Also known as soybean curd, bean curd and bean cake, tofu is made from soybeans. The soybeans are soaked, cooked, ground and then mixed with a curdling agent. The resulting curds are drained and pressed into cakes, which are tofu. It is very mildly flavored with a taste similar to a very mild cheese. Because it is so mild, tofu easily absorbs the flavors of the herbs, spices and foods it is cooked with.
Refrigerate tofu for no more than a week. It can be frozen up to 3 months, but freezing will change the texture, making it a little chewier.