Vegan Goulash with Smoked Tofu Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (2024)

FAQs

Do you have to cook smoked tofu? ›

Nope! You can eat store-bought smoked tofu directly from the package. There's no need to cook or press it, as it's already been cooked for you. Since it's way more flavourful than plain tofu, you don't always have to add extra seasonings or marinades.

Press the block of extra-firm tofu to remove excess liquid. Use your hands to break the tofu into crumbles, resembling the size of ground meat. Sauté or bake the crumbles in oil to get them crispy before using. Alternatively, use uncooked crumbles for making burgers.

You can eat raw tofu without cooking directly from the pack, but make sure that you drain off the excess water first because it does not add anything to the experience.

Any food that is contaminated is going to make you ill. Remove the tofu from the packaging and rinse it thoroughly. If you are handling raw meat at the same time as the tofu, use separate utensils. Other than that, there are no risks to eating raw tofu.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, half a cup of firm tofu offers 21.8 grams of protein with 181 calories and 11 grams of fat. Most of that fat is of the healthy polyunsaturated kind. The high level of protein makes tofu a good alternative to animal-derived meat.

As with any food, the healthiest options among plant-based meat alternatives are the ones you can eat in as close to their original, whole form as possible. For example, jackfruit flesh or a soy food like tofu undergoes significantly less processing than products like the Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger.

Soy-based tofu, the most ubiquitous meat alternative, has almost 10 g of protein per 3-oz. serving, along with fiber and healthy fats. It's also lighter on greenhouse-gas emissions than meat.

All tofu can be eaten raw, but our Smoked Tofu is extra delicious straight from the package. Just add it to salads, sandwiches or wraps as you would do with cold cuts.

Tofu is a lot like cheese, and it can be eaten raw—as it often is, tossed in salads and on skewers as appetizers. However, when frying, it can take up to 5 minutes per side, depending on the size of the cuts, to get a nice browned or crisp exterior. Shortchanging your cook time will ensure a soft, unexciting tofu.

Smoked Tofu

This extra-firm tofu is most often smoked in tea leaves, giving it a light hue and smoky flavor. It's so dry and dense, you can barely see the curds, and is very similar to dry tofu, but with a lighter up-front flavor.

Is tofu already cooked when you buy it? ›

Tofu is technically already cooked. But silken and soft are most often eaten this way. Drain and rinse the tofu and be sure that the tofu has been properly stored before enjoying it straight out of the package.