If you're looking to pump up the protein in your household without breaking the bank, you can't go wrong with ALDI's Organic Extra Firm Tofu for $1.55. I’ve paid $5 or more for organic tofu, so this price is unbeatable. Sampled side by side with major brands, you’d never know it was the bargain brand.

I’ve tried many kinds of tofu. I’ve made my own tofu, visited tofu factories, taught classes on cooking with tofu, and written many articles on the subject. Growing up in the Midwest, I first had tofu at Chinese restaurants and learned to make stir-fries. In college, I found a recipe for tofu cheesecake and became obsessed with making it. ALDI's tofu reminds me of the tofu I was using then.

Price: $1.55 for 14 ounces

Why I Love It: This is an incredible deal for organic tofu, and it's such a versatile protein that I like to stock up and use it in everything from stir-fries to salad dressings.

A tofu preparation I made when I worked in restaurants was to soak slices or cubes in a soy sauce-based marinade, then bake them to make chewy slabs for sandwiches and salads or for dipping in peanut sauce.

I love using crumbled tofu to make a classic breakfast scramble, or I'll season it for tacos or use it like hamburger in spaghetti sauce. Like the cheesecake of my early days, pureeing tofu transforms it. I've made tofu hummus and pureed it into salad dressings and soups, letting its neutral nature blend in.