Veggie Fried Rice with Baked Tofu
Growing up in South East Asia, I absolutely loved the local food and one of my favourites was a mock-meat ham fried rice. Clearly the Malaysians were well ahead with their vegan food offerings! I had a hankering for that smoky fried rice recently so decided to make my own veggie fried rice with some gorgeous baked tofu on the side. Super easy to make and just the tiniest bit of forward planning.
Ingredients
Serves 2
3 cups cooked rice (cold)
1 packet firm tofu (225g)
275g frozen mixed vegetables
1 leek
2 inch ginger piece
2-3 chunky cloves of garlic
5 tbsp soy sauce
3 tbsp hoisin sauce
2-3 tbsp roasted peanuts
Spring onion to garnish
Stir fry oil or toasted sesame oil
Salt & pepper to taste
Method
Chop up your tofu and coat it in 2 tbsp of hoisin sauce. Crack in some black pepper or chilli powder for an extra kick. I’ve used smoked tofu for that smokey flavour that I love. Leave it to one side as you prep your fried rice.
Chop up your leek, ginger and garlic. Pour some oil in a wok/deep pan and put it in a high heat. Throw in the ginger and garlic and stir quickly.
Add in your leeks with some pepper and fry until soft.
Add in your frozen veg and 3 tbsp of soy sauce. Keep frying on a high heat until all the water is evaporated and the veg is quite dry.
While frying the veg, place your tofu in a baking try and stick in the oven on a high grill sitting.
Toss in your cooked rice and 2 tbsp of soy sauce and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Stir vigorously to break up the rice and mix in all the soy sauce and veg.
Now don’t forget about your tofu in the oven! Make sure it’s crisped up nicely and turn off the heat.
Once the rice is fully combined and heated through, add in 1 tbsp of hoisin sauce. This sticky sauce will help the rice caramelise in the pan and give it a more ‘fried’ taste. Keep stirring on a high heat as the rice starts crisping up.
Take the tofu out of the oven and plate up! Sprinkle on some spring onions and crushed roasted peanuts and that’s you. Tuck in!
