If many were asked to find the tofu in a particular grocery store, they would move towards the refrigerator area. However, tofu can also be found in an aseptic box as a shelf-stable product. This tofu is known as silky tofu. Like the kind you find in the refrigerator, silky tofu comes in a variety of firmness levels. However, because it has more moisture in it, it tends to be more fragile or, as we dare, more silky. There are a variety of recipes that benefit from a block of silken tofu – from desserts to hearty dips. Here’s how to use silky tofu plus 14 super easy recipes to try.
Heart of a baker
cake
There are a handful of ways to successfully replace eggs in a non-vegan cake recipe, and silky tofu is one of them. It provides moisture and a little buoyancy to the dough without affecting the cake’s taste. About a quarter cup of silken tofu (mixed) is the same as one egg. For more ideas on replacing eggs, check out our Baking Replacement Guide.
Try these recipes: Easy vegan pound cake and vegan carrot cake
Babe Made Blog
Cheese sauces
For vegan alfredos, quesos and other pourable cheeses, silky tofu is key. It’s often mixed with cornstarch and cashew nuts and then heated over the stove to activate cornstarch’s thickening properties. We’re officially declaring tofu the most versatile food in the vegan arsenal – watching it go from a slippery white patch to bubbly queso is magical.
Try these recipes: Vegan Alfredo Sauce with Silky Tofu and Vegan Tofu Nacho Cheese Sauce
Hot for food
Creamy dessert fillings
Puddings, mousses, and cream pies usually rely on eggs because they are rich and silky. Silken Tofu can replicate that super smooth, decadent experience you get with any good butterscotch pudding, New York style cheesecake, or chocolate cream cake. When tofu is mixed with sugar, flavoring, and a thickening agent like cashew nuts or cornstarch, it easily melts into a silky batter. So go on, enjoy this chocolate pudding – it contains protein!
Try these recipes: The best vegan blueberry cheesecake and chocolate mousse
Connoiseurus Veg
Spices
Do you want to build your own vegan ranch or your spicy mayo? Use silk tofu. Again, tofu replaces the eggs in this application. Traditional mayonnaise is an emulsion of eggs, oil, mustard, and an acid that is beaten evenly until it reaches the thick but slippery consistency of mayo. With the tofu version, you simply mix all the ingredients together until they come together in delicious harmony.
Try these recipes: Vegan Mayonnaise and Silken Tofu Ranch Dressing
Cozy peach cuisine
Dips
To find a pin-point spinach and artichoke or French onion dip, you need some silk tofu. Just flash it up with vegan cream cheese, vegetables, herbs and spices and add this mixture to a toasted bread bowl or next to salty potato chips. The tofu adds a creaminess without changing the color of your flawless white dip, sprinkled with green herbs or dotted with caramelized onions.
Try these recipes: Vegan French onion dip and the best vegan spinach artichoke dip
Vegan every day
Scrambles
You can use medium or firm tofu from the refrigerator for this application, but silky tofu offers a lighter, fluffier texture that will be addicting. In contrast to firm tofu, the silky variety does not have to be pressed. Just gently break the block open with your spoon as you stir-fry it with your other ingredients. Note: Just like chilled tofu, there are degrees of firmness of silky tofu (soft, medium, and firm). For scrambled eggs, opt for the solid type of silk.
Try these recipes: Soft Tofu Scramble and Silken Tofu Scramble
The Korean vegan
Soups
Silken tofu was made for soups. From Korean tofu soup to Japanese miso, silky tofu is a standout ingredient. Its smooth texture works wonderfully in a flavored, sometimes spicy broth, absorbing the flavors and adding a silky complexity to the tablespoon. Forget about chicken noodles – tofu soup is our favorite when the weather is bad.
Try these recipes: A box of soon-to-be tofu stew and vegan miso tofu soup
Asked Flink is a digital editor for VegNews, and is a writer and fitness enthusiast based in Orange County, CA.
Photo credit: Cozy peach kitchen
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