Cashew Tofu (Vegan Cashew Chicken)

By Kirsten Maxwell March 27, 2023 24 mins read 71 Views

Cashew Tofu a twist on take-out cashew chicken. It takes only 30 minutes to prepare and can be made in just one dish.

This cashew Tofu is a hit instantly. This is a must-have in your meal rotation. This dish has the perfect combination of flavors to remind you that you can eat delicious food while remaining vegan.

You can also make it in just 30 minutes.

It has a great balance of textures. The tofu is crisp and crunchy, while the cashes and sugar snowpea add crunchiness. The inner parts of the broccoli florets, peppers, and tofu provide softness.

This dish is great with simple white or brown rice. Or, try our vegan garlic and turmeric rice.

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Why This Dish Will Make You Smile

Simple Clean Up - The recipe is prepared in one pot, making it super easy to clean up after you're done.
Quick This dish can be prepared in under 30 minutes. It is quicker than ordering takeout or having it delivered. The majority of the recipe requires no preparation.
Simple Ingredients -- Most of these ingredients can be found in your pantry, or at hand if you make most Asian dishes. This allows you to make the dish quickly and without running to the grocery store.

Recipe Ingredients

Get your ingredients together!

Cashews: To get the best results, use unsalted, roasted cashews.
Tofu - This will make the dish faster and give the tofu the best chance of holding up to home cooking. We recommend using super firm tofu. You don't have to press it out like other types.
Veggies: We are using sugar snap peas and broccoli for this recipe for greens and a balanced of textures.
Cornstarch This is used to crisp the edges of the tofu during the first stage of cooking it.

For a complete list and measurements, see my recipe card.

Variations and Substitutions:

Cashews We recommend that you reduce the amount of sodium in your dish if you use salted cashews. Roast raw cashews first if you don't have any. You can substitute cashews with almonds or pine nuts, or omit them altogether.
Tofu - If you don’t have super firm, extra firm tofu can be used that has been drained. You can also substitute the tofu with chickpeas or mushrooms, or any other vegetable you like.
Vegetables: Feel free to make fresh green beans, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower, or add some leafy greens like spinach, kale, or even a few leaves.
Cornstarch - You could substitute this with arrowroot powder or potato starch or all-purpose flour. You will feel like you're eating flour if you only do the required amount.

Step-by-Step Instructions forcashew Tofu :

Step 1. Stir fry sauce can be made by mixing all ingredients together in one bowl, and then adding the cornstarch water and water to another bowl.

Step 2 Next, combine the two bowls to make the stir-fry sauce.

Step 3. Heat oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Flip the cornstarch-coated tofu. Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a towel-lined plate.

Notice: Use the recommended amount of cornstarch to coat the tofu. Too much cornstarch will make the tofu taste like dry powder.

Step 4. Step 4. Add your broccoli and sugar snappeas.

Mix well, and season with salt or pepper.

Allow vegetables to cook for approximately 1-2 minutes, or until they are slightly charred.

Cover the vegetables with 3-4 tablespoons water and steam them for 3-4 minutes.

Step 5. Stir in the peppers, followed by the ginger and garlic. Let cook for a few minutes.

Step 6. Step 6. Mix the ingredients together and stir. The mixture will thicken after a while.

Step 7. Step 7. Serve warm with green onions and sesame seeds.

FAQs:

Can I make this dish to the top 9 for free?

For soy-free versions, you can substitute the tofu for mushrooms, chickpeas or other vegetables. You can substitute the cashews for any other nut, or omit them and replace them with any crunchy vegetable.

Is it possible to prepare this dish in advance?

Yes. After cooling completely, store the tofu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Although the tofu won't be as crisp as if you eat it immediately, it will still taste delicious.

Do I have to double the recipe?

Yes. This recipe can be cooked in a large skillet. When cooking tofu for the first time, it is important not to crowd the pan.

This can be frozen

This dish is not recommended to be frozen.

Other vegan rice recipes to consider:

Vegan Pad Thai
Sweet and Sour Chickpeas
Sheet Pan Teriyaki Tofu and Broccoli
Vegan Mongolian Beef Noodles

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Cashew Tofu (Vegan Cashew chicken)

Cashew Tofu is a twist on traditional cashew chicken. It's even better! It takes only 30 minutes to prepare and can be made in just one dish.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep time 5 min

Cook Time 25 Minutes

Total time HTML4_ HTML5_ HTML5_ HTML5_ HTML6_ HTML7_ HTML8_ HTML9_ HTML7_ HTML4_ HTML5_ HTML5_ HTML6_ HTML8_ HTML7_ HTML8_ HTML9_ HTML5_ HTML5_ HTML5_ HTML6_

Foods People

Calories 451 451 kcal

Author Larisha Bern

Ingredients

Sauce

half cup hot water, as much you need
1 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoon hoisin sauce
2 tablespoon maple syrup
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Tofu and vegetables

