In The Moment Tofu Veggie Stir Fry

Easy Stir Fry Recipe: Veggies, Seasonings, Tofu & Coconut Milk

This is a staple recipe I make often, with variations, depending on what I want to eat, but more often, what I've got in the fridge or cupboard in the moment.

Sometimes I add cashews or almonds, and more or less tofu, or sometimes I fry the tofu. Sometimes I use different greens or no greens, sometimes peppers, green beans, or winter squash. We eat it with brown or white rice, any kind of noodles (soba noodles in the picture), couscous, quinoa, flat bread...or solo.

If I don't have coconut milk, I'll make a sauce with chick pea flour (besan), hummus or tahini, or good old cornstarch. Or skip the sauce.

I almost always use fresh ginger and garlic, and sometimes jalapeno. Using dried substitutes is fine. Vary the spicing to your taste, and work with you've got on hand. Be 'in the moment'!

4 - 6 Servings: Serve with rice, noodles, couscous, quinoa, flat bread, etc.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb (more if you like) extra firm tofu
• 1/4 cup cashew pieces
• 2 tablespoon cooking oil (I use olive, but any kind will do)
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 jalapeno, seeded and minced
• 1 tsp brown mustard seeds
• 1 lg carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 small zucchinis (no more than 6 inches long)
• 1 bunch baby bok choy (stalks and leaves), rinsed and sliced crosswise
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley or cilantro
• 1 Tbsp curry powder or to taste
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce or to taste
• 1/2 cup coconut milk, light or regular
• 1/2 cup water or stock

Directions:

1. Cut the tofu into slices about 1 x 2 inches. Place in a bowl, stir in soy sauce, and set aside
2. Heat oil on low in a stir-fry pan, sauté pan, or deep skillet
3. If you want fried tofu, start it now on medium heat in a separate skillet, and set aside when golden brown on both sides
4. If you're serving the stir fry with a grain or noodles, start cooking now so it'll be done when you the stir fry is finished
5. Mince the garlic, ginger and jalapeno. Skip this step if you're using dried ginger, garlic and chili powder
6. Peel and slice the carrot thinly
7. Half the zucchini lengthwise, slice thinly on the diagonal, and set aside
8. Wash, shake dry and slice the bok choy thinly crosswise - stems and leaves
9. Add the ginger, garlic, jalapeno, carrot, cashews and mustard seeds to the pan, turn up the heat a bit, and stir fry until the carrots are slightly cooked and the cashews a little brown
10. Add the zucchini and stir fry until it starts to get limp
11. Add the bok choy and stir fry until it wilts
12. Add the curry powder, and other dry spices if using, and stir fry briefly
13. Stir in tofu, water and coconut milk, salt and pepper to taste
14. Add the parsley, cover and cook on low for five minutes to blend the flavors
15. Adjust seasonings to taste, and serve with your choice of grains, noodles or flatbread