Tofu...What does it taste like???

With the diet plan I'm following, I've tried a few new foods (mostly regular foods cooked in a different way), but I've never eaten Tofu and would like to give it a try.

For some recipes, it seems that it's a substitute for cheese, then in other recipes it's used in a stir-fry. I've seen it called for in recipes for soups, salads, and even in a recipe for a Blueberry Tofu Smoothie. That sounds good!

I RARELY eat meat...I switched over to MorningStar & Boca brand 'meat' alternatives some time ago. Recently, I've been enjoying Shreds brand shredded mozzarella cheese alternative in place of regular cheese. Delicious!

I guess I just don't want to waste money purchasing Tofu without having a clue as to the taste. I'd sure appreciate your help!

P.S. Please don't say it tastes like chicken!
Thanks for your help...truly!

Plain tofu in a stir fry taste pretty much like fried egg whites to me. But I think it comes down to how you season it as I've had some very delicious Banana Tofu cheese cakes & very yummy Tofu burgers.

Tofu tastes like... nothing.

Yup, that's right. It doesn't have a taste. It takes on whatever flavor it's cooked with. It's basically a sponge.

A quick tip. Try tofu at a Japanese restaurant before you cook it on your own. I've hated every single tofu dish I've ever made at home, but it tastes great at restaurants.

There are different tofu types. You use extra firm for frying and silken tofu ( basically mush) for smoothies. I'd recommend getting tofu from a Japanese restaurant because they normally use firm tofu and Chinese restaurants use a softer tofu which has an odd texture (like jell-o).

I cooked tofu (the firm type) for the first time when I started FS. I cut it up in to chunks and added it to my brown rice and veggies (sort of like fried rice). It was good and yup, tastes like whatever sauce you use. The consistency is ok. I agree, it's sort of like egg whites.

What I didn't like is how long it takes to get the moisture out of it, before cooking. I browned mine in a pan before adding to the rice and veggies.

Good luck!

Thank you guys so much! I think I'll try it at a restaurant first. I'm one of those people who will try it once and if I don't like it...I never eat it again. Better let the pros handle it my first time out! Thanks again for all your wonderful responses!

I don't eat it often, but when I do I definitely prefer the firm type. The firmer the better. I really don't like the soft kind. I don't care what people say or what it's cooked with, it doesn't feel like scrambled eggs in my mouth, unless by "eggs" you mean "mucus."

I just came across some good tofu recipes here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/13/health/nutrition/13recipehealth.html

I personally love miso soup. It looks like nothing but it's very satisfying. Not to mention very cheap.

Here are some more recipes, Mark Bittman's recipes are usually good and relatively easy: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/17/dining/the-minimalist-tofu-without-a-grimace.html?scp=1&sq=bittman%20tofu&st=cse

http://bitten.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/09/cross-cultural-tofu/

Beets_yum, I'm ROTFLM*O. You cracked me up! And at the same time...Ewwww! Mucus...Yuk!
Well, that did it for me. I have no further desire to try Tofu! My imagination is just too vivid.

For instance, I never touch raw meat or even cook it, because of the oozing blood.
{{{{Me Shivering}}}}
On the rare (no pun intended) occasion that I do eat a sliver of meat, I try Very hard not to think about the process it took to get it on my plate.

Now, I'll be thinking about mucus (yuk again) whenever I hear the word Tofu.

Disgusting visual, but very funny post! Thanks for the Links, but I think I'll sit this one out!