Description
This vibrant Tofu Buddha Bowl with Peanut Sauce is a nutritious and flavorful meal combining crispy pan-fried tofu, fluffy quinoa, fresh vegetables, and a creamy, tangy peanut sauce. Perfect for a wholesome lunch or dinner, this plant-based bowl offers a balance of textures and tastes, featuring steamed broccoli, julienned carrots, avocado slices, shredded cabbage, and toasted sesame seeds, all drizzled with a rich homemade peanut dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 block firm tofu
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup steamed broccoli
- 1 medium carrot
- 1 avocado
- 1/4 cup shredded cabbage
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Peanut Sauce
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Drain and Press Tofu: Start by draining the block of firm tofu and pressing it to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve a crispier texture when cooked.
- Cube the Tofu: Cut the tofu into approximately 1-inch cubes for even cooking.
- Heat Olive Oil: In a large pan over medium heat, heat the olive oil to prepare for frying the tofu.
- Cook Tofu: Add the tofu cubes to the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until all sides become golden and crispy.
- Season Tofu: Add soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic powder to the tofu, stirring to coat every piece evenly.
- Finish Cooking Tofu: Continue cooking the tofu with the seasonings for another 1-2 minutes to absorb the flavors, then remove the pan from heat and set the tofu aside.
- Cook Quinoa: In a separate pot, cook the quinoa according to package instructions until fluffy and tender.
- Fluff Quinoa: Once cooked, fluff the quinoa with a fork and set aside to cool slightly.
- Steam Broccoli: Steam the broccoli florets until tender, around 4-5 minutes, then set aside.
- Prepare Carrot: Peel and julienne the carrot into thin strips for fresh texture and color.
- Slice Avocado: Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and slice it into thin wedges for creaminess.
- Prepare Cabbage: Place shredded cabbage into a small bowl and set aside for assembly.
- Chop Cilantro: Finely chop the cilantro and set aside as a garnish.
- Toast Sesame Seeds: In a dry pan over medium heat, toast the sesame seeds for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until lightly golden and fragrant.
- Make Peanut Sauce: Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, lime juice, grated ginger, and water in a small bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Adjust Sauce Seasoning: Taste the peanut sauce and modify the flavor by adding more soy sauce, lime juice, or water as needed to reach your preferred consistency and balance.
- Assemble Bowl: Start by placing a serving of cooked quinoa at the base of each bowl.
- Add Vegetables and Tofu: Top the quinoa with steamed broccoli, julienned carrots, avocado slices, shredded cabbage, and the cooked tofu cubes.
- Drizzle Peanut Sauce: Generously drizzle the peanut sauce over all the assembled ingredients in the bowl.
- Garnish: Sprinkle chopped cilantro and toasted sesame seeds on top for added flavor and crunch.
- Serve: Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors and textures of this wholesome Tofu Buddha Bowl with Peanut Sauce.
Notes
- Pressing the tofu is important to remove excess water and achieve crispy tofu.
- You can substitute quinoa with brown rice or another grain of your choice.
- Adjust peanut sauce thickness by adding more or less water as needed.
- For added heat, consider sprinkling red pepper flakes or adding a dash of sriracha to the peanut sauce.
- This recipe is vegan and gluten-free if using gluten-free soy sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but avocado should be added fresh to prevent browning.