Chapter 13: Viva la Vegetarian 213
Getting to know tofu
Tofu has been around for over 2,000 years, but
maybe you never tried it because you aren’t
sure what it is or how to use it. We’re here to
fill you in.Tofu is made from soybeans, a good source of
protein. By itself, tofu is bland, but that’s part
of what makes it great because it can go well
in a wide variety of dishes and pick up the
flavors of the other ingredients. Although all
tofu is smooth in texture, it comes in different
forms:
✓ Silken tofu has a softer texture and works
best in sauces, salad dressings, and
desserts. It doesn’t have to be refrigerated
until it’s opened, so you can probably find it
on the shelf.✓ Regular tofu comes in different textures
such as soft, firm, and extra firm. Recipes
usually tell you which kind you need. This
tofu is usually found in a refrigerator case
near the produce or dairy department. After
opening, put any leftovers in a container,
cover with water, and put a cover on the
container. It will keep for about a week.Lots of commercially prepared tofu foods are
available at the grocery. You can find tofu
cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and smoothies.
Remember to check the nutrition labels for
sugar and fat content — just because it’s made
from tofu doesn’t mean it meets your weight
loss surgery dietary guidelines.Making “Meaty” Baked Dishes
Even a meat-and-potatoes person may be convinced to go meatless on
occasion after giving some tasty vegetarian dishes a try. Meatless meals can
be just as filling as those with meat because they tend to be high in fiber,
which is filling.You can find meat-substitute products that are tasty and lower in fat in the
freezer section of the grocery store. These products are also softer and more
moist than meat products, so are less likely to cause food-sticking problems.