Name: Crispy Vegetarian Tofu Stir Fry Recipe
Ingredients: Extra-Firm Tofu (1 block, 14-16 oz): The star of the show! Extra-firm tofu is crucial for achieving that crispy texture. Pressing it removes excess water, allowing it to crisp up beautifully in the pan.; Cornstarch (3 tablespoons): This is the magic ingredient for crispy tofu. Cornstarch creates a light coating that helps the tofu brown and become irresistibly crunchy.; Vegetable Oil (3 tablespoons, divided): A neutral oil like canola, avocado, or grapeseed oil is ideal for stir-frying at high heat. We’ll use it for both crisping the tofu and stir-frying the vegetables.; Broccoli Florets (1 large head): Broccoli adds a lovely texture and nutritional boost to the stir fry. Cut into bite-sized florets for even cooking.; Bell Pepper (2, any color): Bell peppers bring sweetness and vibrant color. Choose your favorite colors – red, yellow, orange, or green – or a mix for visual appeal and varied nutrients. Sliced into strips.; Carrots (2 large): Carrots provide sweetness and a satisfying crunch. Sliced thinly or julienned.; Snap Peas (1 cup): Snap peas offer a delightful sweetness and crisp-tender texture. Trim the ends before using.; Onion (1 medium): Onion forms the aromatic base of the stir fry. Sliced thinly.; Garlic (3 cloves): Garlic adds a pungent and savory flavor. Minced finely.; Ginger (1 tablespoon, fresh): Fresh ginger provides warmth and a slightly spicy kick. Grated or minced.; Soy Sauce (1/4 cup, low sodium): Soy sauce is the base of our savory stir-fry sauce, adding umami and saltiness. Low sodium is recommended to control the salt level.; Rice Vinegar (2 tablespoons): Rice vinegar adds a touch of acidity to balance the sweetness and savory notes of the sauce.; Brown Sugar (2 tablespoons): Brown sugar provides sweetness and depth of flavor to the sauce. You can adjust the amount to your preference.; Sesame Oil (1 tablespoon): Sesame oil adds a nutty and aromatic finish to the stir fry. A little goes a long way!; Red Pepper Flakes (1/2 teaspoon, optional): For a touch of heat, add red pepper flakes to the sauce. Adjust to your spice preference or omit if you prefer a milder flavor.; Sesame Seeds (for garnish, optional): Toasted sesame seeds add a beautiful visual appeal and a nutty crunch as a garnish.; Cooked Rice or Noodles (for serving): Serve your delicious stir fry over your choice of cooked rice (white, brown, or jasmine) or noodles (egg noodles, rice noodles, or lo mein).

Ingredients

Extra-Firm Tofu (1 block, 14-16 oz): The star of the show! Extra-firm tofu is crucial for achieving that crispy texture. Pressing it removes excess water, allowing it to crisp up beautifully in the pan.
Cornstarch (3 tablespoons): This is the magic ingredient for crispy tofu. Cornstarch creates a light coating that helps the tofu brown and become irresistibly crunchy.
Vegetable Oil (3 tablespoons, divided): A neutral oil like canola, avocado, or grapeseed oil is ideal for stir-frying at high heat. We’ll use it for both crisping the tofu and stir-frying the vegetables.
Broccoli Florets (1 large head): Broccoli adds a lovely texture and nutritional boost to the stir fry. Cut into bite-sized florets for even cooking.
Bell Pepper (2, any color): Bell peppers bring sweetness and vibrant color. Choose your favorite colors – red, yellow, orange, or green – or a mix for visual appeal and varied nutrients. Sliced into strips.
Carrots (2 large): Carrots provide sweetness and a satisfying crunch. Sliced thinly or julienned.
Snap Peas (1 cup): Snap peas offer a delightful sweetness and crisp-tender texture. Trim the ends before using.
Onion (1 medium): Onion forms the aromatic base of the stir fry. Sliced thinly.
Garlic (3 cloves): Garlic adds a pungent and savory flavor. Minced finely.
Ginger (1 tablespoon, fresh): Fresh ginger provides warmth and a slightly spicy kick. Grated or minced.
Soy Sauce (1/4 cup, low sodium): Soy sauce is the base of our savory stir-fry sauce, adding umami and saltiness. Low sodium is recommended to control the salt level.
Rice Vinegar (2 tablespoons): Rice vinegar adds a touch of acidity to balance the sweetness and savory notes of the sauce.
Brown Sugar (2 tablespoons): Brown sugar provides sweetness and depth of flavor to the sauce. You can adjust the amount to your preference.
Sesame Oil (1 tablespoon): Sesame oil adds a nutty and aromatic finish to the stir fry. A little goes a long way!
Red Pepper Flakes (1/2 teaspoon, optional): For a touch of heat, add red pepper flakes to the sauce. Adjust to your spice preference or omit if you prefer a milder flavor.
Sesame Seeds (for garnish, optional): Toasted sesame seeds add a beautiful visual appeal and a nutty crunch as a garnish.
Cooked Rice or Noodles (for serving): Serve your delicious stir fry over your choice of cooked rice (white, brown, or jasmine) or noodles (egg noodles, rice noodles, or lo mein).

