Best 2 Tofu And Peppers With Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipes

Indulge in a culinary symphony of flavors with our tantalizing tofu and peppers recipe, a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that will delight your palate. Savor the soft, protein-rich tofu, perfectly complemented by the vibrant crunch of bell peppers and the subtle heat of serrano peppers. Immerse yourself in the symphony of flavors created by the creamy peanut sauce, boasting a delightful balance of spicy, tangy, and sweet notes. Elevate your meal with the addition of crispy wonton strips, adding a textural contrast that enhances the overall experience. This versatile dish can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or side dish, making it a perfect choice for any occasion. Explore the detailed recipe instructions and embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving more.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

BAKED TOFU WITH PEANUT SAUCE AND COCONUT-LIME RICE

Baked Tofu With Peanut Sauce and Coconut-Lime Rice image

A spicy, fragrant peanut sauce reminiscent of the groundnut stews that are popular across West Africa anchors this recipe. Any protein would be lucky to be doused and marinated in it, but tofu soaks up the peanut sauce's flavors and chars up nicely upon roasting. The tofu's neutral flavor allows the other flavors in the dish to break through. Red miso and fish sauce provide umami, honey lends a subtle sweetness and the lime zest in the coconut rice brightens it all. Finished with pickled peppers and fresh sliced scallions, this dish comes together to make an exciting but quick weeknight dinner.

Provided by Yewande Komolafe

Categories dinner, weekday, grains and rice, vegetables, main course

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil, plus more for brushing the pan and drizzling
2/3 cup lime juice (from about 5 limes), and zest of 1 lime
Kosher salt
8 baby bell peppers or 1 medium bell pepper (any color will do), stemmed and thinly sliced lengthwise
Black pepper
1 cup long-grain rice like jasmine or basmati
1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
1 cup smooth, natural peanut butter
1 tablespoon red miso
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional)
2 teaspoons chopped habanero pepper, stem and seeds removed, or 1 tablespoon sambal
2 tablespoons buckwheat honey or molasses
2 (14-ounce) package extra-firm tofu, drained and sliced crosswise, 1/4-inch thick
3 cups peppery greens, like arugula, mizuna or baby mustard greens
2 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced

Steps:

Heat the oven to 450 degrees and lightly brush a large rimmed sheet pan with oil.
In a small bowl, stir 4 tablespoons lime juice with 1/2 teaspoon salt until salt dissolves. Add the sliced peppers, a few cracks of black pepper and set aside.
In a small pot, combine the rice with 1 cup water and the coconut milk. Season with salt and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over medium-low until the rice is just tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit, covered, until ready to serve.
In a medium bowl, whisk 4 tablespoons lime juice with the peanut butter, miso, ginger, fish sauce (if using), habanero, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon honey and 3/4 cup water. Stir until smooth and season to taste with salt.
Arrange the tofu pieces in a single layer on the oiled baking sheet and season with salt. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the peanut sauce over each, covering the top and allowing the sauce to run down and coat the sides. Drizzle the tops with some oil, and roast until glaze is set, deep brown and caramelized along the edges, 18 to 20 minutes. Add the remaining lime juice and 1 tablespoon honey to the leftover peanut sauce in the bowl to make the dressing; set aside.
Divide the greens among bowls. Add the lime zest and half the sliced scallions to the rice, then fluff with a fork. Top the greens with the rice, then the tofu. Spoon the peanut dressing over everything, and garnish with the drained pickled peppers and remaining sliced scallions.

STIR-FRIED TOFU AND PEPPERS

Stir-Fried Tofu and Peppers image

This attractive stir-fry is inspired by a traditional Chinese dish called rainbow beef. The vegetarian version works well, and it's also easier to make. If you prefer a very firm tofu, take the extra time to weight it as directed in step 1. I am happy to skip this step and use firm tofu that hasn't been weighted.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories dinner, one pot, main course

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1/2 pound firm tofu
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable, peanut or canola oil
2 teaspoons hoisin sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 red bell peppers, seeded and cut in 1-inch squares
1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut in 1-inch squares
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
2 large garlic cloves, green shoots removed, minced
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes (to taste)
2 scallions, white and green parts, cut on the diagonal into 1-inch lengths
Cooked rice or noodles for serving

Steps:

Optional step for firmer tofu: Blot the tofu dry, wrap in a clean kitchen towel and place a cutting board on top. Let sit for about 15 minutes. Whether weighted or not, slice the tofu about 1/2 inch thick into 1- x 2-inch dominoes.
Mix together 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of the brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of the oil in a medium bowl. Toss with the tofu, and stir to make sure all of the pieces are coated. Let sit for five to 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
In a small bowl, stir together the remaining soy sauce and sugar, hoisin sauce and sesame oil. Set aside.
Heat a large nonstick skillet or wok over high heat until a drop of water evaporates on contact. Add the oil, turn the heat to medium-high and add the peppers. Stir-fry for a couple of minutes, until the peppers begin to soften, and add the garlic and ginger. Stir-fry for 20 seconds, until the garlic and ginger begin to smell fragrant, and add the tofu, dried red pepper flakes and green onions. Stir-fry two minutes, give the sauce a stir and add to the pan. Cover and cook for three minutes. Remove the lid, stir the ingredients in the pan, and taste and adjust seasonings. Serve with rice or noodles.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 200, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams, Carbohydrate 12 grams, Fat 13 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 11 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 496 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 0 grams

Tips:

Use extra firm or firm tofu. This type of tofu holds its shape better when cooked and won't crumble apart.
Press the tofu before cooking. This helps to remove excess moisture and results in a firmer texture.
Marinate the tofu. This is a great way to add flavor to the tofu. You can use a simple marinade made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil, or you can experiment with other flavors.
Cook the tofu over medium heat. This will help to prevent it from burning.
Don't overcook the tofu. Tofu is a delicate protein and can easily become tough if overcooked.
Serve the tofu with your favorite sauce. The spicy peanut sauce in this recipe is a great option, but you can also use other sauces, such as soy sauce, hoisin sauce, or teriyaki sauce.

Conclusion:

This tofu and peppers recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The tofu is marinated in a flavorful sauce and then cooked until crispy. The peppers are roasted until tender and slightly charred. The combination of the two creates a dish that is both savory and satisfying. Serve this dish with rice or noodles and a side of vegetables for a complete meal.