Monday, August 2, 2010

Broccoli Cashew Teriyaki Tofu Stir-Fry


I know I have a lot of tofu recipes on here, a couple for seitan and none for tempeh. The reason for that is because tofu is the most accessible and I like it. I really like seitan but it does require that extra step of making it before using it in something. And tempeh, oh tempeh. For years I wanted to try it but was scared of it because I didn't know how to cook it or what to do with it. I would buy a package and it would sit in my freezer for a year then I would throw it away and buy another package and that package would sit in my freezer for another year. Well finally I took charge and found a sweet and sour tempeh recipe in The Vegan Table. I was wary but excited. I took my first bite, and it was not good. I tried eating a few more pieces but I really really didn't like it. I ended up picking all the tempeh out and replacing it with tofu. Maybe I just need to get used to the flavour like with tofu (though I never hated tofu). I'd be willing to try tempeh again in a different form, maybe tempeh bacon, but for now I'm sticking to tofu and seitan.


All this to say I've found yet another amazing tofu recipe, not surprisingly from Eat, Drink & Be Vegan. I'm not sure that I'd say it's an authentic teriyaki sauce, but it's delicious and so flavourful and that's what's important! I wouldn't change a thing about this recipe and have already made it several times.

If this sounds good, you might also like:
Salt & Pepper Tofu
Pad Thai
Tofu and Broccolini in Peanut Sauce
Szechuan Tofu Triangles in Triple Pepper Sauce

Broccoli Cashew Teriyaki Tofu Stir-Fry
Adapted from Eat, Drink & Be Vegan

Tofu
12 oz (350 g) firm or extra firm tofu, cubed 1/2-3/4 inch thick
1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
1 1/2 tbsp rice wine vinegar

Teriyaki Sauce
1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup water
3 1/2 tbsp honey or agave nectar
1 1/2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp blackstrap molasses
6 medium cloves garlic, minced
2 1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger
1 tbsp cornstarch

Stir-Fry
1 tbsp oil
4 1/2-5 cups broccoli (florets and stalks), chopped (about 1/2 lb/225 g)
2 tsp water
1 medium large red, yellow or orange bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup raw cashews
1/2 cup green onions, sliced

In a shallow dish, add tofu. Pour soy sauce and vinegar over tofu and marinate for 10 minutes or longer (flip tofu at least once while marinating). Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk all ingredients for teriyaki sauce until cornstarch is dissolved (or put it in a blender to puree).

In a large frying pan or wok on high, heat 1/2 tbsp oil. Add tofu and saute for 4-5 minutes, then turn over to saute for another 3-4 minutes, utnil lightly brown on each side. Remove from pan and set aside. Reduce heat to medium, add another 1/2 tbsp oil to wok, and add broccoli and water. Toss, cover and cook for 4-5 minutes, until broccoli turns bright green, then add bell peppers and saute uncovered for another 1-2 minutes. Add teriyaki sauce and increase heat to high. Toss to coat, and let sauce come to a slow boil. As soon as sauce has reached a slow boil and has thickened, add tofu, cashews and green onions, and toss to combine. Remove pan from heat and serve immediately.

23 comments:

Sarah S. said...

I love all the bite-sized goodness in this dish, and also the homemade sauce. I don't have enough homemade stir fry recipes in my arsenal.

Sorry to hear about your disappointing tempeh experience. Did it involve steaming the tempeh first? This removes the bitter flavor. I have a hot wing recipe on my page that I recommend, it never disappoints!

teresacooks said...

If I can ever stop craving and eating Matt's delicious tofu I'll try this. If you want to like tempeh (and I do, but in a kind of limited context) try Isa Chandra Moskowitz's tempeh bacon recipe. . . I could eat that stuff all day long. I also have a great recipe for tempeh taco's that both my husband and littlest son will eat and ask for leftovers the next day.

Joanne said...

Tempeh is DEFINITELY an acquired taste and I love it, but I could see why not everyone would. This is one awesome stir fry! Packed with so much flavor, you just can't go wrong.

Anonymous said...

