When exploring enticing recipes for your tofu, often you’ll find instructions to pan-fry, bake, or even steam. While these techniques can successfully transform a bland block of tofu into a flavorful source of plant-based protein, the microwave can also be an unexpectedly useful appliance to put together your next tofu meal. In fact, by using the microwave, you can make perfectly heated, tender tofu in just minutes, without compromising on its nutritional value. Plus, the microwave approach bypasses some of the minor inconveniences of pan frying and baking, like dealing with oil splatters or needing to clean multiple dirty dishes.
Simply place your favorite variety of the many types of tofu in a microwave-safe dish, add your preferred sauces and seasonings, and then cook it in the microwave for six to seven minutes (or until steaming). The resulting tofu has a texture that pairs well with a seasoned sauce or a flavorful braising mixture. Serving alongside rice or noodles makes for an easy, tasty meal without long prep work and a difficult clean-up after. To enhance the flavor of your microwaved tofu, consider scoring the top with shallow cuts before seasoning, since doing so helps the tofu absorb the flavorful sauce. For the most flavor, you should also make sure to press the tofu before adding your marinade. So, next time you’re in a pinch and need a quick and satisfying meal, don’t hesitate to reach for a block of tofu and head straight to the microwave.
When not to microwave tofu
Don’t let anyone tell you the microwave is for the lazy cook. In fact, it’s a handy appliance that can make cooking convenient and enjoyable. While using the microwave is an ingenious hack for a quick, flavorful tofu dish in a pinch, there are some situations where you may want to think twice before microwaving tofu. If you’re aiming for browning, crisping, or caramelization, it’s best to skip the microwave and opt for the stovetop, oven, or air fryer instead. For dishes calling for crispy tofu that you can coat in a flavorful glaze or savory sauce, the microwave will yield a soggy result. The same applies to breaded tofu tenders: The microwave works by heating water molecules directly, causing the moisture within the breading to turn to steam, which softens the breading, making the final product mushy and unappetizing.
The extra time and effort that comes with bypassing the microwave is worth it if you desire a satisfying crunch to your tofu dish. Level up your crispy game with hacks like boiling your tofu in salted water or pouring salted water over the slices to further draw out moisture, allowing this multi-faceted block of plant protein to crisp up nicely. The many methods to prepare tofu are as diverse as tofu is versatile. This simple slab of soy has the potential to morph into replacements for animal proteins like chicken, fish, steak, and more, so let the microwave be a complementary gadget to motivate you to tap into the unlimited potential of tofu.
