If you are looking for a delicious and easy way to add more plant-based protein to your diet, try this tofu fried rice recipe. This dish is packed with savory flavors and is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or as a side dish to complement your favorite Chinese recipes. It is easy to prepare and uses affordable ingredients. Read on for more about this delicious and nutrient-packed meal!
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Simple ingredients
- Cooking oil: Either vegetable oil or canola oil; both work well.
- Cold-cooked rice: Cold-cooked rice here means leftover rice that has been previously cooked and cooled down, typically stored in the refrigerator. I recommend using long grain rice because of its fluffy texture and ability to separate when cooked.
- Film tofu (pressed and cubed): Firm tofu has a solid texture and holds its shape well when cooked. Pressing tofu helps remove excess water, making it firmer and better at absorbing flavors. You can also use extra-firm tofu.
- Onion
- Frozen peas: Frozen peas can be quickly cooked by thawing or adding directly to this recipe.
- Sweet corn: It adds sweetness and crunch to this tofu fried rice.
- Carrots
- Eggs: We will scramble the egg first, then add it to the dish later.
- Light soy sauce: It is commonly used in Asian cooking to add saltiness and umami to the fried rice.
- Green onions: chopped for garnish.
Step-by-step cooking instructions
Prepare the tofu: Press the tofu to remove excess moisture. Cut it into small cubes and set aside.
Fry the tofu cubes: Heat the cooking oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the tofu cubes to the skillet and fry until golden and crispy on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the crispy tofu from the skillet and set aside. (If you prefer the oven method: Arrange the tofu cubes in a single even layer on the prepared baking sheet or parchment paper, leaving space between each piece. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the tofu for 25-30 minutes at 400°F or until golden brown and crispy on the outside. Remember to flip the tofu halfway through the cooking time for even crispiness.)
Scramble the eggs: Pour the beaten eggs into the wok. Let them cook for a few seconds until they begin to set, then scramble them gently with a spatula until fully cooked.
Stir-fry the vegetables: Heat more cooking oil in the same skillet if needed. Add the diced onion, frozen peas, sweet corn, and carrot pieces. Stir-fry for a couple of minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Combine with rice: Add the cooked rice to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir in the soy sauce. Return the fried tofu and scrambled eggs to the wok and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until everything is well combined and heated.
Garnish and serve: Taste the fried rice and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional soy sauce if needed. Garnish with chopped green onions. Serve hot and enjoy!
Flavor enhancements
There are plenty of ingredients and seasonings you can add to this tofu fried rice recipe to enhance its flavor and texture. Here are some suggestions:
- Extra vegetables: Diced bell peppers are a great way to add color and sweetness to the dish. Sliced mushrooms, bean sprouts, chopped broccoli, and cauliflower florets add freshness and crunch to the fried rice.
- Pineapple: Diced pineapple can add a sweet and tangy flavor to the tofu fried rice.
- Nuts: Toasted cashews or peanuts add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
- Sesame oil: A drizzle of sesame oil adds a rich, nutty flavor to the fried rice.
- Red pepper flakes or chili garlic sauce: If you love spicy food, you can add red pepper flakes or your favorite chili sauce.
Additional pro tips
To help you achieve perfect tofu fried rice, here are some pro tips to get the best results:
Cold rice: Using day-old rice helps prevent the rice from becoming too sticky or mushy.
Use firm or extra firm tofu: Tofu without excess moisture will help the tofu crisp up nicely when fried.
Cook tofu separately: Fry the tofu cubes in a bit of oil until they're golden and crispy before adding them to the fried rice. This ensures the tofu has a nice texture without becoming mushy in the rice.
Stir constantly: Keep the ingredients moving in the pan to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
Add sauces towards the end: Add soy sauce or other seasonings towards the end of cooking to prevent the fried rice from becoming too salty or soggy.
Final thoughts
This tofu fried rice recipe is not only easy to make but also incredibly versatile and packed with healthy ingredients. If you're simply looking for a delicious way to enjoy tofu, this dish is sure to become a new favorite in your kitchen. Enjoy!
Easy Tofu Fried Rice Recipe: For Busy Weeknights
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 4 cups cold cooked rice
- 1 block firm tofu pressed and cubed
- ½ onion
- 1 cup of frozen peas
- ½ cup sweet corn
- ½ cup carrot pieces peeled and chopped into small pieces
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 1 green onion chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the tofu: Press the tofu to remove excess moisture. Cut it into small cubes and set aside.
- Fry the tofu cubes: Heat the cooking oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the tofu cubes to the skillet and fry until golden and crispy on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the crispy tofu from the skillet and set aside. (If you prefer the oven method: Arrange the tofu cubes in a single even layer on the prepared baking sheet or parchment paper, leaving space between each piece. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the tofu for 25-30 minutes at 400°F or until golden brown and crispy on the outside. Remember to flip the tofu halfway through the cooking time for even crispiness.)
- Scramble the eggs: Pour the beaten eggs into the wok. Let them cook for a few seconds until they begin to set, then scramble them gently with a spatula until fully cooked.
- Stir-fry the vegetables: Heat more cooking oil in the same skillet if needed. Add the diced onion, frozen peas, sweet corn, and carrot pieces. Stir-fry for a couple of minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Combine with rice: Add the cooked rice to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir in the soy sauce. Return the fried tofu and scrambled eggs to the wok and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until everything is well combined and heated.
- Garnish and serve: Taste the fried rice and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional soy sauce if needed. Garnish with chopped green onions. Serve hot and enjoy!
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