What to do with Tofu

[betherin]

My almost 18 month old is allergic to wheat, eggs, dairy, and peanuts. He has been going to feeding therapy for the past 6 months and has just now finally started feeding himself some finger foods. With all his allergies I thought tofu might be a healthy and simple finger food to try with him, but I have no idea how to prepare it, store it, etc. I would love any ideas you ladies may have?

[sharon]

LOVE tofu, and it was a big hit with my kiddo at that age.

One thing to know, if make sure it's organic. Corn and soy and the two most heavily chemicaled crops, so if you eat nothing else organic IMO you really want your corn and soy to be - esp. with kids.

There are brands of tofu already baked in flavoring and this is what i used to get for Ian at that age. Then all I did was cut it into cubes and he ate it up. I had to laugh when one of his daycare teachers asked me for my tofu recipe.

Then there is this recipe - herbivoracious.com/2012/05/how-to-make-tofu-really-freaking-delicious-tofu-101.html

This technique of brining it briefly before really does produce amazing results. Then my son likes to eat them just plain, or dip them in soy sauce or sweet and sour sauce or both. For me I like to mix it in with some spicy stir fried vegetables.

[sharon]

Also - edamame are Japanese soy beans. Again, you want them organic, but you can get them frozen and then just thaw a handful under running water and eat as is. That was another easy toddler food when Ian was little.

Tofurky and other vegetarian brands have a lot of great soy-based protein products. But I have no idea if they have any of the things your LO is allergic to in them. Where do you live? A co-op would be a great place to check for those.

[betherin]

Thanks Sharon! I knew you would be the one to ask.

Do you know where to buy the already flavored tofu? I bought some plain tofu at Trader Joe's this morning, but would love to give him something with more flavor.

[betherin]

We live in Crystal. Unfortunately, the local Fresh & Natural food store shut down awhile back, but I will likely need to shop at a Co-Op for some of his other foods soon too. He still only eats a handful of finger foods.

We do already buy edamame. He hasn't been interested in it yet, but I'll keep trying.

Thanks!

[sharon]

The Wedge carries the flavored tofu.

[sharon]

If you go here:

strongertogether.coop/coops/

and enter your zipcode it will tell you your closest co-op.

[ReneeW]

I cut up tofu and use it in stir-fry instead of meat--so I would serve it with any kind of yummy Asian-inspired sauce--pineapple/soy, teriyaki etc. DD2 likes quinoa, which is a staple in our house. DDs both love edamame, so I agree that it'd be great to keep offering that to him. We also like rice noodles at our house and serve that with Asian sauces. DD1 went through a stage as a toddler where she loved black beans. At one point she also loved sweet potatoes. I would steam one, and once it cooled I'd take off the peel and cut it up into toddler-friendly bite-sized chunks.

One other thing I do with tofu is kind of random but I cut up into bite-sized squares a (drained) package of extra firm tofu and spray it with olive oil, sprinkle with basil and oregano, and then top it with chopped up tomatoes and/or red bell peppers. I bake it at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes and then for the last 5 add cheese (parmesan or feta) or, in your case, a dairy-free fake cheese. I serve it over rice or quinoa.

[sharon]

Those sound delicious!

[sharon]

Chickpeas are another great finger food for protein.