7 Ways With Tofu

The mild nature of tofu makes it a perfect backdrop for dishes both savory and sweet. Marinate it, tuck it into a wrap, or whip it into salad dressings, chocolate mousse, or smoothies. Firm water-packed tofu works best in savory dishes while soft silken tofu is perfect for desserts.

More terrific tofu dishes

With a little advance prep, this restaurant-style appetizer comes together in minutes. First, you'll need to steep tofu for an hour in a sweet, salty, tart marinade of Asian ingredients including lemongrass and soy sauce. Just before serving, grill and wrap in lettuce leaves.

Recipe: Vietnamese Lettuce Rolls With Spicy Grilled Tofu

More like a milkshake, this sweet treat is made with smooth silken tofu, frozen vanilla yogurt, peanut butter and honey. Try it for breakfast or after a workout since it packs a big boost of both protein and calcium. If you prefer thick smoothies, cut milk amounts in half.

Recipe: Vanilla Honey Nut Smoothie

A mustard-rosemary sauce infuses Mediterranean-style flavors into tofu that is pan-seared and wrapped in a warm tortilla with balsamic sautéed onions, homemade tapenade and sun-dried tomatoes. It all comes together quickly, but be sure to rehydrate the dried tomatoes in advance to save time.

Recipe: Zesty Tofu Wraps with Olive Tapenade

Crispy bits of pan-fried tofu and scrambled egg are the proteins in this meat-free version of the popular Thai dish. Give yourself about 25 minutes to pull it all together. If you're serving strict vegetarians, substitute vegetarian soy sauce for the Thai fish sauce.

Recipe: Vegetarian Pad Thai

Soft silken tofu makes this just about the easiest and tastiest no-cook chocolate mousse you'll ever make. Blend orange liqueur, orange zest, cocoa and sugar with the tofu, then stir in melted chocolate. To make it easy, melt the chocolate in the microwave.

Recipe: Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse à l'Orange

Dredge tofu in dark- and light-colored sesame seeds for this easy weeknight stir-fry. Asparagus and shiitake mushrooms compliment the crispy tofu, but substitute any vegetables you have on hand since the sesame tofu pairs well with just about any veggie.

Recipe: Sesame Tofu Stir-Fry over Rice

Silken tofu stands in for mayonnaise in this creamy Asian dressing that's laced with toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, and honey. Toss it with soba noodles and pre-chopped veggies for a quick weeknight meal. Or drizzle it on salads or raw veggies.

Recipe: Sesame Tofu Dressing