Vegetable Stir-Fry With Tofu

Chef Tweaker's Note:

Recipe from "8 Weeks to Optimal Health" by Dr. Andrew Weil Posted here for safekeeping. Cooking and prep times are approximate. Dr Weil's note: Baked, pressed tofu is available refrigerated in health-food stores and Asian grocery stores. ETA: I made this tonight. Sorry, I didn't time the prep. Lots of chopping of course. I used PAM instead of oil in my well-seasoned cast-iron skillet and didn't miss it. I found the flavoring mixture tasty but it stayed runny. You could either add it earlier in the stir-frying to see if it cooks down or add some cornstarch. I got 4 generous servings out of it and served it with Tom Ka (thai) soup and jasmine rice.

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 3

• 1 lb baked tofu , pressed
• 8 cups vegetables (options include onions, carrots, peppers, mushrooms, celery, broccoli, asparagus and mung-bean sprou)
• 1 tablespoon canola oil

Flavoring Mixture

• ¼ cup natural soy sauce
• 2 garlic cloves , mashed
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon gingerroot , finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon dark-roasted sesame oil

Directions:

1. Slice the tofu into strips and arrange on a plate with prepared vegetables, separated by variety. (You may be able to buy mixed stir-fry vegetables in packages from your supermarket.).
2. Mix the flavoring mixture ingredients until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.
3. Add the canola oil to a large skillet or wok, place over medium-high heat, and add vegetables. Cook sturdier vegetables first, saving tender ones like bean sprouts and asparagus for later. Stir vegetables constantly, adding a little water if necessary to keep them from sticking or burning.The idea is to produce a mixture in which all the items are crunchy-tender and retain their colors and individual character.
4. Add the tofu and the flavoring mixture. Continue to cook over high heat for 1 minute, then serve over rice or noodles.

Reviews

[Hadice]

I marinated my tofu in a sauce similar to the sauce used here. I also pan fried it instead of baked it (I like crispier tofu.) I slightly reduced the amount of veggies. Simple and light, the brown sugar cuts out a saltiness of the soy sauce. I served mine over jasmine rice. GOOD. Water chestnuts and baby corn absorbed the sauce the best. My sauce didn't really thicken either, I would recommend a little cornstarch as well.

[krismars]

This took me longer than 20 minutes to make but that was because I did not get the baked tofu and I marinaded it in the flavoring mixture then cooked it in the pan on low heat for about an hour so that it would get a "thick skin." I used carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, bell pepper, and celery and they came out very nicely.