Quick Meal Series: the best way to use up the vegetables going off in the shared fridge

I know, I know. Somebody told you that tofu was flavourless and boring and you believed them - but they were just wrong! I’m not vegan, but tofu lasts forever and this is one of my favourite speedy recipes that uses shelf stable sauces and all of the vegetables you have going off in your fridge. This recipe is inspired by RecipeTinEats (who always has fantastic recipes if you haven’t checked her out).

Ingredients

Veggies:

• Half an onion
• Garlic
• Any vegetables you have going off in your fridge!

Other:

• A block of firm tofu (or minced meat or Quorn)

For the sauce:

• 1tsp cornflour
• 3tbsp water
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tsp dark soy sauce
• 1 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce or a vegetarian alternative
• 1 tsp oil (sesame, if you have it)
• 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp of either grated ginger or garlic

To finish:

• Peanuts or Graze
• Serve over rice, your carb of choice, or my favourite option: lettuce wraps.

Now, onto the method.

1. Mix the ingredients for the sauce: start with 1 tsp cornflour with 3 tbsp water until a paste forms. Then add 2 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tsp dark soy sauce, 1 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce or a vegetarian alternative, 1 tsp oil (sesame, if you have it) and 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine. Finally, add 1 tsp sugar and 1 tsp of either grated ginger or garlic and stir until well combined.
2. Chop all of your veggies into equal size pieces. Essential veggies are half an onion and garlic, but everything else can be whatever other vegetables you have. I like to use carrot, mushroom and something green (like green beans), but genuinely anything would work. I’ve used courgette, pepper and broccoli too. Fry over a high heat in your oil of choice until slightly softened.
3. Crumble in a block of firm tofu and fry until it gets little crispy edges. You could also use minced meat or Quorn. Pour in the sauce and stir until thickened, about a minute.
4. Serve over rice, your carb of choice, or my favourite option: lettuce wraps. Sprinkle over something crunchy, like peanuts or Graze, and finally some spring onion.

You can read more of the Quick Meal series by searching Quick Meals on The Courier Online.