Meatless Monday Tofu

The past few days of soaring humidity and heat can make it difficult to be motivated to turn on the stove or oven.
So for the remainder of the summer our Meatless Monday recipes will be dedicated to foods that can be cooked on the grill or with no or little heat preparation.
The recipe and links to recipes below feature tofu which is easy to prepare. When served with a mixed green salad you'll have a delicious meal.

Tofu is a plant base food made from soy beans. A four ounce portion for tofu has 10.1 grams of protein and 94 calories. Raw tofu uncooked with no added fat has only 5 g fat. Tofu is a cholesterol free food and abounds in pytochemicals that may protect against heart disease. The isoflavoniods in Tofu can help soften the effects of menopause and protect against breast cancer.

Tofu is made using the same techniques as cheese. The process begins with a liquid that looks like milk but is only ground soybeans. This liquid is called soy milk and is heated and with the addition of salts or acid to make it curdle or solidify. The salts work like rennet to separate the soy milk into curds and whey. The curds are ladled into settling boxes that are perforated and lined with cloth. The whey drips out of the boxes, the remaining curds are pressed and the result is tofu. The more the tofu is pressed the firmer it becomes and the more nutrient dense and caloric ally dense it becomes. Firm or Extra firm Tofu is then package in water filled containers.

Silken Tofu is made with thick soy milk plus lactone along with the salt or acid which makes it possible for the soy milk to thicken in its container as yogurt does..
There are several textures of silken tofu available soft, firm and extra firm.

Today's recipes call for Regular Extra firm or flavored very firm baked tofu. Please always purchase non genetically modified Tofu. If the container does not state it is Non GMO then make another selection.


Raw Tofu with Green Onions
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 container of Extra firm Non GMO Tofu
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon or lime juice
½ cup Soy Sauce
1 tablespoon Molasses
2 teaspoons Dark Sesame Oil
2 Tablespoons Cilantro chopped
3 Scallions trimmed and sliced thinly on bias
Salt and Pepper to taste
Directions:
1.    Drain the tofu and place it on a bed of paper towel to press. Place a 4-5 sheets of paper towel around tofu cube then place a weight on top to drain out excess water, cut it   into 1 inch cubes.
2.    Combine the remaining ingredients in a bowl.
3.    Place tofu in the bowl and season with salt and pepper and toss with marinate.
4.    Cover and refrigerate tofu for one hour or longer before serving.


More Recipes ......

Vegan Caprese Salad with Israeli Couscous & Tofu

Grilled Tofu with Chimichurri Sauce
Curried Tofu Salad
Greek Tofu Salad
And for Dessert ....
Tofu Chocolate Pudding
Silken Lemon Cream Burlee