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SMART SHOPPING: Buying Tofu

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Tofu is made from the curds of soy milk. Although freshly made tofu is common across the Pacific, in the United States tofu is typically sold in refrigerated blocks packed in water. Tofu is available in a variety of textures, including silken, soft, medium-firm, firm, and extra-firm. We prefer to use extra-firm in our slow-cooker dishes because it holds its shape well when cooked for an extended period of time. Tofu is perishable and should be kept well chilled. If you want to keep an opened package of tofu fresh for several days, cover the tofu with fresh water in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator, changing the water daily. Any hint of sourness means the tofu is past its prime (we prefer to use it within a few days of opening).