Sweet Chili Tofu Bowls Recipe
Sweet Chili Tofu Bowls are a vibrant and satisfying plant-based meal featuring crispy pan-fried tofu coated in sweet chili sauce, served over a bed of fluffy brown rice and sautéed carrots and red bell peppers. This recipe balances savory, sweet, and mildly spicy flavors, making it perfect for lunch or dinner with wholesome ingredients and simple preparation.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Tofu
- 14 oz extra firm tofu
- 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying tofu)
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 lb carrots (about 5 medium), peeled and diced
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil (for sautéing vegetables)
Rice
- 4 cups cooked brown rice
Sauce
- Sweet chili sauce: 1/8 cup for vegetables + 1/3 cup for tofu + additional for serving
Instructions
- Press the Tofu: Drain the tofu and place it between kitchen towels. Place a heavy object such as a cast iron skillet on top and press for 30 minutes to remove excess moisture.
- Cook the Rice: Prepare 4 cups of brown rice according to the package instructions, using a rice cooker or stovetop method, until fluffy and cooked through.
- Prepare Vegetables: Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced carrots and 1/2 teaspoon of salt, sauté for 10 minutes until slightly tender but still firm.
- Add Bell Peppers and Garlic: Stir in the diced red bell pepper and minced garlic, sauté for another 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables are soft and fragrant.
- Season Vegetables: Remove the skillet from heat and mix in 1/8 cup of sweet chili sauce, stirring well. Adjust sauce amount to taste if desired.
- Prepare Tofu for Frying: After pressing, dice the tofu into small chunks. Toss tofu pieces with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Pan Fry the Tofu: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the tofu and fry, turning occasionally, until crispy and golden on all sides, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
- Coat Tofu with Sauce: Pour in 1/3 cup of sweet chili sauce into the skillet and toss the tofu to coat it evenly and heat through.
- Assemble Bowls: Serve the crispy sweet chili tofu atop the cooked brown rice, add sautéed vegetables on the side.
- Garnish and Serve: Add extra sweet chili sauce over the bowl as desired before serving.
Notes
- Pressing the tofu is essential for achieving a crispy texture; do not skip this step.
- Adjust the amount of sweet chili sauce according to your preferred spice and sweetness level.
- Use a non-stick skillet to prevent tofu from sticking while frying.
- Brown rice can be substituted with white rice or quinoa if preferred.
- This recipe is suitable for vegetarians and can be made vegan if the sweet chili sauce is free of animal products.
Keywords: Sweet Chili Tofu, Tofu Bowl, Vegetarian Bowl, Crispy Tofu, Brown Rice Bowl, Sweet Chili Sauce, Plant-Based Dinner
Find it online: https://tastybella.com/sweet-chili-tofu-bowls-recipe/
