Silken Tofu Smoothie - Wholefood Soulfood Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Is silken tofu good for smoothies? ›

Silken tofu in a smoothie?! Yep. Here's the thing: you can't taste the tofu but it creates an ULTRA creamy smoothie and adds plant-based protein for a satisfying and nutrient-dense breakfast.

Use refrigerated silken or soft tofu to create the best flavor and texture for your smoothie. To make this a smoothie bowl, add only ¼ cup of milk to start and use a high speed blender with a tamper. Patiently blend until desired consistency. You can save leftover silken tofu in the fridge or freezer.

Both silken and regular tofu can be found in soft, medium, firm, and extra-firm consistencies. They are made with the same ingredients, but they are processed slightly differently and are not interchangeable in a recipe.

The best kind of tofu to use for smoothies is soft or silken tofu! It's much easier to blend these into a smooth, creamy texture compared to the firm or extra firm tofu that you may be more familiar with in your cooking.

Tofu contains several anti-inflammatory, antioxidant phyto-chemicals making it a great addition to an anti-inflammatory diet. What is this? Tofu is also a good source of 'complete' plant protein, meaning that it has a well-balanced amino acid profile. It's also one of the most well-known plant-based sources of iron.

"For the vast majority of people, it should be reasonable to incorporate tofu in their daily diet without any issues," Sun said. He and his family eat "probably three servings per week," Sun said. He likes using soft tofu in soups and firm tofu – frozen and cut up – in a traditional Chinese hot pot.

Frozen tofu loses moisture, creating a chewier and more porous texture. So, if you've been wondering how to make tofu firmer, freezing it and thawing it before use is a great idea.

In general, opened, uncooked tofu is good for up to five days when stored correctly. As for cooked tofu (including tofu integrated into dishes), you'll have four to five days to eat it when it's stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Of course, the key here is storing the tofu in the right way.

As you can see from the image above, the frozen tofu color is a bit more yellow. Don't worry, this is totally normal, it's just what happens when the soy protein freezes. If you go for option two, make sure to squeeze or pat down your tofu to press some of the water out.

Tofu Nutrition

For relatively similar serving sizes, the nutrition differences between silken and firm tofu are pretty big. Silken tofu contains only about half the calories and fat, while firm tofu contains over twice the protein. The reason for this is water content.

Can you eat silken tofu raw? ›

You can eat raw tofu straight from the pack if you like, but you'll probably want to drain off some of the excess water first, as it can be messy, and it doesn't really add anything to the experience.

And silken tofu, on the opposite end of the spectrum, isn't pressed at all, and it's so soft that it can be eaten with a spoon. I find that it makes a welcome addition to my winter hot pots and summer salads. It's also useful as a supporting player in sauces and even as a binder in meatballs.

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

As we use mild-flavored silken tofu, you can't taste it at all once it's blended with the fruit. So a tofu smoothie will taste like to fruit that you use. But what makes it special is how creamy it is. Adding tofu to smoothies makes them extra rich and creamy, a little like soft-serve ice cream.

Soft silken tofu would be my choice for blending into desserts or slicing into miso soup, but if you're serving it as a main dish or topping it onto bowls, extra-firm is what you'll need. It has a heartier, denser texture and less water content than other types of tofu.

Can you eat raw tofu? It's not dangerous, as long as you take care to observe good hygiene. As we mention below, just like any other food, if tofu is not stored and prepared correctly, you run the risk of bacterial contamination, and you could get sick.

Tofu Nutrition

For relatively similar serving sizes, the nutrition differences between silken and firm tofu are pretty big. Silken tofu contains only about half the calories and fat, while firm tofu contains over twice the protein. The reason for this is water content.