If you would like to get some great vegetatian recipes (that include tofu), try the new e-cookbook "Good Cooking Central Cookbook"

Some of the vegetarian recipes you may enjoy include:

* Curry Tofu

* Tofu Mac 'n Cheese

* Chocolate Vegetable Cake with Cream Cheese/Tofu Icing

* Sauteed Bean Sprouts

* Tofu Potato Casserole

There are many other recipes included in this book (over 120 recipes) that your family will love...how about Cabbage Rolls, Dilled Salmon or Pumpkin Chicken Soup? Or if you are big on desserts, try Apple-Rhubarb Crunch Pie or Coffee Layer Cake.

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Tofu is one of those healthy foods that people know too little about. Many people shout "Yuck!" at the simple mention of tofu, but often that is because they haven't even tried it. Tofu can be quite tasty, and is very versatile. It come in a number of different forms and can be cooked in a variety of ways. When included, in many dishes people don't even know there is tofu in there.

Basically, tofu is bean curd, made in a similar process to that of making cheese from milk. Tofu is of Chinese origin and made by coagulating soy milk and pressing the resulting curds into block form. The soy milk is made when the soy beans are soaked, crushed and heated to produce the soy milk to which a coagulating agent such as calcium sulphate or calcium chloride is added.

Tofu is usually used as a substitute for meat in a vegetarian diet because it is relatively high in protein. The protein in about 1/2 cup of soy beans (what tofu is made of) is the same as that in 5 oz. of steak. Firm tofu is higher in protein, fats and calcium than the other varieties.

Tofu is low in calories, contains beneficial amounts of iron and has no cholesterol. , Tofu may also be high in calcium and magnesium, depending on the coagulant used in manufacturing. Health claims also say that soy protein may actually reduce cholesterol and the risk of heart disease because of their high content of polyunsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals and low content of saturated fat. It is also believed that because tofu contains a lot of calcium and isoflavones, it contributes to the prevention of osteoporosis. Isoflavones also helps lower the rates of breast and prostrate cancer and may reduce menopausal symptoms including mood swings and hot flushes.

You can find tofu in supermarkets everywhere, usually by the produce department next to the healthy vegetables. It is usually sold in blocks packaged in water, as stated, in various forms. There is silken tofu, which has a soft and creamy texture, and you can also find it in varying firmer varieties. There are also variations of tofu enhanced with spices and herbs and also ones smoked or marinated.

Tofu itself is fairly bland tasting but it takes on the flavors of the other ingredients in a recipe. Cooking with tofu can be a lot of fun as it can be included in many forms of cooking. Firm varieties of tofu can be marinated, fried, stir-fried, deep-fried, sautéed, or diced, or even added to salads and casseroles. The creamy silken tofu can be used in dips, spreads, sauces, sweet dishes, milkshakes, or even used in cake icings or cheesecakes. There is also a dried variety, which is not usually eaten raw, but stewed in a mixture of soy sauce and spices, or typically can be served sliced thinly with chopped green onions or meat for added flavor. Tofu can also be pickled to flavor stir-fried or braised vegetable dishes, and can also be eaten as a condiment with rice.

Tofu should be refrigerated and kept in the water it is packaged in until used. Check the best before dates on the packaging, but once you open the package the tofu should stay good for two to four days. Discard the tofu if the packaged becomes puffed out or smells sour when opened. Tofu should last for about a week if fresh (if you change the water it is stored in regularly) or it can be frozen for up to three months. Freezing tofu will change it texture, however, making it slightly chewier and having a texture similar to chicken.

If the above has you interested in tofu, try the following simple recipe as an introduction into how great tasting tofu can be.

Fruit Tofu Shakes

BANANA:

2 ripe bananas

½ pkg. soft tofu

1 cup vanilla ice cream

1 tsp. vanilla

Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Serve cold.

STRAWBERRY:

1 cup cleaned & hulled fresh strawberries (or use frozen fruit)

½ pkg. soft tofu

1 cup vanilla ice cream

1 tsp. vanilla

2 TBSP. sugar

Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Serve cold.

Try this tofu recipe on your kids. I guarantee that they will love it as much as my kids did and they won't even know there was tofu in the shakes. This is a great way to get extra protein and healthy food into finicky kids.