With the popularity of tofu and other soy products on the rise, you no longer need to go to a health food store or an Oriental market in order to make your purchase. Most major grocery stores now stock tofu somewhere near their fresh vegetables. Silken tofu is usually in a box or foil, whereas firm tofu is usually in a tub-like container with water. Silken Tofu is more difficult to cook with. Silken tofu is used in soups and salads, and for shakes and deserts.
Firm tofu is easier to work with in stirfry's and grilling.
The first step to preparing firm tofu is to drain the water out of the tub. Next, you will find it most useful to wrap the tofu up in paper towels. Let this sit for at least an hour, or until the paper towels are soaked through. This will make the tofu much easier to cut and less watery, and therefore more flavorful. Most people are initiated into tofu by using it in a stirfry.