Vrste tofua i karakteristike (Types of tofu and characteristics)

 1. Svileni tofu (en. sliken tofu) 

Tekstura: kao puding, potpuno gladak.

Voda: najviše vlage.

Ukus: neutralan, skoro “mlečan”.

Kako se ponaša svileni tofu?

• lako se raspada
• ne drži oblik
• ne seče se na kocke

Upotreba svilenog tofua:

• krem namazi
• smutiji
• veganski dezerti
• sosevi (kao zamena za pavlaku za kuvanje ili jogurt)

Sta moze da zameni svileni tofu? (Link)

Svileni tofu je krem sir ili dezert osnova.

Kisela pavlaka od svilenog tofua za testo

 2. Meki tofu (en. soft tofu) 

Tekstura: mek, ali stabilniji od svilenog tofua.

Voda: srednja.

Ukus: neutralan.

Kako se ponaša meki tofu?

• može da se namaže
• može da se seče pažljivo
• blago se mrvi

Upotreba mekog tofua:

• namazi
• lagane supe
• blago prženje

Meki tofu je univerzalni lagani tofu.

 3. Cvrsti tofu (en. firm tofu) 

Tekstura: čvrsta, kompaktna.

Voda: manje.

Ukus: gušći, “zbijen”.

Kako se ponaša cvrsti tofu?

• drži oblik
• može da se seče na kocke
• dobro upija marinade

Upotreba cvrstog tofua:

• prženje
• vok jela
• pečenje
• gril

Cvrsti tofu je zamena za meso.

Kako pripremiti cvrsti tofu?

Kako napraviti cvrsti tofu?

3 Marinade za cvrsti tofu 

Biljni krem sir od soje 

 4. Ekstra cvrsti tofu (en. extra firm tofu) 

Tekstura: najkompaktnija.

Voda: minimalna.

Kako se ponaša ekstra cvrsti tofu?

• skoro kao kackavalj (sir)
• može da se renda, seče, prži bez raspadanja.

Upotreba ekstra cvrstog tofua:

• hrskavi tofu
• stir-fraj
• sendvici i rolnice
• “slanina” stil priprema

Ekstra cvrsti tofu je “protein blok”.

Kako pripremiti ekstra cvrsti tofu?

 5. Dimljeni tofu (en. smoked tofu) 

Tekstura: cvrsti ili ekstra cvrsti.

Ukus: dimljen, izražen.

Kako se ponaša dimljeni tofu?

• već ima jak ukus
• ne traži mnogo začina

Upotreba dimljenog tofua:

• sendvici i rolnice
• salate
• brze proteinske uzine

Dimljeni tofu je gotov ukus bez kuvanja.

 6. Fermentisani tofu (en. fermented tofu) 

Tekstura: mekana pasta ili kockice u salamuri.

Ukus: jak, slan, “sirast”.

Kako se ponaša fermentisani tofu?

• koristi se kao začin, ne kao osnova.

Upotreba fermentisanog tofua:

• sosevi
• kineska kuhinja
• pojačivač ukusa

Fermentisani tofu je “tofu kao začin”.

Zanimljive stvari o tofuu

1. Tofu je “sundjer”. Sam po sebi nema jak ukus — ali upija marinade, menja karakter po pripremi.

2. Razlika nije samo čvrstoća, nego i voda. Svileni tofu ima puno vode pa daje krem. Cvrsti tofu ima manje vode pa daje osećaj mesa.

3. Može da se ponaša kao:

• sir (namazi)
• meso (prženje)
• jaja (kajgana)
• pavlaka za kuvanje (blend)
• krem sos

4. Cvrsti tofu se često: presuje (izbaci voda), pa tek onda marinira. To ga pretvara u “sunđer za ukuse”.

 1. Silken tofu 

Texture: pudding-like, completely smooth.

Water: the most moisture.

Taste: neutral, almost "milky".

How does silken tofu behave?

• it falls apart easily
• does not hold its shape
• it is not cut into cubes

Uses of silken tofu:

• cream spreads
• smoothies
• vegan desserts
• sauces (as a substitute for cooking cream or yogurt)

What can replace silken tofu? (Link)

Silken tofu is a cream cheese or dessert base.

Silken tofu sour cream for dough

 2. Soft tofu 

Texture: soft but firmer than silken tofu.

Water: medium.

Taste: neutral.

How does soft tofu behave?

• it can be spread
• can be cut carefully
• it crumbles slightly

Using soft tofu:

• as a spread
• for light soups
• for light frying

Soft tofu is a universal light tofu.

 3. Firm tofu 

Texture: firm, compact.

Water: less.

Taste: thicker, "compact".

How does firm tofu behave?

• holds its shape
• can be cut into cubes
• absorbs marinades well

Using firm tofu:

• frying
• wok dishes
• baking
• grill 

Firm tofu is a substitute for meat.

How to prepare firm tofu?

How to make firm tofu?

3 Marinades for firm tofu 

Plant-based soy cream cheese 

 4. Extra firm tofu 

Texture: the most compact.

Water: minimal.

How does extra firm tofu behave?

• almost like cheese
• it can be grated, cut, fried without falling apart.

Using extra firm tofu:

• crispy tofu
• stir-fry
• sandwiches and wraps 
• "bacon" style preparation

Extra firm tofu is a "protein block".

How to prepare extra firm tofu?

 5. Smoked tofu 

Texture: firm or extra firm.

Taste: smoky, distinct.

How does smoked tofu behave?

• it already has a strong taste
• does not require much seasoning

Usage of smoked tofu:

• sandwiches and wraps 
• salads
• fast protein snacks

Smoked tofu is a ready-made taste without cooking.

 6. Fermented tofu 

Texture: soft paste or cubes in brine.

Taste: strong, salty, "cheesy".

How does fermented tofu behave?

It is used as a seasoning, not as a base.

Using fermented tofu:

• sauces
• Chinese cuisine
• flavor enhancer

Fermented tofu is "tofu as a seasoning".

Interesting facts about tofu

1. Tofu is a "sponge". It doesn't have a strong taste by itself — but it absorbs marinades, changing its character after preparation.

2. The difference is not only strength, but also water. Silken tofu has a lot of water, so it gives cream. Firm tofu has less water, so it gives the feeling of meat.

3. It can behave like:

cheese (spread)

meat (frying)

eggs (scrambled eggs)

cooking cream (blend)

cream sauce

4. Hard tofu is often:

pressed (throw out the water) and only then marinates. This turns it into a "sponge for tastes".