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Showing posts with label frugal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label frugal. Show all posts

Sunday, January 15, 2023

Tofu Tips to Make It Taste Amazing

 
Recipes and Ideas to Make Tofu Taste Amazing
Tofu Scramble with Avocado, Peas, Potato, Tomato 



This blog shows you how easy it is to assemble a delicious tofu dish, even if you’ve never made one before.

Post Updated 1/8/2026


Look below and discover tofu prep tips and serving ideas, especially for those who want an amazing change-of-pace meal, or are moving toward a more plant-based lifestyle. 


Many people have little  experience handling and preparing tofu, yet it doesn’t have to be that way.


It's economical, healthy, and easy to incorporate tofu into breakfast, lunch, or dinner dishes your family is sure to enjoy.


Water-packed organic tofu is stored in the refrigerated dairy case, produce, or Asian food area of your market or health food store. 


Tofu is also offered for sale in aseptically wrapped packages. This form of tofu doesn't need to be refrigerated, has a long shelf life, and is already drained. 


I advise you to buy organic or non-gmo tofu for top quality. Prices for fresh organic tofu lists from $1.99-$3.25 per 12oz to 1lb. Portion size is 3 oz. per person. How's that for good value?


Tofu is made by heating and coagulating soy. Magnesium or calcium are used to press curdling soy milk into a solid block of bean curd. 



The most popular forms of tofu are firm or extra firm. It is also available in silken, medium firm and frozen.(firmness depends on how much water is removed). 



Unflavored Tofu is gluten free, has only 78 calories in each 3 oz. serving, and is an excellent source of vegetable protein (8.7 g). 



One 3 oz. serving of tofu contains 4 grams of fat, 0.8 grams of fiber, and is cholesterol free.



Most tofu brands use calcium sulfate to make it, and then each portion of tofu can provide a dose of plant-based calcium. 



Tofu contains many important vitamins and minerals including iron, potassium, manganese, selenium, phosphorous, magnesium, copper, and zinc.



Tofu is a complete protein and contains all nine essential amino acids that your body can't make on its own. 



One 3 oz. serving of tofu does a great job keeping you full for many hours, and may control your urge to overeat.



Tips to Help You Prepare and Serve Tofu


TIP# 1. One of the secrets of insuring tastiness and improving the texture of water packed tofu is to remove all excess water. 


Draining tofu allows a marinade, sauce, or other seasonings to penetrate the tofu better.


My favorite way to drain tofu is:


Place a block of  tofu on a large dinner plate. Cover tofu with another plate and put a weight such as a large can on top of all. 

Refrigerate for at least one half hour and pour off liquid when ready. Pat dry with a clean kitchen towel if needed. 




TIP# 2. Plain tofu is easy to handle. Just drain it, cube it, slice it, cut it into strips, or cut it into any shape that appeals to you.



Tofu can be frozen. Here's a link to a post that explains how to prepare tofu that's been frozen.



No matter what kind of tofu you use, sprinkle on spices like chili powder, ethnic themed spices, or smoked paprika to make taste buds sing. 


Packaged tofu is fully cooked and ready to eat, although many recipes call for it to be heated. 


For heightened taste, follow recipe directions to meld the flavors of veggies, grains, and tofu. Heat in a stir-fry pan, instant pot, oven, or broiler.


Eat tofu in a sandwich, salad, wrap, casserole, stew, soup, or in one of your favorite conventional recipes.

Tofu on a Tossed Green Salad
Strips of Broiled Tofu on a Colorful Salad




Nix extra salt, and coat tofu with lots of herbs, spices, and seasonings before baking, grilling, or stir-frying. 







TIP# 3. Heighten tofu's flavor with interesting marinade ingredients. Here's an easy recipe for 



Oven Baked Oil Free Marinated Tofu 



How to Marinate Tofu


Ingredients:


3 or four garlic cloves grated

1 inch knob fresh ginger grated

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

¼ cup balsamic vinegar (can sub apple cider vinegar or rice wine vinegar)

¼ cup fresh lemon or lime juice

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon mixed seasoning blend of your choice

Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

 

What to Do:

1. In a small mixing bowl, blend or whisk all ingredients listed above to make a marinade. 


2. Place drained extra firm or firm tofu cubes, chunks, or strips( tofu is usually sold in 14 oz. to 1 lb. packages) into a food storage container that has a cover. 


3. Use a pastry brush or spoon to coat pieces of tofu with marinade, cover container, and refrigerate for at least one hour or more. The longer tofu marinates, the tastier it gets, and an overnight bath of marinade is ideal.


4. Preheat oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Place parchment paper on a flat roasting pan and place pieces of tofu on it.


5. Bake tofu for at least 30 minutes until tofu is lightly browned and crunchy (turn over at 15 min.). To add extra oomph quickly sauté the baked tofu in a pan with the extra marinade.

 


Serve baked marinated tofu with your favorite type of potato, cornbread (or other whole grain), and rainbow salad.

Crunchy Baked Marinated Tofu, Russet Potatoes, Cornbread, and Rainbow Salad



 Another way to use marinated tofu is in a stir-fry with colorful veggies and brown rice. 

