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Recipe

Seared Tofu & Vegetables Over Brown Rice

Ingredients

Yield: Serves 4

Crispy Tofu

  • 1 block extra-firm tofu, 14 ounces, drained, cut in half horizontally
  • Paper towels
  • 2 baking sheet trays (or cutting boards or other items for pressing)
  • Olive oil spray
  • 1 cup brown rice
  • 1 lb frozen vegetables of choice, try Asian varieties
  • Fresh cilantro leaves and/or bean sprouts, optional

Asian Style Peanut Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons coconut aminos or tamari sauce or low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or ½ tablespoon tabasco sauce
  • ½ tablespoon minced ginger
  • ½ tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar or honey (optional)
  • 1 small jalapeno pepper, cut in half and seeds removed
  • For sauce: Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender. Blend until well pureed, about 1-2 minutes. Sauce will have a medium thickness. Sauce can be whisked by hand, yet be sure to mince the jalapeno finely.

Preparation

  1. Put 2-3 layers of paper towel on baking sheet. Top with tofu slabs. Cover with more layers of paper towel and then second baking sheet. Weigh down sheet with a bowl of water or heavy saucepan. Press moisture out of tofu either overnight (refrigerated) or for an hour or so.
  2. Cook brown rice in boiling water, like you would pasta. Check after 15 minutes to see if more water needs to be added or if rice is cooked through. When done, drain off any excess water.
  3. Remove tofu from pressing. Cut into cubes. Cook in skillet over medium-high heat, lightly sprayed with olive oil. Allow multiple sides of tofu to cook until crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
  4. Cook frozen vegetables in about 1 cup of water, simmering in a saucepan. Cook until hot, drain off the water and allow to cook a few more minutes in the pan, removing some of the moisture.
  5. Create final dish. Add ½ cup brown rice, ¼ of the crispy tofu cubes, 1 cup cooked vegetables and 1-2 tablespoons sauce to a bowl. Top with fresh cilantro or sprouts, if desired.
  6. Enjoy!