Peanut Tofu Power Bowl (Printable)

Crispy tofu, grains, and fresh veggies topped with rich peanut sauce for a satisfying plant-based meal.

# What You Need:

→ Tofu

01 - 14 oz extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed
02 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - Pinch of salt

→ Grains

05 - 1 cup brown rice or quinoa, uncooked
06 - 2 cups water or vegetable broth

→ Vegetables

07 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
08 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
09 - 1 cup purple cabbage, shredded
10 - 1 cup edamame, steamed and shelled
11 - 1 small cucumber, sliced
12 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced

→ Peanut Sauce

13 - 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
14 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
15 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave
16 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lime juice
17 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
18 - 2 tablespoons warm water
19 - 1 garlic clove, minced
20 - 1 teaspoon grated ginger
21 - Pinch of chili flakes

→ Toppings

22 - 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped
23 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
24 - Fresh cilantro or mint leaves

# How To Make It:

01 - Cook brown rice or quinoa according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
02 - Preheat oven to 400°F or heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
03 - Toss tofu cubes with cornstarch and a pinch of salt until evenly coated on all sides.
04 - Drizzle tofu with olive oil and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy. Alternatively, pan-fry in skillet over medium-high heat until browned on all sides.
05 - Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, warm water, minced garlic, grated ginger, and chili flakes until smooth. Adjust consistency with additional water as needed.
06 - Julienne carrot, slice bell pepper thinly, shred purple cabbage, steam edamame if frozen and shell, slice cucumber, and thinly slice spring onions.
07 - Divide cooked grains equally among four bowls. Arrange tofu, carrot, bell pepper, cabbage, edamame, cucumber, and spring onions on top of each grain base.
08 - Drizzle peanut sauce generously over each bowl. Garnish with roasted peanuts, sesame seeds, and fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Nutrient-Dense: Packed with 20g of protein and fresh vegetables.
  • Diet-Friendly: A naturally vegan meal that is easily made gluten-free with tamari.
  • Textural Harmony: Features a perfect mix of crispy, crunchy, and creamy elements.
02 -
  • Tofu Prep: Pressing the tofu well to remove moisture is essential for achieving the best crispy texture during baking or frying.
  • Sauce Texture: If your peanut sauce is too thick, whisk in warm water one tablespoon at a time until it reaches a pourable consistency.
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