Marinated Tofu and Veg Stir-fry
Marinated Tofu in Veggie Stir-fry on a Bed of Brown Rice




TIP# 4. Add chopped highly seasoned organic tofu (chili powder, cumin, and fresh cilantro)  or spicy (ginger, garlic, and miso) cubed organic tofu to traditional fare including soups, casseroles, or chili to stretch a recipe and be a frugal homemaker. 

Miso Soup is One Way to Eat More Tofu
Miso Soup with Tofu, Bok Choy, and Soba Noodles



TIP# 5 Blend spicy seasonings including red pepper flakes, minced garlic, and Italian herb blend into drained, crumpled firm or extra firm organic tofu
(use a potato masher or your hands to crumple it). 



Crumbled Tofu



Seasoned chopped tofu can replace chopped beef, poultry, or cheese in pesto or tomato sauce recipes including lasagna, baked ziti, and stuffed shells. 


Eating flavorful tofu is a fabulous way to save money, yet not sacrifice good taste.


TIP #6 Tofu can be a good choice in sandwiches or wraps. Use your food processor or a fork to blend chopped organic tofu with Sloppy Joe sauce, BBQ sauce, or Sriracha sauce. 


Spread this mix on a bun, pita, or collard wrap and add lettuce, shredded carrot, and minced onion to garnish.



TIP#7 Blend drained organic tofu into drained canned tuna, crab meat, or boiled eggs for your next salad sandwich on a whole grain roll, bread, or on top of a mixed green salad.



TIP#8 Add an excellent source of plant based protein ( a cup of crumbled organic tofu) to a cup of coleslaw, macaroni salad, bean salad, or potato salad for an easy one-dish lunch idea. 



TIP#9 Tofu scramble, a vegan alternative to scrambled eggs, is a snap to make. This high protein dish can be ready in 15 minutes. See 

Nan's Tofu Scramble Recipe

Scrambled Tofu, Sir-fry Veggies, Fries, Whole Grain Toast

 
Ingredients:

1 block of drained firm, extra firm, or thawed frozen tofu

1 pack frozen, thawed stir fry veggies

2 Tablespoons Nutritional Yeast

¼ cup vegetable broth

1-2 teaspoons Turmeric

Fresh ground pepper and garlic powder to taste


What to do:

1. Crumble tofu with your hands or potato masher.

2. Sauté tofu without oil for three minutes. If tofu sticks, use a drop of water to moisten pan.

3. Add a pack of defrosted frozen stir fry vegetables, 2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast, ¼ cup vegetable broth, 1-2 teaspoons turmeric, freshly ground black pepper and garlic powder to taste.

4. Cook in a pan on stovetop on a medium setting covered for 10 minutes, stirring often. 

This colorful dish becomes hot and delicious almost before you know it.

Note: If you have fresh veggies on hand like string beans, peas, spinach, or zucchini, prep them into small bite size pieces and use them instead of the stir-fry ones.

5. Serve with whole grain toast, potatoes, and a mixed green salad for a high protein cholesterol free meal.


TIP#10 Silken tofu is the best type of tofu to use in creamy salad dressings, dips, desserts (one example is chocolate mousse pie), smoothies, soups, and sauces. 



Did you notice how easy it is to season and perk up the flavor of tofu?



This healthful, economical soy food is versatile and easy to incorporate into many different meals. 


Hope my tips and ideas to combine tofu with spices, herbs, sauces, marinades, and veggies inspires you. 


Which ways to enhance tofu's taste tempts you?


Please comment below, then hit publish, when you're through.


Please comment below.

Just be aware, I won't be able to publish those with links. Thanks for understanding.


For improved wellness, I encourage you to take the tofu plunge. 


Visit again and again and see how easy it is to make healthier food and lifestyle choices this year and beyond. 

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Monday, August 1, 2022

How to Save Money this Summer by Conserving Energy at Home

Save Energy Be Eco-friendly at Home




For several years I've explored sustainable ways to save money and conserve home energy usage. The predictions are in for an extremely hot, dry southwestern U.S. summer, and I'm striving to save and conserve wherever I can. 

Post updated 6/13/2025


To start, I examined my current home energy conservation/usage plan. With a few simple adjustments, I am saving money and greening the planet as well. Keep on reading to find out what I did.



Many people are finding a need to tighten their budgets, and are searching for new ways to economize this summer and onwards. 


I encourage you to look below for tips that show you frugal, eco-friendly energy saving techniques to use to save natural resources and help you live more sustainably.

Use green home cooling methods 
before resorting to air 
conditioning

Green Cooling Methods for Summer at Home


Employ passive ventilation methods in the early morning or later in the evening by opening doors, windows, skylights, vents, and louvres. 


Let fresh air flow into and through your home for cooling, to remove moisture, and get rid of airborne pollutants.


Close windows and draw room darkening shades, curtains, or blinds, especially during peak hours of sunshine.


Opaque or insulated window coverings help block out the sun’s heat, makes it easier to keep your room cool, and reduces the need for fossil fuel used with air conditioning (therefore reducing utility bills).


