How to Bake Tofu

One favourite way to cook tofu is bake. Baking tofu is a lot like roasting except the tofu is usually tossed or coated in a sauce or marinade to keep it moist during baking. The sauce glazes the tofu, creating a richly flavoured coating. You can bake tofu in cubes or slabs. Pat it dry or press the tofu before baking (see the video in the last slide to learn how).

For the best baking, you can follow these simple steps:

Choosing and Buying Tofu
When purchasing tofu, knowledge of the right kind to use in a recipe is a very important key to a successful meal. There are typically three types which are tub tofu, brick tofu, and silken tofu. Some come in a variety of flavours, but if you are just starting out it is best to go with just the plain.

Tofu that is found in a tub is usually packed in water and is commonly found in most all supermarkets. This kind of tofu comes in different levels of firmness from very soft to very firm. However, even the most firm of tub tofu is still very soft. The next kind of tofu, which is often requested in many recipes, is the silken tofu. Smooth and very soft, this tofu is the main ingredient in spreads and desserts. Lastly, brick tofu, as the name implies, is the tofu that is best suited for baking or grilling. This type of tofu is packaged in paper and then vacuumed sealed. With a density of super mega firm, this tofu is easy to cube or slice.

Preparing Tofu for Baking
Once you have unpacked the tofu, all excess water will need to be drained from the food. Wrap in paper towels and weigh down (careful not to disrupt the integrity of the tofu’s structure) for about 30 minutes. Once this step has been completed flavouring needs to be decided, especially if the tofu has none. Since plain tofu does not really have any kind of taste at all, the sky is the limit when seasoning. No matter what kind of flavour you introduce, just know that each and every morsel or tofu will become fully infused. If marination is chosen, just slice or cube, depending on your preference and let the tofu rest in the marinade for at least 8 hours. Make sure to turn pieces over half way through the process.

Baking Tofu
With marination out of the way, it is now time to put the tofu in the oven to bake. First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees and then place the cubed or sliced tofu in a pan that has either been sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray or oiled with olive oil. With the tofu placed side by side, bake in the oven for 30 to 45 minutes. You will want to turn the pieces every 15 minutes to ensure even cooking. Once the tofu is out of the oven, serve it over salads, as an appetizer, or even as the focal point of a main course. Not only will your friends and family love it, but your mouth will love it too.

For other baking tips, let see 7 Tricks Baking Techniques