With vegetarian diets becoming more mainstream and more and more non-vegetarians opting for “meatless Mondays," it’s worth acquainting yourself with a staple food of the vegetarian diet – tofu. Some may cringe at the mere sound of the word, but if prepared correctly, this versatile protein can be quite delicious and satisfying. If you’re new to cooking tofu, start with a few basic tips to help you prepare tofu easily right in your kitchen at Marquis at Treetops.

Use firm or extra firm tofu
Use firm or extra firm tofu for most recipes, so that it holds-up while cooking. Before cooking, slide and press it for 10-15 minutes with a brick, a stack of books, or a pan filled with water to squeeze out excess water.

Safety first!
Steam raw tofu for 5 minutes to kill any bacteria before adding it to any uncooked dish, like a salad or a sandwich.

Add some flavor
Use spices like ginger, cumin, or curry or marinate in soy sauce or your favorite dressing to add some interest to this mild protein.

Tofu is a chameleon
It can be baked, fried or steamed. Try adding fried tofu to pasta with sautéed veggies and top with pesto and cheese, or serve baked tofu with couscous or rice and a salad for a healthy option. Or enjoy fried tofu on a whole wheat roll with lettuce, tomato, and mayo for a hearty lunch or add steamed tofu to a fresh vegetable stirfry for dinner.