When you turn on a ceiling fan, it creates a “wind-chill effect” that helps you feel more comfortable indoors.


Make sure to turn the fan off, before you leave the room.


For tips about how to select and install an energy efficient ceiling fan read this post.


When AC is on, for every degree you raise (make it warmer) the temperature, your energy consumption will decrease by about six percent. So, it’s important to find a balance between comfort and power usage.

Keep thermostat AC temperature as high as comfortable (approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit), and use a fan to circulate the cool air. A slight reduction in energy use can maintain comfort as well as save money.

Program your thermostat to turn off, when you’re not home. There’s no need to keep your home cooler than necessary when nobody is there to enjoy it!

Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator. This beats running tap water to cool it for drinking. This measure saves 200 to 300 gallons of water a month. 

Room Darkening Drapes to Cool Home in Summer


Set your ceiling fan to run counterclockwise on a fast setting in the summer to push the cold air down. 
Set air conditioning thermostat as 
high as 
comfortable
According to results from the 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, 88% of U.S. households use air conditioning (AC) to cool their homes.

This makes AC the biggest summer electric energy drain in most households. 

Keep your air conditioning system working in tip top shape. Schedule an AC unit tune-up each year, change filter often, and make necessary repairs as soon as they are needed. 

Conserve water, a finite natural 
resource




The water that comes out of faucets in your home or apartment accounts for more than
15 % of your total indoor water use or 1 trillion gallons of water across America each year. That's why it's so important to fix all leaking faucets ASAP.  



The aerator tip of the faucet determines the maximum flow rate of the faucet. If you have an older kitchen faucet, consider getting an inexpensive new, water-effective one. Do the same for your bathroom faucets and shower heads too.



When preparing fruits and veggies, refrain from using running water to clean them. Instead, fill the sink or a large bowl with water and immerse produce to clean. 



Afterward, water can go to watering plants in your garden and cuttings can be dumped on your compost pile. This can save 150 to 250 gallons of water per month. See Water Conservation Tips to Save Money and Green Daily Living for additional ideas.



Update lighting to save money and energy 


Use daylight to naturally light your home whenever possible. 
Traditional incandescent light bulbs use the most electricity, and must be replaced more often than their energy efficient alternatives. 
Halogen incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), and light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs) use anywhere from 25-80 percent less electricity and last 3 to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs.

Energy Efficient Lights Conserve Energy at Home


Make the switch to energy-efficient lighting, and get the same amount of light for less money. 


Lighting accounts for 15% of an average home's electricity use. When that household uses LED lighting, it saves approximately $225 in energy costs per year.

Although energy efficient bulbs are more expensive off the shelf, efficient energy use and longer lifetimes means that the cost is less in the long run.

While you're at it, install solar-powered outdoor lights instead of electric. They are inexpensive and a greener source of energy.

Be mindful about your energy
 usage choices


Run the dishwasher only when it's full. Use the eco-setting, if your dishwasher has one.

Operate your washing machine at times when you have a full load of clothes. 

Except for the dirtiest of loads, wash clothes in cold water.

Set your refrigerator temperature between 37-40 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer between 0 and 5. 
Refrigerators and freezers operate most efficiently when full. Keep refrigerator and freezer full, even if you have to use water bottles to take up empty space. 
Just be careful about overfilling these appliances, as this will restrict airflow and cause the motors to work harder.

Check refrigerator and freezer doors and note whether doors are sealed tightly. One rule of thumb is if a dollar bill shut in the door is easy to pull out, it’s time to replace the gasket.
Your clothes dryer is one of the largest energy guzzlers in the home, often consuming as much power as a new refrigerator, dishwasher, and clothes washer combined. 
Summertime is a good time to air-dry clothing when possible. If you have to use your dryer, be sure to clean the lint filter after each use, use the auto-dry or moisture-sensor setting, and don't add wet items to a load that's already partially dry.

note: This post does not discuss major home renovations including converting from electric or gas to whole house solar power, upgrading all appliances to energy star equipment, replacing conventional windows with triple pane windows, new roofing, etc. Its purpose is to show inexpensive ways to save big.

Find new ways to be thrifty and live in harmony with the planet. One way I've found to do that is to check with my utility company, and get a discount for using energy only in off-peak hours. 
I run my washing machine, dishwasher, and dryer only during off peak hours and reap monetary and eco-rewards (the grid is not taxed at its most vulnerable times). I encourage you to see whether your utility company offers a plan that reduces the price you pay for home energy too.
Adopt those energy conservation methods that resonate with you to save money and help reduce your carbon footprint this summer and beyond. 
What are you doing to conserve natural resources, save money, and simplify living? 
Please explain in the comments section below.
Have you used any of the methods outlined above? 
What other things are you doing to green living?
I read and appreciate every comment, but will not be able to publish those with links in them. Thanks for understanding.

I post on the 1st and 15th of each month. Please add www.colors4health.com to your online reading list, as I offer eco-ideas, and wellness and color tips at the place where a healthy lifestyle and colors intersect. 

If you like what you see, please share the love on social media. 🌝 Thanks in advance.

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