Easy Vegan Stir-Fry Recipe: A Delicious and Nutritious Meal

A perfect balance of flavors and textures, stir-frying is a quick and easy way to prepare vegetables and proteins in a single pan. This dish is packed with nutritious ingredients like bell peppers, broccoli, and tofu, which makes it an excellent choice for those looking to enhance their daily intake of vitamins and antioxidants. If you are planning your weekly menu, this stir-fry recipe will definitely be a hit with both adults and children. The preparation time for this dish is approximately 20 minutes, and the cooking time is around 15 minutes. It serves four people and can easily be doubled or halved according to your needs.

Ingredients:

• 1 block of extra-firm tofu
• 4 cups of mixed vegetables (broccoli florets, bell peppers, carrots)
• 3 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of ginger powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

To start, press the tofu lightly between two plates for 10 minutes to remove excess water. Then slice it into small cubes. Next, prepare your vegetables by washing them thoroughly. Cut the bell peppers into thin slices, chop carrots into bite-size pieces, and break broccoli florets. In a bowl, mix cornstarch with soy sauce to create a thickening paste. Set aside until needed later in the recipe.

Steps:

1. In a large pan or wok over medium heat, add sesame oil and let it warm up for about 1 minute. Then add garlic powder and ginger powder and sauté them for another 30 seconds until they become fragrant.

2. Transfer the tofu cubes to your preheated pan. Cook the tofu for approximately 4-5 minutes on each side, ensuring it is golden brown and crispy. Remove from heat once done and place on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.

3. Once all ingredients are ready, add mixed vegetables into the same pan. Stir-fry them until they start turning bright green, which should take about 5 minutes. Ensure not to overcook as you want your veggies to remain crisp and vibrant in color.

4. Add soy sauce mixture and cornstarch slurry back into the pan along with the tofu. Mix everything thoroughly so that all pieces are evenly coated in the delicious gravy. Taste test and add salt, pepper, or additional garlic powder if necessary for better seasoning.

5. Let it simmer gently for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens up nicely around your stir-fry ingredients. Serve immediately over rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables of your choice!

Tips & Variations:

• To make this dish even more enjoyable, you could add some fresh herbs such as cilantro or green onions at the end to garnish. Or consider trying different protein sources like seitan or tempeh instead of using tofu if preferred.
• If you want a bit more spice in your stir-fry, include red pepper flakes or chili powder while cooking the garlic and ginger mix.
• You can also vary the vegetables used based on availability or taste preferences; however, ensure they have similar cooking times so that everything comes together perfectly at the end of preparation.

Conclusion:

The vegan stir-fry is an incredibly versatile dish that can be customized to suit various dietary restrictions and tastes. With its rich flavors and satisfying texture, it provides a nutritious meal option without sacrificing on taste or convenience. Whether you're looking for something quick during busy weeknights or want to impress guests with home-cooked cuisine, this stir-fry recipe is sure to deliver delightful results every time. Happy cooking!