Tofu

METHOD

Soak. In a large bowl, let the soybeans soak in water overnight, 8 to 10 hours and changing the water at least once. After the first couple of hours soaking you can also begin to remove any skins that separate and float to the water's surface. When ready to make the tofu, drain the soy beans well.

Heat. In a large pot, bring 7.5 cups of water to a simmer over medium-high heat.

Blend. In a high-speed blender, purée the soybeans in 2 batches (or more, depending on your blender's capacity) with 3 cups of cold water for each batch, about 2 minutes per batch. Add the puréed soybean-water mixture to the pot with the simmering water. Stir constantly, bringing the soybean mixture to a gentle boil. Be careful not to heat it too rapidly, as the liquid has a tendency to boil over suddenly.

Strain. Strain the soybean-water mixture through a nut milk bag or a fine mesh sieve lined with a double layer of wet cheesecloth and into a second large pot or container, pressing out all excess liquid. Discard the soy pulp (okara) or reserve for later use. You should have about 3 quarts of soy milk.

Boil. Return the strained soy milk to the pot and bring it to a boil, stirring constantly, again being careful because it can boil over quickly. Reduce the heat and gently simmer, uncovered for about 10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat.

Coagulate. Dissolve the nigari in 1 cup of cold water or combine your 3 tablespoons of lemon juice to one cup of water. Slowly stir one-third of the mixture into the hot soy milk. Cover the pot and allow it to stand for about 3 minutes, or until the milk has separated into soft white curds.

Add half the remaining coagulate, stirring, and cover for about 3 minutes, then repeat with the remaining mixture. The soy milk should now be completely separated into curds and whey.

Pour. Pout the mixture through a clean nut milk bag or cheesecloth, squeezing out as much liquid as possible (discard the liquid). Transfer the curds to the cheesecloth-lined tofu mold, folding over the extra cheesecloth on top of the curds. Press the curds down with a 2 to 3lb weight (such as cans of beans) until the curds are firm and solid, 25 - 30 minutes.

Notes: Don't use old beans. Ideally buy beans that have a manufacture/packing date or expiry date on them, or buy from a source where you are reasonably sure of the freshness of the beans. If you over soak the beans it seems to effect how well the milk coagulates too.

*Adapted from The Complete Vegan Cookbook's - Homemade Tofu