Tofu always sounded nasty to me. I really didn’t know what it was, but when I shifted to mostly plant-based food and started experimenting, I bought some thinking it was “required.” I eat it maybe once a month, but it’s growing on me.

Tofu is white and spongy and kinda looks like a block feta cheese. It does not taste as good as feta cheese. It’s made from soybeans, so I’m not sure it’s safe given all the GMOs out there, but I’m open to other views. My cousin @OKFarmerJon farms our family’s Cherokee allotment in the Ft. Gibson river bottom and I’d eat soybeans if/when he grows them. Just not sure they ever make their way into tofu.

It’s not going to be a frequent meal because it’s still processed food, but it can fill a void. It’s high in protein and it’s really nutritionally dense (meaning it packs a lot in for very little calories).

Here’s the trick – you have to get ALL the water out. When you open the package, some water will pour out but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. You need to squeeze it out some more and the put something heavy on it to keep squeezing it out. Vegan blogs suggest buying a “tofu press” to do this. You can see what one looks like here. The cute ones cost about $25-$35 and they don’t sell those in Tahlequah.

But I have an iron skillet that belonged to my Grandma and it’s my new “tofu press.” Find a flat surface, put down a paper towel (or kitchen towel). You know how to do this because you’ve done this to soak up bacon grease all your life. Cut the tofu in 1 inch strips and then place it on the towel. Add another paper towel on top of that. Then put an iron skillet on it for weight. In about an hour it’s bone dry and NOW you can grill it, pan sear it, throw it in any dish. It will NOW take on whatever flavor you are cooking with and soak it up like the sponge that it is.

I usually get my protein from other sources. This is not my go-to. I prefer beans, peas, etc. But when I opt for tofu, I’m pulling out Grandma’s skillet. An she’s looking down from heaven going, “Well, that’s different.” Grandma would never say what many of you are saying, “WTF?”