautéing onion

9. Add two tablespoons of fermented soybean paste and mix well.

Adding soybean paste

10. Add one tablespoon of sugar.

Adding sugar

11. Add one tablespoon each of soy sauce and oyster sauce.

Adding soy sauce and oyster sauce

12. Mix thoroughly to combine all the ingredients.

Mixing ingredients

13. Add the tofu.

Adding tofu

14. Pour in the cornstarch mixture.

Adding cornstarch mixture

15. Simmer over medium heat, gently shaking the pan to prevent the tofu from sticking to the bottom.

Simmering tofu

16. Add one tablespoon of seasoning to enhance the flavor. Turn off the heat and drizzle one tablespoon of sesame oil over the tofu.

Adding sesame oil

17. Sprinkle with scallions and serve the braised tofu hot.

Braised tofu served with scallions

This braised tofu dish is easy to make and incredibly tasty. The tofu is soft and fragrant, absorbing all the delicious flavors.

Braised tofu

When cooking, remember to blanch the tofu in hot water and avoid stirring too much, as it may break apart.

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