PLANT BASED EATS: CRISPY PEANUT TOFU STIR-FRY
Often when you decide to consciously increase your intake of plant-based meals, it can seem daunting when you are accustomed to a particular routine of cooking that includes meat as the main protein source. By trying out simple, delicious and healthy plant-based recipes, it makes the process much less daunting and makes it easier to reach your goal of consuming less meat.
SCIENCE-BACKED BENEFITS OF A PLANT-BASED DIET
Improve heart health and reduce cholesterol levels [1]
Reduce risk of developing type 2 diabetes [2]
Maintain a healthy weight [3]
Improve diversity of ‘good’ bacteria in the gut [4]
CRISPY PEANUT TOFU STIR-FRY RECIPE
GLUTEN FREE | DAIRY FREE | VEGAN OPTION
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
FOR TOFU SAUCE
2 tbsp natural creamy peanut butter (Mayver’s is a great brand)
2 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp tamari
1 tsp raw honey, maple syrup or rice malt syrup
1 tsp chili paste
1 tsp garlic paste
FOR STIR-FRY
2 dashes tamari
2 dashes sesame oil
2 cups brown rice
500g organic, firm tofu
2 medium carrots, julienned
2 cups snow peas
2 medium spring onions, white and green parts separated and chopped
1 medium red capsicum, cut into strips
1/4 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
1/4 cup fried shallots
METHOD
Cook rice in either rice cooker or in a pot. Once cooked transfer rice evenly into to 4 serving bowls.
Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees C. Line baking tray with baking paper.
Slice tofu into roughly 2 cm cubes and arrange on baking tray in a single layer with space between each piece. Bake for 20-25 minutes to dry and firm the tofu.
Meanwhile, prepare the sauce by adding peanut butter, tamari, sesame oil, honey/maple syrup, chili and garlic to a medium mixing bowl. Whisk until completely combined.
Add baked tofu to the peanut sauce and toss to coat. Let marinate for 10-15 minutes to saturate the tofu and infuse the flavor.
Heat a large pan over medium heat. Once hot, add 2 dashes of sesame oil and 2 dashes of tamari. Add snow peas, carrots, spring onions and capsicum. Stir and sauté, stirring occasionally, for about 5-8 minutes until slightly tender.
Add the marinated tofu to the pan with the sauce. Cook, stirring frequently for about 3 minutes. The sauce will caramelise and may stick to the pan – this is normal and adds more flavor to the dish. Stir with spatula, scraping up any caramelised bits.
Transfer pan contents evenly to each serving bowl. Top each bowl with a sprinkle of peanuts and fried shallots.