Hot And Sour Soup

Ni hao! My sweet friend, are you up for a hot and sour soup? Do you want to know the recipe's special recipe? It's no other than tofu! I know it sounds very Chinese and all, but do you know anything else about tofu aside from being Chinese? I'll bring the world of tofu to light, right before your very eyes! Get ready for a toFULL of information. *winks*

Tofu is also known as bean curd. It is a food made by curdling soy milk and then pressing the resulting curds into soft white blocks. Tofu is soft or firm and has a subtle flavor. It is often seasoned and marinated to suit the dish. According to Wikipedia, this food is also famous in Southeast Asian cuisines. It has many varieties, and this includes �fresh tofu and tofu that has been processed in some way.�

According to Jo Lewin, a nutritional therapist, tofu comes from China. According to some legends, tofu is discovered about 2000 years ago by a Chinese cook who accidentally coagulated soy milk when he added nigari seaweed. It is then introduced to Japan in the eighth century. In there, tofu is originally called Okabe. �Its modern name did not come into use until 1400,� says Lewin. �By the 1960s, interest in healthy eating brought tofu to Western nations. Since that time, countless research has demonstrated the many benefits that soya and tofu can provide,� she added.

Since she mentioned healthy eating and benefits, let us find out what tofu can contribute to our health. Still according to Lewin, Tofu is a good source of protein. It contains all eight essential amino acids. Tofu can also be an excellent source of iron and calcium and the minerals manganese, selenium and phosphorous. Our body needs magnesium, copper, zinc, and vitamin B1 too, and tofu can give you all that. �Tofu is an excellent food from a nutritional and health perspective. It is thought to provide the same sort of protection against cancer and heart disease as soya beans.�

This is worth having this wonderful food as a part of our diet. So, wait no more. *winks* Now it is time for you to enjoy!

The link to the recipe is found on the "Rasa Malaysia" website below.