Chili tofu

Recipe from Hetty Lui McKinnon · original post · full recipe on hettymckinnon.com

A vegan take on Indo-Chinese chili paneer: crispy cornstarch-coated tofu stir-fried with bell pepper, broccoli and onion in a sticky soy, ketchup and sriracha sauce.

Serves 4 35 min
vegandairy-freelegumesstir-fryspicyasian
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Ingredients

  • extra firm tofu — drained and cut into 2.5 cm cubes450 g
  • cornstarch60 g
  • vegetable oil — divided75 ml
  • soy sauce — 4 tsp20 ml
  • dark soy sauce — 4 tsp20 ml
  • ketchup60 ml
  • rice vinegar — 4 tsp20 ml
  • sriracha15 ml
  • white sugar13 g
  • cornstarch — for the sauce8 g
  • ginger — peeled and finely chopped15 g
  • garlic cloves — finely chopped3 ea
  • jalapeno — thinly sliced1 ea
  • large red bell pepper — cut into 2.5 cm pieces1 ea
  • broccoli — cut into small florets400 g
  • red onion — halved and sliced150 g
  • scallions — thinly sliced, to serve2 ea

Method

  1. Scatter the cornstarch onto a large plate or tray, season with 1 teaspoon salt and a big pinch of black pepper and toss to combine. Add the tofu and toss until coated on all sides.
  2. Line a tray or plate with paper towels.
  3. Heat 2 to 3 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the tofu and pan-fry until crispy and golden on all sides, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to the paper towels.
  4. In a medium bowl, stir together the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, sriracha and sugar. Add 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 60 ml (1/4 cup) water and whisk until lump free.
  5. Return the pan to medium-high heat with 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the ginger, garlic and jalapeno and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the bell pepper, broccoli and onion, season with 1 teaspoon salt and stir-fry until crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the sauce and toss for 20 to 30 seconds until thickened. Add the tofu and toss until coated, then remove from the heat.
  6. Top with scallions and eat with rice.

Cooking for a different diet?

Swaps that keep this dish what it is. The prices on this page are for the recipe as written.

  • Gluten-free

    • 20 ml Tamari instead of soy sauce
    • 20 ml Tamari instead of dark soy sauce

    Use tamari for both the light and dark soy sauce; the sauce will be a little lighter in colour but cooking times are unchanged.

Swaps are suggestions — check labels if you are cooking for an allergy.

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What it costs, and where to buy it

Each item at whichever of your shops sells it cheapest.

Shops to compare

List price at each shop

  • Missing items

    These totals leave part of the list out, so a lower one isn't a cheaper shop.

  • Woolworths NZ

    you pay $96.42 · 23% spare

    $74.55

    missing 6 items

  • New World

    you pay $38.92 · 62% spare

    $14.62

    missing 8 items

  • Pak'nSave

    you pay $24.78 · 31% spare

    $17.00

    missing 9 items

$18.64a serve

from $18.64 a serve at Woolworths NZ · 10 of 16 ingredients priced

About $74.55 of ingredients used for 4 serves.

$38.19 across 3 shops · 11 of 16 items priced · $0.14 more for bigger packs, 53% spare for later

Woolworths NZ

$74.55

missing 6 items

you'll pay $96.42 · 23% of it spare

New World

$14.62

missing 8 items

you'll pay $38.92 · 62% of it spare

Pak'nSave

$17.00

missing 9 items

you'll pay $24.78 · 31% of it spare

Buy at Pak'nSave$22.83

extra firm tofu

$1.55/100g

need 450 gPams Firm Tofu 450g$6.99closest match

Pak'nSavePak'nSave$1.55/100g$6.99·Woolworths NZWoolworths NZN/A·New WorldNew WorldN/A

garlic cloves

$0.65/10g

need 3 itemsMrs Rogers Naturals Eco Ground Cloves 35g$2.29closest match 1 pack assumed, quantity unknown (sold by weight)

Pak'nSavePak'nSave$0.65/10g$2.29·Woolworths NZWoolworths NZ$3.20·New WorldNew World$1.40/10g$4.00

large red bell pepper

$0.46/10g

need 1 itemPams Ground Black Pepper 50g$2.29 1 pack assumed, quantity unknown (sold by weight)

Pak'nSavePak'nSave$0.46/10g$2.29·Woolworths NZWoolworths NZ$3.15·New WorldNew World$0.74/10g$3.69

Buy at Woolworths NZ$13.27

vegetable oil

$3.10

need 75 mlWoolworths vegetable oil 750mlclosest match

Woolworths NZWoolworths NZ$3.10·New WorldNew World$0.58/100ml$11.69·Pak'nSavePak'nSaveN/A

soy sauce

$3.49

need 20 mlHigh Mark soy sauce reduced salt 550ml

Woolworths NZWoolworths NZ$3.49·Pak'nSavePak'nSaveN/A·New WorldNew WorldN/A

dark soy sauce

$3.49

need 20 mlHigh Mark soy sauce dark 550ml

Woolworths NZWoolworths NZ$3.49·Pak'nSavePak'nSaveN/A·New WorldNew WorldN/A

Buy at New World$2.09

Not priced

  • cornstarch · 68 g
  • ketchup · 60 ml
  • sriracha · 15 ml
  • jalapeno · 1 item
  • scallions · 2 items