Tofu is rich in nutrition, contains many trace elements necessary for human body, such as iron, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, as well as sugar, vegetable oil and rich high-quality protein, and has the reputation of "vegetable meat".
Edible effect of tofu
1. antithrombotic
Saponins contained in soybean have obvious anticancer activity, which can inhibit the growth of tumor cells, platelet aggregation and thrombosis by scavenging free radicals in vivo.
2. Substitute for milk
The nutritional value of tofu is similar to that of milk. Tofu is the best substitute for people who can't drink milk or eat meat and poultry to control chronic diseases because of lactose intolerance.
3. The "protector" of menopause
Effectively prevent the occurrence of osteoporosis, breast cancer and prostate.
4. Prevention of cardiovascular diseases
Tofu can not only strengthen the brain, but also inhibit the intake of cholesterol. Soybean protein significantly reduces plasma cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein, which can not only prevent colon cancer, but also help prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
5. Reduce the risk of breast cancer
Soybeans used to make tofu contain soybean isoflavones, which can regulate the response of mammary glands to estrogen. The concentration of isoflavones in Japanese women's urine is 100 ~ 1000 times that of American and Dutch women, which is related to the fact that Japanese people often eat soybeans, which is also a reason why the incidence of breast cancer in Japan is lower than that in Europe and America. In addition, it can effectively prevent leukemia, colon cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer and so on.
6. It is beneficial to the growth and development of the brain.
Tips for purchasing tofu
Look at the color: directly observed under scattered light, high-quality tofu is uniform milky white or light yellow, slightly shiny;
Touch by hand: high-quality tofu blocks have complete shape, moderate hardness, elasticity, fresh texture, uniform structure and no impurities;
Smell: high-quality tofu has the unique smell of tofu, while inferior tofu has a light smell.
Tofu. Jpg has unpleasant smell or other peculiar smell, and tofu with dark gray, dark yellow or reddish brown color is not suitable for purchase.
Storage skills of tofu
Packaged tofu goes bad easily. After you buy it, soak it in water immediately, put it in the refrigerator, take it out and cook it. Take it out for no more than 4 hours and keep it fresh. It is best to eat it on the day of purchase. Boxed tofu is easy to store, but it still needs to be refrigerated in the refrigerator to ensure that it will not rot during storage. If you can't eat it all at once, you can cut it as much as you need, and the rest can be put back in the freezer to eat next time.
Cooking skills of tofu
South and north tofu have a certain beany smell, while north tofu has a slight bitter taste. In order to remove odor, the key of many tofu dishes is to blanch tofu in water before cooking. You know, the blanching of tofu is very particular. It is common that a lot of scalded tofu is either scattered all over the floor or hollow in the middle, which does not meet the requirements of cooking. This is the secret of tofu blanching. The correct way is to cut tofu into small squares of similar size, then put it in a basin and heat it with cold water. When the water temperature rises to about 90℃, tofu will float slowly if it is kept at a low temperature. When you feel a certain hardness when you pinch it with your hands, take it out and soak it in cold water.
Taboo of tofu
1. Tofu contains more purines, and gout patients with abnormal purine metabolism and patients with elevated blood uric acid concentration should not eat tofu.
2. Those with rotten cold, stomach cold, diarrhea, abdominal distension, spleen deficiency and kidney deficiency, and frequent nocturnal emission should not eat more.
Although tofu is good, it should not be eaten every day, and don't overdo it once.
4. The elderly and patients with kidney disease, iron deficiency anemia, gout and arteriosclerosis should control their diet.
Edible suggestion of tofu
Tofu is soaked in salt water for 20 minutes, so it is not easy to break when it is cut. Tofu can be made into soup, stir-fry, stew, cold salad and shabu-shabu. When frying tofu, use a spatula as little as possible, just shake the pot gently, and it won't break easily when fried yellow.