If you want to try tempeh again here's a tip for you. Boil or steam the tempeh for 15 minutes before using it. It helps remove some of the bitterness. I hated tempeh the first few times I tried it.

Johanna GGG said...

I understand - tofu is just so lovely and tempeh can be pasty and have a strong flavour - so here is one of my favourite tempeh recipes - it just seems better with tempeh than tofu whereas often I prefer tofu - and I think tofu would be great with this teriyaki sauce

Johanna GGG said...

oops forgot to give the recipe - it is based on a chicken pie and my housemate vegetarianised it and made it often http://gggiraffe.blogspot.com/2008/03/revolutionary-pot-pies.html

Dana said...

I've probably asked you this before, but did you steam the tempeh first? That is a crucial step that isn't always mentioned in recipes. It takes away the bitter flavor. I like tofu better than tempeh but when it is made right I do like tempeh. And it's higher in protein than tofu.

I went out for veg Thai with a friend last night and we got a stir fry with cashews and I couldn't believe how good it was! Nice job here.

Cookie baker Lynn said...

That looks really tasty. The cashews throw it over the top!

jodye @ 'scend food said...

You're not alone here; I've never been able to get into tempeh, although I have only tried it a few times. I've given up on it al together! Your stir fry does look delicious though!

Morgan@LittleHouseofVeggies said...

You have to try tempeh my way. It is on my blog and yu saute in a pan with a delicious marinade of soy sauce water, garlic and ginger. Sooooo good! ALso, steaming it first removes fome of the biteer like flavor for sure! Gotta give it another go though, its my favorite! This meal looks greaat!!!

eatme_delicious said...

Thank you so much everyone for all of your tips and recipe suggestions for tempeh! I did steam the tempeh, I think for 10 minutes? Maybe it wasn't long enough. I will check out the recipes you all recommended when I'm feeling brave!

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...

Mm tofu stirfries are the best in my opinion. And I love the crunch from nuts. This looks fabulous :).

Neomi said...

It's funny to hear about your experience with Tempe, I'm the same, I had a couple of not pleasant experiences and now just use tofu. I see how much people love it and wonder if I did something wrong too. I think I used it in a bean stew so it was probably cooked enough but maybe not?... I'll be interested to hear if you ever find a good recipe that converts you, maybe then I'll be brave enough to try again too.

LOVE your blog by the way, and my 3yo really likes to look at Abby's photos! she's a very cute cat!

Lauren said...

Thank you for this recipe! I made this dish tonight, and my husband and I both really liked it. I do like spicy dishes, so in the future, I will probably add red pepper flakes or some hot sauce, but I will definitely be making it again! I just recently found your site and really like it. I too have had not-so-great experiences with tempeh (even when steamed), but I will try some of the recipes recommended in the other comments. Thanks!

eatme_delicious said...

Neomi: Hopefully one of us finds a tempeh recipe that converts us! Thanks for the kind words about my blog and I'm glad your 3 year old likes the Abby photos. :)

Lauren: Glad you liked it! Hope you have better luck with one of the recommended tempeh recipes.

Hannah said...

Oh I love cashews in main dishes! Far too people use them as anything more than just snacks.

Eat more avocados said...

Another stellar recipe! Tried this one tonight - and it was awesome. My 3-year old loved it (minus the peppers & green onions, of course). Nice and light, super tasty. However, as paneer cheese is more easily available here than tofu, I substituted it - and it was super zippy! Thanks again.

eatme_delicious said...

eat more avocados: So happy to hear you liked this one too! Paneer cheese sounds like a delicious sub for tofu. :)

Hannah said...

The sauce is amazing!

Anonymous said...

What a great resource!

Downtown Mama said...

This is SO delicious. Honestly ridiculously easy and so tasty. My two year old loves it too. Definitely adding to my faves!

Downtown Mama said...

This is sooo amazing! Easy, fast and ridiculously delicious. My 2 year old loves it too!!

Unknown said...

stir fried veggies with tofu is my ultimate favorite thing to make. I've never made my own teriyaki sauce... that is going on the to-do list!