Rating: 4.5 stars
20 Ratings
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  • 4 star values: 3
  • 3 star values: 2
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  • 1 star values: 0

This spicy vegetarian stir-fry is a great way to use green beans when they're bountiful and inexpensive at the supermarket. You can also try it with other vegetables, such as broccoli or peppers, just make sure to cut them into small pieces so that they cook quickly. Coating the tofu in cornstarch before you cook it gives it a light crust.

Source: EatingWell Magazine, September/October 2010

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Ingredients

Ingredient Checklist

Directions

Instructions Checklist
  • Whisk 1/4 cup water, soy sauce, tomato paste, vinegar, sugar, crushed red pepper to taste and 1 teaspoon cornstarch in a small bowl. Set aside. Cut tofu into 1/2- to 3/4-inch cubes and pat dry. Toss the tofu in a bowl with the remaining 2 tablespoons cornstarch to coat.

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  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and spread out across the surface of the pan. Let cook undisturbed for 2 minutes. Gently turn and stir. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and crispy, 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer to a plate.

  • Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan. Add green beans, garlic and ginger; cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add the remaining 1/4 cup water, cover and cook until the beans are crisp-tender, 2 to 4 minutes. Stir the reserved soy sauce mixture and pour it over the green beans. Cook, stirring, until thickened, about 1 minute. Add the tofu and cook, stirring, until heated through, about 1 minute more.

Tips

Ingredient note: Chinkiang is a dark, slightly sweet vinegar. It is available in many Asian specialty markets. If unavailable, balsamic vinegar is an acceptable substitute.

People with celiac disease or gluten-sensitivity should use soy sauces that are labeled "gluten-free," as soy sauce may contain wheat or other gluten-containing sweeteners and flavors.

Nutrition Facts

1 1/2 cups
216 calories; protein 11.8g; carbohydrates 20.5g; dietary fiber 4.8g; sugars 4.8g; fat 11.5g; saturated fat 1.5g; vitamin a iu 864.2IU; vitamin c 12.5mg; folate 54.8mcg; calcium 256.4mg; iron 2.8mg; magnesium 63.3mg; potassium 352mg; sodium 815.8mg; thiamin 0.2mg; added sugar 2g.

2 vegetable, 1 plant protein, 1 1/2 fat

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