Perfectly Balanced Vegan Stir-Fry Recipe

Description: This delicious vegan stir-fry is a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or packed into lunchboxes. The combination of tender vegetables and savory tofu creates a satisfying meal that’s both simple to make and bursting with nutrition.

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Number of Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients:

1 block firm tofu, pressed and cut into cubes (about 200 grams)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 small red bell pepper, sliced thinly
1 medium carrot, julienned
1 cup broccoli florets
1/2 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup mirin (or tamari for a gluten-free version)
1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water for sauce thickening
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional garnishes: sesame seeds, chopped green onions

Instructions:

Start by pressing the tofu between paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. This removes excess water and makes it crispier in the pan.
In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, mirin, and cornstarch. Set this mixture aside to use as your stir-fry sauce later.
Heat up 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the tofu cubes to the pan and cook them until they are golden brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove from the pan once done and set aside.
In the same pan, add another tablespoon of sesame oil if needed. Stir in the sliced red bell pepper, carrot, broccoli florets, and mushrooms. Toss these vegetables for a few minutes until they start to soften slightly.
Add back the tofu into the pan along with your prepared sauce mixture. Stir everything well ensuring that all ingredients get coated evenly by the tasty sauce.
Let it cook down until the sauce thickens, approximately another 3-5 minutes.
Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary (add more soy sauce or mirin), then remove from heat immediately to preserve freshness.

Tips for Success:

Make sure you press your tofu properly; this step helps absorb excess moisture which leads to better browning when cooking.
To enhance flavor, feel free to add a small amount of chili paste or chili flakes towards the end before serving.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat gently on low heat without adding too much additional liquid since it will release naturally from reheating.

Variations:

Add some cooked noodles or rice to make this dish more filling if desired.
Substitute vegetables based on what you have on hand, such as zucchini, snap peas, bell peppers, etc. Just ensure they are cut into similar sizes so that everything cooks evenly.

Nutritional Information:

This stir-fry provides a good source of protein from the tofu, along with various essential vitamins and minerals found in vegetables like vitamin A and C, iron, calcium, etc. It’s also low in calories but rich in fiber which supports digestive health.

Enjoy your homemade vegan stir-fry! Not only does it taste great but it’s also easy to prepare, allowing you to focus on enjoying the meal rather than stressing over complicated steps. Whether enjoyed alone as a main course or paired with some side dishes and bread, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your household!