Tofu with Peanut-Ginger Sauce

From EatingWell: February/March 2005, The EatingWell Diabetes Cookbook (2005) — Subscribe Now!

Tofu and vegetables get a dramatic lift from a spicy peanut sauce. Serve with a cucumber salad for a low-calorie, nutrient-packed vegetarian supper.

4 servings, generous 3/4 cup each

Active Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Ingredients

Sauce

5 tablespoons water
4 tablespoons smooth natural peanut butter
1 tablespoon rice vinegar, (see Ingredient note) or white vinegar
2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons minced ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced

Tofu & vegetables

14 ounces extra-firm tofu, preferably water-packed
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 cups baby spinach, (6 ounces)
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms, (4 ounces)
4 scallions, sliced (1 cup)

Preparation

To prepare sauce: Whisk water, peanut butter, rice vinegar (or white vinegar), soy sauce, honey, ginger and garlic in a small bowl.
To prepare tofu: Drain and rinse tofu; pat dry. Slice the block crosswise into eight 1/2-inch-thick slabs. Coarsely crumble each slice into smaller, uneven pieces.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add tofu and cook in a single layer, without stirring, until the pieces begin to turn golden brown on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Then gently stir and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until all sides are golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes more.
Add spinach, mushrooms, scallions and the peanut sauce and cook, stirring, until the vegetables are just cooked, 1 to 2 minutes more.

Tips & Notes

Ingredient Note: Rice vinegar (or rice-wine vinegar) is mild, slightly sweet vinegar made from fermented rice. Find it in the Asian section of supermarkets and specialty stores.

Nutrition

Per serving: 225 calories; 15 g fat (2 g sat, 3 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 15 g carbohydrates; 14 g protein; 5 g fiber; 233 mg sodium; 287 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Calcium (16% daily value), Iron (16% dv).

1 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 2 medium-fat meat