Kung Pao Tofu
Salty, sweet and spicy kung pao tofu. This easy, high-protein meal is ready in 40 minutes and perfect for weeknight dinners.
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Total Time40 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Diet: Vegan
Servings: 4
Calories: 242kcal
For the Tofu:
- 16 ounces Extra Firm Tofu (450g)
- 1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil
For the Kung Pao Sauce:
- 1 Tablespoon Rice Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Hoisin Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup
- 1 teaspoon Cornstarch
For the Veggies:
- 1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil
- 5 Dried Red Chilies
- 1 teaspoon Crushed Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Minced Ginger
- 1 Medium Red Bell Pepper Sliced
- ⅓ cup Green Onions Chopped
- ¼ cup Roasted Salted Peanuts (37g)
Press the tofu for 20 minutes. Either use a tofu press or place the tofu on a plate, with another plate on top of it and then place something heavy on top, like a heavy pot.
While the tofu is pressing, chop up the red bell pepper and green onions and add all the sauce ingredients to a measuring jug and whisk them together.
When the tofu is pressed, slice it into cubes. Heat sesame oil in a frying pan or skillet and then add the tofu cubes and fry, gently turning over the tofu until it's nicely browned. Remove the tofu from the pan.
To the pan add sesame oil and dried chilies and fry for 2 minutes. Then add the crushed garlic, minced ginger, red bell pepper, chopped green onions and peanuts. Stir fry for 2 minutes.
Add the tofu back to the pan, pour over the sauce and stir fry until the sauce has thickened.
Serve over basmati rice topped with a sprinkle of green onions.
- Chilies - you can remove the whole chilies before serving if you want to avoid a very spicy surprise while eating this meal. If you like eating whole spicy chilies then leave them in.
- Green onions - are also called spring onions, salad onions or scallions.
- Gluten free - use a gluten-free soy sauce or switch it for tamari if you'd like this meal to be gluten-free. Also make sure your hoisin sauce is gluten free.
- Storing - keep leftovers stored in the fridge (covered) for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove.
- Nutritional information is for 1 serve of 4 excluding rice.
Serving: 1Serve | Calories: 242kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 687mg | Potassium: 553mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1550IU | Vitamin C: 121mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 3mg