CHRIS - Use by date query - Freezing tofu and tempeh

[Guest guest]

Dans un e-mail daté du 03/06/2008 19:46:03 Romance Daylight Time,

drpatsant a écrit :

 

What the possibility of freezing tofu means is this: I keep some in the

freezer so that it

defrosts when I want to use it, not being dictated to by the Use-By date

 

 

That is a very handy tip. I never bother when creme fraiche or yoghurt is a

few weeks out of date and use that all the time. I guess it is just a question

of learning what products you can safely use late.

 

Chris

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

> Thanks to the folk who sent replies about the use by date of Tofu. I think I

> will go with dumping it as some of you recomended.. It wasn't very expensive

> and I am still not sure when I would use it.

 

A tip on tofu for those who haven't used it much: you can freeze it very

effectively - at

least, you can freeze the medium and firm textured tofu varieties. I wouldn't

try it with the

soft creamy tofu! I have frozen it just as is, in its packaging. Also, I have

drained it, or I

have drained it under weights or squeezed it gently to get more liquid out,

before

freezing. This gives a firmer texture when defrosted - something that many cooks

want in

the dishes they are preparing. Getting rid of some of the water before freezing

also means

that, on defrosting, you can drain off more water (there's almost always some)

and then

marinate the tofu in whatever marinade you like - it really soaks it up. You can

make a

pretty authentic faux burgundy be*f stew with it, given the right recipe!

 

What the possibility of freezing tofu means is this: I keep some in the freezer

so that it

defrosts when I want to use it, not being dictated to by the Use-By date. (I

also keep some

of the soft tofu that's in aseptic packs on the shelf (they usually have a

longer shelf life).

No pressure, no agony )

 

As for tempeh, it's great because you usually buy it from your healthfood

store's freezer

and you just pop it in your own freezer compartment until you want to use it.

Once you

defrost it in the refrigerator, then of course you must pay some attention to

the Use-By

date. It doesn't need to be drained, pressed, squeezed or whatever, but it also

responds

nicely to marinades.

 

Just a thought. Ask more if you need help!

 

Love and hugs, Pat