With the price of basic necessities continuously rising, budgeting for everyday expenses is almost like an extreme sport. While the government has mandated a price freeze of pork and chicken in Metro Manila as per Philippine Daily Inquirer, it can still be challenging for Pinoys to put nutritious, well-balanced meals on the table.
In a meat-loving country like the Philippines, forgoing meat dishes is almost like giving up rice (enter horrific sound here), but there’s a cheap alternative you should consider. Tofu is a versatile meat substitute that packs a lot of nutrients. While it may have a bad reputation for its bland flavor, don’t count it out.
According to BBC Good Food, tofu is a good source of protein and contains all nine amino acids. It also contains iron, magnesium, and vitamin B1. To add to this, tofu is gluten-free, which is why it’s a favorite ingredient among a lot of healthy food recipes.
What makes tofu so great is its versatility. You can fry, steam, sautee, bake, and even grill it. There are a lot of recipes online you can try if you’re looking to try dishes that are beyond basic. If you’re looking to maximize the flavor of your tofu dishes though, you should consider investing in a tofu presser or doing it yourself manually if you have the time. That way, you’ll get to squeeze the water out of your tofu block before cooking it the way you intend to.
Above all the aforementioned benefits of buying tofu is its price. Tofu is far more affordable than meat, and it’s also very accessible. A typical tofu block in your local wet market would cost you about P10 only. What a bargain, right?!
While it can be challenging to give up old food habits, you should give tofu a chance. Not everyone can take the leap to a plant-based diet, yes, but you should still make tofu a staple in your pantry. Cooking tofu dishes even just a few times a week can make all the difference in your food expenses. As for its flavor, that’s entirely up to you. You can get creative with tofu to satisfy your taste buds. As with life, your tofu is what you make of it.
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