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Instructions

Press the Tofu: Remove the tofu from its packaging and drain off the excess water. Wrap the tofu block in several layers of paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Place a heavy object on top of the tofu (like a cast iron skillet or a few cookbooks) and press for at least 30 minutes, or preferably an hour. This step is crucial for removing excess water and ensuring crispy tofu. The longer you press, the crispier it will become.
Prepare the Tofu: Once the tofu is pressed, remove the paper towels and cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes, about 1-inch in size. Place the tofu cubes in a medium bowl.
Coat the Tofu: Sprinkle the cornstarch over the tofu cubes. Gently toss the tofu to evenly coat all sides with the cornstarch. Ensure every piece is lightly dusted for maximum crispiness.
Crisp the Tofu: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the cornstarch-coated tofu cubes in a single layer (work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan). Cook the tofu for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy on all sides. Resist the urge to stir too often; allowing the tofu to sit undisturbed for a few minutes per side helps it develop a crispy crust. Remove the crispy tofu from the skillet and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil and maintain crispness.
Prepare the Vegetables: While the tofu is crisping, prepare your vegetables. Wash and chop the broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, snap peas, and onion as described in the ingredients list. Mince the garlic and ginger. Having all your vegetables prepped and ready to go will make the stir-frying process quick and efficient.
Stir-Fry the Aromatics: In the same skillet or wok (no need to wipe it clean), add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Heat over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, until softened and slightly translucent. Add the minced garlic and ginger and stir-fry for another minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic and ginger; stir frequently and reduce heat if necessary.
Stir-Fry the Vegetables: Add the broccoli florets, bell pepper strips, and carrot slices to the skillet. Stir-fry for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are tender-crisp. They should be cooked through but still retain a slight bite. Add the snap peas in the last 2-3 minutes of stir-frying, as they cook quickly.
Make the Stir-Fry Sauce: While the vegetables are stir-frying, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a small bowl. Ensure the brown sugar is fully dissolved. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding a little more soy sauce for saltiness, rice vinegar for acidity, or brown sugar for sweetness, according to your preference.
Combine Everything: Pour the stir-fry sauce over the vegetables in the skillet. Stir well to coat all the vegetables evenly with the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes, until it slightly thickens and glazes the vegetables.
Add the Crispy Tofu: Gently fold in the crispy tofu to the skillet with the vegetables and sauce. Toss to combine and ensure the tofu is coated in the delicious stir-fry sauce. Heat through for another minute or two.
Serve and Garnish: Remove the Crispy Vegetarian Tofu Stir Fry from the heat. Serve immediately over cooked rice or noodles. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds, if desired. Enjoy your flavorful and satisfying vegetarian meal!

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 550
Fat: 25g
Protein: 25g