14 oz block extra firm tofu
1-2 tablespoon cornstarch
3 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1 head broccoli florets
8 oz sugar snap peas
1/4 teaspoon salt, more to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, more to taste
1 red bell pepper, diced
3-4 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 roasted, unsalted cashews
sesame seeds, for garnish
green onions, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

Combine water and cornstarch in a bowl. Whisk together. Mix in the remaining sauce ingredients.
Mix tofu cubes and cornstarch in a large bowl. Stir well to combine. Next, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet* on medium heat. Flip the tofu over and fry until golden brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a towel-lined plate.
If necessary, heat 1 tablespoon oil in the same skillet. Once the skillet is hot, add the broccoli and sugar snappeas. Mix well and season with salt & pepper. Allow vegetables to cook for about 1-2 minutes, or until they are slightly charred. Cover the vegetables with 3-4 tablespoons water and steam them for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the peppers, followed by the ginger, garlic, and ginger. Let cook for a few minutes.
Then add the roasted cashews to the sauce and stir. Finally, pour the sauce over the vegetables in the skillet. Mix the ingredients together and stir. The mixture will thicken after a while. Mix in the tofu. Serve warm with green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

* To avoid crowding the skillet, cook the tofu in small batches.

*Nutritional facts are estimates only. For the most accurate information, please use your own products.

Nutrition

Calories: 451kcal

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are some popular plant-based meals?

A plant-based diet is gaining popularity due to its potential health and environmental benefits. Common plant-based diets are those that are made from plants. This includes fruits, vegetables as well as legumes and nuts. These foods provide essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. A variety of beans and pulses are good sources for plant-based protein. These include chickpeas (or lentils), beans, chickpeas (or kidney beans), lower-fat soya products like tempeh and edamame, and higher-fat nuts like almonds. There are many other plant-based options, such as olive, flaxseed, flaxseed, and other nut oil. A variety of ready-to–eat meals are available now to help lower your grocery expenses. Depending on the amount of food you purchase, a plant-based diet can be cheaper than others.

What other protein sources can I use instead of meat?

Protein is an integral part of a healthy diet. Both animal- and vegetable-based sources can provide protein. The most common plant-based sources of protein include legumes and nuts, seeds, grains, tofu and tempeh, beans and lentils, seitan, wheat gluten, and hemp seeds. High levels of antioxidants in many vegetables and fruits can help reduce inflammation. Some dairy substitutes, such as almond or oat milk, are fortified with proteins, making a great plant-based alternative to cow's milk. Alternatives like pumpkin seeds, nutritional yeast, and other plant-based milks can provide cheesy flavors to dishes while also offering more micronutrients. Vegan protein powders for smoothies and shakes are great options for adding nutrition without having to eat animal products.

What happens to my meat if I stop eating it?

There are many changes that will occur when you give up meat. Your diet could be more fiber-rich and less saturated than if you switched from animal to plant protein. This can help improve your heart health and digestive health. Due to better digestion and the elimination inflammatory foods such as animal proteins, you might experience an increase in energy. Your moods may become more stable as you reduce stress hormones that are already activated by eating animal protein. Switching to a plant based diet is a popular way to fight environmental damage caused factory farming.

Can a plant based diet reduce the chance of developing chronic diseases?

In today's world, a plant-based diet is gaining more popularity due to its various health and environmental benefits. It involves eating mainly fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds and eliminating or significantly reducing animal proteins like meat or dairy products. Plant-based diets have many advantages, including better heart health, digestive health benefits and increased energy levels. They also offer potential environmental protection. One can get enough protein on a plant-based diet by eating excellent alternative protein sources on a plant-based diet.

Statistics

In the United States, poor-quality diet is the most significant predictor of early death, according to an article published in the May 2017 Journal of Geriatric Cardiology. (everydayhealth.com)
According to research published, going plant-based can cut grocery bills by $750 a year per person, Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition. (forksoverknives.com)

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How To

How to prepare plant-based dishes that are tasty and filling

You can cook plant-based meals that taste delicious and filling with the right ingredients and creative recipes. First, you should choose fresh produce and quality ingredients. Then create a grocery plan based on your recipes. Also, make sure to invest in proper storage equipment to keep your prepared food fresh.

Next, when meal prepping is involved, it is important to focus on variety. Focus on whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables and nuts. In order to improve nutrition, aim for different colors. A balanced combination of fiber, protein and healthy fats should be considered in each meal. Use kitchen appliances such as multi-cookers or slow cookers to maximize efficiency. Batch cooking is a great way to save time and make meals ahead.

You can be creative in the kitchen, while adhering to a vegan diet. Spices such as chili powder or cayenne pepper can enhance dishes while remaining healthy. Plant-based meals can be transformed from bland to delicious by using whole foods, rather than processed substitutes. For example, you can make beans instead faux "meats" or roast butternut squash in place of french fries. Remix leftovers from earlier weeks to make something new.

These tips will allow you to enjoy a plant-based diet that is delicious and not void of flavor or fullness. So get started cooking!