Coconut Lime Tofu
A bright, creamy, and gently spiced vegan dish featuring pan-fried tofu in a smooth coconut-lime sauce, served over jasmine rice.
Ingredients
For the Rice
- 1 cup Jasmine Rice
For the Tofu
- 14 oz Extra Firm Tofu, cubed Press if very wet for better texture.
- 1 tbsp Avocado Oil Can substitute with olive oil.
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch Arrowroot powder works as a substitute.
For the Sauce
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce Use tamari for gluten-free.
- 1 medium Shallot Or yellow onion if unavailable.
- 1 tbsp Ginger Or 1 tsp ground ginger.
- 3 cloves Garlic Or 1 tsp garlic powder.
- 1 can (13.5 oz) Coconut Milk Use light to reduce fat.
- 1 tsp Maple Syrup Or agave syrup as an alternative.
- 1 tsp Paprika Try smoky paprika for different flavor.
- 2 whole Limes, juiced Lemon juice can be substituted.
- 1 tbsp Cilantro Parsley can be used in a pinch.
Instructions
Cooking the Rice
- Rinse jasmine rice until the water runs clear.
- Combine rice with 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups water in a small pot.
- Bring to a simmer, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 12–15 minutes until water is absorbed.
- Fluff with a fork and keep covered.
Preparing and Pan-frying the Tofu
- Press the tofu for 10–15 minutes if it's very wet, then cube into bite-sized pieces.
- Toss cubes with cornstarch until lightly coated.
- Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu in a single layer.
- Cook for 3–5 minutes per side until golden and slightly crisp.
Sautéing Aromatics
- Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, add a splash of oil if needed.
- Add finely chopped shallot, grated ginger, and minced garlic.
- Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
Making the Coconut-Lime Sauce
- Stir in soy sauce, coconut milk, maple syrup, and paprika.
- Bring to a gentle simmer and let thicken for 3–5 minutes.
- Add lime juice and adjust salt as needed.
Combining and Finishing
- Return the browned tofu to the skillet and spoon sauce over the pieces.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes to absorb flavors.
- Stir in chopped cilantro just before serving.
Notes
Serve over warm jasmine rice and spoon extra sauce on top. Great for weeknight family meals or casual dinners.