Because the soy milk is coagulated without curdling the milk when making silken tofu, it means that it has a much softer consistency compared to regular tofu, and will even fall apart quite easily if proper care isn’t taken when handling it.
However, this does also mean that it is far easier to incorporate silken tofu into more unique recipes, and while it may be on the slightly smaller and weaker side, you can be sure that this tofu variant still retains the sweet and slightly milky flavor that the authentic Japanese ingredient is so beloved for.
If you’re curious to try out some silken tofu for yourself, rather than simply enjoying it on its own with a small salad, experiment with a few of these exciting and appetizing recipes today. Who knows, you might just find your new favorite way to enjoy some tofu after you’re done reading.
1. Spicy Silken Tofu
It’s hard to believe that this meal, which is packed full of fiery flavors, can be boiling hot and ready to serve in as little as 20 minutes.
While this is definitely a good recommendation for anyone who enjoys their afternoon meals to be a little spicier, it should be noted that you can adjust the heat by laying off the chili garlic sauce entirely and using more of the vegetable broth.
The addition of the carrots and mushrooms makes it so the texture is a little firm and chewy while the silken tofu helps to make the overall dish lush and creamy.
2. Silken Tofu Scramble
When we say that silken tofu can be used as a welcome ingredient to any meal of the day, we mean it, and this includes using it as part of a light and hearty breakfast option such as in this recipe where it makes the scrambled eggs a little more fluffy and softer to bite into.
Make sure to include a handful of sauteed veggies to really ramp up the nutritional value of this dish so that it can taste as refreshing and healthy as possible.
3. Vegan Silken Tofu Omelet
Another scrumptious egg-based breakfast option that is made all the more flavorful when adding in some silken tofu is an omelet, especially when you fold it over while cooking and pack some mushrooms, herbs, and even a few spices on one side so that it never tastes too soft or hollow.
Of course, you don’t only have to stop at mushrooms, you can also include some juicy cucumber slices, broccoli, (see also: How Long To Boil Broccoli)tomatoes, and even avocado to make this satisfying snack as delightful as possible, perfect for enjoying on a hot summer’s day when you want a meal that won’t have you feeling bogged down for the rest of the day.
4. Chilled Cucumber Soup
When the sun is beaming down and the temperatures begin to rise, you can never go wrong preparing a fruity chilled soup to sip on while admiring the beautiful weather, and while cucumber soup on its own is already full of nutritional benefits and incredibly easy to make, by adding in half a pound of silken tofu, it makes the mixture even creamier and more mouthwatering than ever.
The best part is making this delicious soup is easier than ever, simply place all the ingredients in a blender, mix them together, and then add any seasonings before letting the soup cool for two hours so the flavors can develop, it really is that simple.
5. Silken Tofu Curry
Ready in just 30 minutes and bursting with exotic flavors, this is a quick and easy curry recipe that brings together peanut sauce, tender vegetables, and Thai red curry flavors to create a spicy curry bowl that is made all the more smooth and silky due to the silken tofu.
Keep in mind that you should always bake the silken tofu into small cubes since using it without cooking it beforehand can make it a little too delicate to use in a curry, so this way you can add a slightly more firm texture which will naturally melt into the spicy sauce.
6. Creamy Chocolate Mousse
Silken tofu doesn’t only go well as part of a dinner meal or an afternoon snack, but it can also be used to make a sweet and delightful dessert that you can either prepare after a big and hearty meal or as a simple dish to surprise the friends and family with for the next time you see them.
This creamy chocolate mousse is the perfect example of this kind of dessert, requiring only 3 ingredients and ready to serve in just 15 minutes.
This is a sweet treat that any lover of chocolate needs to try, just make sure that you prepare seconds as you can guarantee people will be asking for more.
7. Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
If you’ve never tried the mixture of double-battered cauliflower bites with crispy chickpeas, you really need to, especially if you’re a fan of crunchy chicken strips since these two ingredients replicate that meaty flavor incredibly well, and with the silken tofu thrown into the mix, it makes for some downright delicious tacos that are great to serve at a party or as an evening snack before heading to bed.
It should be said beforehand that these tacos do contain an incredibly spicy aroma and flavor due to the chili powder, so keep this in mind before you take that first big bite.
8. Butternut Mac & Cheese
This plant-based mac and cheese recipe makes the unordinary decision to incorporate some silken tofu into the dish, a decision that many people would initially think wouldn’t add too much flavor or texture to this all-time classic, but the truth is that adding just a few ounces is enough to pack so much more of a creamy taste into this beloved meal.
The Himalayan salt used in this recipe may taste fairly similar to most of its counterparts, but its appearance is a lot shinier and more visually appealing, giving this dish a sense of class and style that you don’t usually see on many mac and cheese recipes which are usually thrown together.
9. Grilled Seitan Chicken
While many recipes will pair standard firm tofu with seitan chicken to compliment its chewy texture, silken tofu on the other hand helps to keep the chicken soft and moist which also works to help replicate the tender texture of regular chicken that we are all so accustomed to eating.
You might be wondering what benefits seitan chicken has over regular chicken, and the truth is there are many, with it being a much more nutritional choice that is still incredibly high in protein but also contains many essential minerals including selenium, iron, phosphorus, and calcium, just to name a few.
10. Chinese Braised Tofu
Many of us have tried the effortlessly sweet flavor of soy sauce before, but this sauce is just the beginning of what can be a much bigger, tastier, and more appetizing condiment when you fuse it with multiple other ingredients including bamboo shoots, Shaoxing wine, and oyster sauce.
When you combine these extra ingredients together with the soy sauce before finally adding the mixture to the meat-filled stir fry, it creates an incredibly sweet sensation that you can only find being served in the highest rated Chinese restaurants.
The silken tofu may be a much smaller ingredient compared to everything else used in this recipe, but you can be sure that it is just as important, adding a hint of milkiness to the sauce which tastes so good when glazed over the chicken.
11. Mapo Tofu
All lovers of spicy food need to try out mapo tofu, an authentic Chinese dish that uses ground pork (see also: How To Cook Chorizo)as the core of the recipe which is surrounded by a delightful medley of ingredients including ginger, garlic, and spicy bean sauce which is considered a must in this recipe.
However, this isn’t to suggest that the tofu is simply a small side ingredient, in fact, it is actually crucially important for soaking up all the juices from the pork and the flavor of the sauce while adding a softer texture to each bite you take.
So that you can evenly spread the tofu out around the plate, and so you can enjoy its natural texture and taste as much as possible, we would recommend cutting them into 1 inch cubes rather than serving them in big blocks.
Summary
Silken tofu is one of those ingredients that is considered a hidden gem by many people, especially since it is often overshadowed by its counterpart.
As anyone who has tried silken tofu will tell you however, it tastes just as good, if not better than regular tofu thanks to how much more soft, fluffy, and creamy it is in its texture, so there really is never a bad time to memorize a few recipes that make full use this wonderful ingredient.
When I gave birth to my first kid, I could no longer skip dinner, or just cook easy meals.
This is what inspired me to create EatThinkBeMerry.com.
I hope you will get to find your own inspiration for your next meals and have as much fun as we do looking out for you!
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