Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Stir Fry Tofu

All you need are some pantry basics like soy sauce, sesame oil, and fresh ginger, which can always be found in my fridge, to come up with this simple everyday meal. It's the perfect healthy and satisfying dish for the harried office worker after a long day on the job or anytime, when you're not in the mood for yet another meat dish. The beauty of the recipe is that you don't have to follow it to a "T". Just improvise as I did with whatever vegetables are lurking in your own fridge. Tasty alone or served on a bed of  plain leftover basmati rice which can be sauteed in some browned onions and a hint of light soy sauce. Super easy and another great meal in way under thirty minutes.

Ingredients:
1 block 10oz. very firm tofu cut into 1" squares
3-4  tablespoons light olive oil or canola oil
1/2 onion finely chopped
1-2 garlic cloves finely chopped 
1 inch piece fresh ginger finely chopped (about 2 tablespoons when chopped)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
3-4 tablespoons Kikkoman soy sauce (light soy sauce)
1/2 onion cut into slices
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into slices
2 celery stalks, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 cups broccoli  florets
1 zucchini, cut into 1/4 inch slices


Prep the vegetables and set aside
Heat the oil  and brown the onions. Add the garlic and ginger, saute an additional minute. Toss in the tofu and stir, scraping the pan to transfer flavour from the browned onion pieces. Add the sliced onions and cook for 3-4 minutes to brown the tofu.
 .

Pour in  the sesame oil and soy sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes, before adding the broccoli. Allow the broccoli to cook slightly, an additional minute or two.


Toss in the celery, peppers and zucchini.
Cook until al dente and serve over rice.
   


13 comments:

  1. Looks so bright and tasty as always. A perfect dish to serve on the lenten Wednesday, after shrove Tuesday to make up for all the naughty panacakes, fritelle and bombolini being consumed lol...

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  2. Ava, for a tofu dish it turned out quite tasty. Browning the onions and the tofu really helped enhance the flavour. Although I don't imagine becoming a vegetarian anytime soon(those Italian genes do prevail), it's nice to take a break from meat by replacing it with another form of protein. By the way, how is that online shopping going? Hope you had no problems with the gift certificate.

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  3. All these flavors would spiff up the tofu. And I would walk a long way for anything with sesame oil. Grand and healthy way to use up your vegetables!

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  4. Ah a great recipe to find specially since my latest stir fry flop. I love and will remember all of your tips next time. Yours looks yummy.

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  5. This is what I would love to have for dinner...Simple stir fry tofu that looks delicious. Thanks for sharing this Anna :)

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  6. Thanks Claudia, I love adding sesame to Asian influenced dishes. It really adds amazing flavour. It was a great way to use up veggies in the fridge as well as last night's leftover rice.

    Nancy, thanks for dropping by. Glad to hear the post was of some help. I think the ginger and sesame oil really make a big difference. These ingredients really enhance the dish.

    Elin, the pleasure is all mine. It's so rewarding to have blogger friends visit and get their feedback. I too love the simplicity of stir fry dishes. They are the perfect "fast food"....healthy and so delicious.

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  7. Anna, this is one healthy dish and a calorie valued meal..Perfect fit

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  8. looks yum! , i make it a fried rice adding rice to this stir fry dish.

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  9. I'm waiting for my CSN gift of the stir-fry pan. I could hardly wait to try out this easy, and yummy recipe with the tofu. I also had a tofu recipe which was grilled tofu...just cannot find it.
    Thanks for sharing, Anna!

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  10. A great tofu and veggies stir-fry! Very delicious and healthy.

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  11. Hi Anna, I finally placed my order with the gift certificate, it was a smooth transaction. It was so hard to make a decision with all the goodies available. I settled on a pro baking mat to help keep my counters clean and my dough rolling precise. Can't wait to try it out on some pie crusts and pizza doughs. Thank you again for the opportunity!

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  12. Ami, I'm happy you enjoyed the recipe. Fried rice does go well with the stir fry.

    Hi Elisabeth, I'm sure you're going to get great use out of your stir-fry pan. I too like it grilled with a teryaki marinade.

    Thanks Angie. The tofu really soaks up all the delicious flavour of the ginger, soy sauce, and the sesame oil.

    Ava, Thanks for the update. I'm so relieved that it was an easy process with no hitches. Happy baking!

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  13. Anna, this is such a gorgeous dish...this is my kind of evening meal. Love the flavors and the photos :)

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