Tofu is prepared with by crushing soya beans into a
puree and adding a setting agent.
In Japan, Soya has been used since the 7th century. It is thought that it was
introduced by Buddhist monks returning from a voyage in China.
Tofu contains :
Iron, amino acid, potassium, calcium, magnesium, Vitamins A, B complex and K,
It is rich in proteins, but unlike meat does not contain any cholesterol and is thus an excellent source of proteins for vegetarians.
According to Marilyn Glenville in the "Natural
Alternatives To HRT Cookbook " Soya beans and therefore tofu are particularly
rich in phytoestrogens - naturally occurring substances in foods which have a hormonal like action.
Japanese women have minimal menopausal problems which may be due to the large amounts of soya they eat
According to Patrick Holford in 100% Health, soya may
also be one of the reasons that Japanese and Chinese women have lower rates of
breast cancer. Men can also benefit from eating tofu since it contains certain
isoflavones which when consumed daily have been shown to lower the risk of
prostate cancer.
In common with other foods which are high in soluble fibre, Tofu has been shown to slow down the speed of digestion and thus
regulate blood sugar levels.
In Stop Ageing Now, Jean Carper writes that soybeans ( and therefore tofu) are a rare source of an antioxidant
called genistein.
Genistein blocks an enzyme which turns on cancer genes. It has been shown in laboratory tests to curb
the growth of all types of cancer.
Tofu does not have much taste - Its subtle bland nature balances extreme flavours and adds contrast to salty and pungent
foods. It can be baked, steamed, marinated, sautéed, deep fried, boiled and even eaten raw. It can
also be bought smoked or mixed with vegetables
Recipe : Creamy Banana Date Shake
This highly nutritious, delicious drink should be made with silken tofu which is quite soft.
In addition to tofu it contains banana which contains potassium, typtophan, vitamin C, Beta Carotene and vitamin B6 and dates
which contain calcium, iron , Beta Carotene and vitamin B3.
Ingredients :
290g silken Tofu
1 medium ripe banana
1 cup of unsweetened apple juice
4 pitted dates
Method :
Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
Recipe : Tofu, Pepper and Aubergine Bake
This recipe is taken from "Recipes for Runners" by Sammy Green
Ingredients
2 tbsp Olive oil
1 onion chopped
1/2 red pepper, deseeded and
chopped
1/2 green pepper, deseeded and
chopped
1 medium aubergine (eggplant)chopped
2 carrots, finely sliced
1 small cooking (tart) apple,
cored and chopped
50g sultanas (golden raisins)
300g firm tofu, cubed
50g unsalted peanuts
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp peeled and grated fresh root
ginger
2 free-range eggs
150 ml skimmed milk
Method
1 Heat the oil in a frying pan or wok and sauté the onion for about 5 minutes or until transparent. Add all
the vegetables and the apple to the pan and stir-fry for 10 minutes or until soft.
2. Stir in the sultanas, tofu and peanuts with the spices. Continue to cook for a further 2-3 minutes, then turn
into a casserole.
3. Beat the eggs and milk together and pour over the top of
the vegetables. Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C/375°F (Gas Mark 5) for about 20 minutes or until brown and
bubbling.