Fried Tokwa (Fried Soybean Curd)

?Tokwa? is the Philippine term for tofu. A soft cheese-like food made from soybeans and produced by curdling soya milk with a coagulant or curdling agent. The curds are then pressed into a solid block. While tofu is a bland tasting product on its own, it has the natural ability to easily absorbs the flavors of other ingredients such as from spices and marinades. In recipes, it acts like a sponge and will easily soak up any flavor that is added into it. So its taste is generally dependent on the combined taste of all the other ingredients. The rule is: if you can make a tasty sauce or soup, then you can make a tasty tofu dish.

Often used as a meat substitute in vegetarian dishes, tofu is rich in high-quality protein and calcium. It is a good source of soy protein and isoflavones, both of which confer promising health benefits. It is also a good source of B-vitamins and iron. While 50 percent of the calories in tofu come from fat, a 4-ounce serving of tofu contains just 6 grams of fat. Thus, it is low in saturated fat and contains no cholesterol. Tofu is also very low in sodium, making it a perfect food for people on sodium-restricted diets.