You know it's funny, it's easy to imagine how some foods were discovered ? for example, popcorn must surely have come from corn kernels accidentally dropped in the embers of a fire. Sandwiches could have been an early answer to fast food on the go, and how about bread and Jello? A way to make something out of nothing?

Now I'm not pretending that these are historical facts, but it is easy to imagine how many of the things we eat today came into being.

But how on earth do you think people came up with tofu? once they'd made it, did it become so popular?

Every time I mention tofu in a conversation, someone makes a face! And I don't blame them ... it took me about five years to pluck up the courage to try it and then I absolutely hated it! Eat white, spongy, flavourless goo ? out of , are you kidding me?

But then I learned something. Just as with wine, chocolate, movies and ? sorry, guys ? men, tofu can be very, very good, or very, very bad!

Now at the tender age of 27, the one bit of wisdom I have, is that when it comes to wine, chocolate, movies and men, the secret is in the ingredients ? superior grapes, high cocoa content, a good director, a great sense of humour ... you get the picture I'm sure!

However when it comes to tofu, I'm not sure it's the ingredients that count ? a soybean's a soybean as far as I know. What seems to be crucial is how it's prepared.

Whatever you do ? don't just buy a block of tofu and throw it in with some pasta, especially if this is your first time! Instead try following the recipe below ? this is the dish that changed my opinion and it even gets the seal of approval from my husband. Give it a try over the weekend ? tofu is an excellent source of vegetarian and vegan protein. It's also rich in naturally occurring isoflavones, which in turn are rich in phyto-oestrogens.

Recent studies suggest that phyto-oestrogens can help to reduce the risk of hormone related cancers such as breast and prostate cancer.

They may also help to reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.

But before I move onto the recipe I just thought I'd set the record straight.

Writing this column made me curious, so I did a little investigation into the history of popcorn!

Now although no one seems to know exactly how it was discovered, it has been around for centuries.

According to www.popcorn.org, in 1519, it was Cortes that first saw popcorn when he invaded Mexico and discovered the Aztecs.

Popcorn was not only an important food for the Aztec Indians, but they also used it as decoration for ceremonial headdresses, necklaces and ornaments.

I also began researching the origins of the sandwich but I unearthed a huge debate between the English and the French and gave up!

If any of you know the definitive answer, please let me know...

Carrot and Tofu Cakes

Ingredients:

1 small red pepper, finely chopped

200g (7oz) firm tofu, mashed

125g (4 ? oz) carrots, peeled and finely grated

50g (2oz) whole wheat breadcrumbs

25g (1oz) ground almonds

1 small red onion, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, crushed and finely chopped

1 handful fresh parsley, finely chopped

1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce

black pepper to taste

1 tbsp sesame seeds

1. Mix together the peppers, tofu, carrots, breadcrumbs, ground almonds, red onion, garlic and parsley.

2. Stir in the soy sauce and black pepper

3. Shape mixture into 4 cakes and flatten

4. Coat each side with sesame seeds

5. Grill (on high) for 10 minutes on each side, or bake for 20 minutes at 375 F, turning once

6. Serve with a large green salad and enjoy!

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