Vegan Tofu Stir Fry Recipe
Hi there food adventurers! Parents are you looking to have the delicious taste of ordering in, but want healthier version that you can be happy to serve your kids? Although, this may seem difficult to do there is an option our Vegan Tofu Stir Fry recipe. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for any weeknight meal and additionally will please any kid!
Firstly, this dish is the perfect opportunity to cook with your kids as there are many kid friendly tasks. Secondly, this dish is packed with flavor and color, which any kid can appreciate. Lastly, this recipe is versatile and although this is a Vegan Tofu Stir Fry recipe it can easily accommodate any protein substitution or addition: chicken, shrimp, or beef.
Origins of the Stir Fry Cooking Method
China is the origin and destination of this flavor adventure as stir fry is a technique from over 2,000 years. Although, this method is old it is a very popular method of cooking small pieces of meat, vegetables, and/or sometimes noodles in a wok. Stir-frying is a method that quickly cooks food while retaining its crunchy texture, flavor, and nutritional value. Additionally, stir-frying conserves energy by cooking small, bite-sized pieces of food quickly over high heat. This technique also allowed the cook to create a variety of dishes inlcuding this tasty Vegan Tofu Stir Fry recipe.
Learning about foods includes learning new words like “chao”, which translates to either “stir-fry” or “to fry with rapid movement.” Stir-frying involves cooking food over high heat and continuously stirring promotes even cooking and additionally prevents burning. The quick and easy method is perfect for both professional chefs and busy parents alike. Stir-fry is now a popular technique in cuisines around the world, including Thai, Japanese, and Korean cuisine. Although, this Vegan Tofu Stir Fry is the origin recipe for you the variations are endless!
Guide to Cooking a quick and easy Stir Fry
Cooking with Kids: Kids Friendly Steps when creating Vegan Tofu Stir Fry
Although cooking with kids is great and teaches valuable life skills, unless the kids are older, let the parents handle the actual cooking here. The heat when cooking here is hot, but kids have can practice those knife skills prepping, so that said this dish gets a Kid Effort Score of 2 out of 5. There are ingredients abound in this Vegan Tofu Stir Fry that are perfect for chopping with kid safe knives: peppers, onions, and of course tofu!
Attention Parents Cooking with Kids!
Vegan Tofu Stir Fry
Equipment
- 1 Wok (or Frying Pan)
- 1 Wooden Spoon
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Kid Safe Knife
Ingredients
- 1 Block Extra Firm Tofu, Cut into Cubes Drained and patted dry
- 1 Each Red Bell Pepper, Sliced
- 1 Each Orange Bell Pepper, Sliced
- 1 Each Yellow Bell Pepper, Sliced
- 1 Cup Broccoli Florets
- 1 Can Sliced Water Chestnuts
- 1 Each Onion, Sliced
- 3 Cloves Garlic, Minced
- 2 Tbsp Neutral High Heat Oil (Sesame, Canola, or Avocado)
- To Taste Salt and Pepper
- 1 tsp Cornstarch
- 1/4 Cup Oyster Sauce (Hoisin works too)
- 1 tsp Chinese Five Spice
- 1 tsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the tofu to the pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5-7 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Remove the tofu from the pan and set it aside.
- Add additional oil if pan is too dry after tofu is removed
- In the same pan, add the sliced onions and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the onions are translucent.
- Add the sliced bell peppers, broccoli florets, and water chestnuts to the pan. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables are tender but still slightly crispy.
- Mix the cornstarch, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and Chinese five spice together in a small bowl.
- Pour the sauce into the pan with the vegetables and stir to coat the vegetables evenly.
- Add the tofu back into the pan and toss everything together until the tofu is coated in the sauce.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the stir-fry and serve with rice or noodles
