MAKING TOFU FROM SOY MILK RECIPES

Steps:

• Boil the soy milk for 5 minutes and then let it cool to 160-175°F (70-80°C) degrees.
• If you are making soy milk using a soy milk maker, there is no need to boil the milk again.
• Dissolve the coagulant of your choice in a cup of warm water--do not let it set too long!
• Mix the water and coagulant mixture into the hot soy milk. Gently stir the milk but do not over mix. Allow the mixture to sit undisturbed for 15-25 minutes.
• While the mixture sits, small white curds will separate from amber colored liquid.
• Once the process is complete, transfer the curds into a molding container lined with cheesecloth or a similar fabric. Fold the fabric over the curds and place a small weight on top to begin pressing out the liquid. Allow the mixture to be pressed by the weight for 20-30 minutes or until it holds together. Remove the block of tofu from the mold.
• If you don't plan to consume the tofu the same day that you make it, store it in a container filled with cold water in the refrigerator. Change this soaking water daily until you consume your tofu.

Steps:

• Combine the water and lemon juice.
• Separately, heat the soymilk to 160F (71C) in a large pot. Be sure to stir constantly to keep the soymilk from burning on the bottom. If you don't have a thermometer, you can bring it just to a boil, then remove from heat and stir for a minute or two to cool.
• Remove the soymilk from heat and immediately stir half of the lemon mixture into the soymilk for 1 or 2 minutes with a wooden spoon or spatula. STOP immediately if the milk starts to thicken to avoid breaking the curds into small bits.
• Stand the spoon or spatula straight down into the milk to cause the spinning motion of the milk to stop.
• Add the rest of the lemon mixture and stir the spatula in a back and forth motion or a figure eight motion. The intent is to mix the lemon juice coagulant in thoroughly but gently. HOWEVER if the soymilk has already turned into solid curds, just spoon the lemon mixture over top.
• After a minute, the soymilk should start to separate and curds will begin to form. Stop stirring as soon as you see curds forming and cover the pot with a lid.
• Let sit for 15 minutes.
• Afterwards, the soymilk will have completely separated into bits of soybean curd and liquid. The liquid should be clear and yellowish. If it is still milky looking, it has not completely curdled. In that case, add a few drops of lemon juice to the milky liquid and stir gently.
• If your soy milk has not completely coagulated and you already tried adding a few more drops of lemon juice, you may need to heat up your soy milk again. Avoiding to heat up too quickly, use medium heat and get it back up to 160°F. Then turn off the heat, cover and it should finish coagulating. If that doesn't work, the problem may be your soy milk is not properly made for tofu-making.
• Prepare a colander or sieve lined with a few layers of cheesecloth over a bowl, or use a steamer pot.
• Scoop some soy curds with your slotted spoon or similar ladle and let excess water drain away before transferring to the cheesecloth.
• Carefully pull up the sides of the cloth to allow most of the water to drain out. Gather the sides of the cloth and twist at the top to squeeze out more water. *Wait a few minutes if the bundle is too hot to handle**
• Untwist the cloth and re-wrap the curds so that it forms a loaf shape.
• With the curds securely wrapped in the cheesecloth, place a couple pounds of weight on top. You want to press the curds evenly to force the water out. A cutting board with a few books on top would work well. Alternatively, use a tofu press device.
• Let sit for 15 to 30 minutes (longer time for firmer tofu)
• Place the wrapped tofu in a bowl of ice-cold water. This will help the tofu firm up further. After a few minutes, you can unwrap the tofu. Then let it sit in the water until completely chilled through. Afterwards, it's ready to use!
• Store fresh tofu in cold water, cover with a lid and refrigerate. Use as soon as possible; store for up to 5 days.
• If you're storing in the freezer, you don't need to keep it swimming in water. Just put in a freezer bag, squeeze out excess air and freeze. The texture will change to more spongy. Keep for up to 2 months.