Say hello to my new favorite weeknight dinner recipe – Thai Basil Tofu Stir fry! Crispy, saucy, and packed with flavor, this Stir-fry tofu is a quick and easy dinner the whole family will love. September is National Cholesterol Awareness Month. A clinical study showed Mazola® Corn Oil reduces cholesterol 2x more than extra virgin olive oil. To learn more about this claim, visit Mazola.com.
Plus, it’s one of those recipes that appear as if it requires a lot of effort, but in fact, it demands very little hands-on work and comes together in less than 40 minutes. Are you convinced yet? I certainly hope so because this Thai basil tofu stir fry is calling your name. Mazola Corn Oil has more cholesterol-blocking plant sterols than other cooking oils – four times more than extra virgin olive oil and one and a half times more than canola oil. Clinical studies indicate that when consumed as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, plant sterols can help reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the gut.
» Mazola – I have used Mazola Corn Oil because it’s an all-purpose cooking oil that is a heart-healthy* choice for your family. It can be used in a variety of ways such as baking, grilling, sautéing, stir-frying, or mixing up a marinade or dressing. Visit Mazola.com for more information and recipes. » Tofu – An excellent source of plant-based protein and is a rich source of iron and calcium. Use extra-firm tofu because it retains its shape. On its own, tofu taste bland, but when combined with other ingredients and flavorful sauces, it absorbs the flavors from the seasonings it’s cooked in. » Tamari – Gluten-free option. You can use low-sodium soy sauce instead. » Garlic -Ginger paste – fresh is the best. Adds tons of flavor. » Brown sugar – to sweeten the sauce. You can substitute it with maple syrup or honey. » Sriracha – extra spice to balance the sweet and tangy flavor. » Vegetarian Mushroom oyster sauce – This sauce is made from mushroom instead of oysters, and it adds a nice touch to this Thai basil tofu. » Onions – I have used red onions. You can use white or yellow onions too. » Bell pepper – Among all the kinds, I find red bell peppers the best for this Thai basil tofu stir fry. » Green beans – for extra crunch and nutrition. » Thai Basil – the star ingredient. This is where all the flavor comes from.
In a small bowl, whisk all the sauce ingredients until combined. Set it aside.
Step 2 – How to press a tofu block? Unwrap the tofu from its package and drain the excess liquid. Wrap the block of tofu in between two kitchen paper towels. Place a heavy object on top to drain any excess liquid. Allow the tofu to press for 15 minutes under this heavy object. The extra liquid will drain away. After the rest time, unwrap the tofu block. Chop the pressed tofu into small cubes.
Add the chopped tofu to a large bowl and add cornstarch. Toss to coat. Make sure every tofu piece is well coated in cornstarch. Add Mazola Corn Oil to a large skillet. Add tofu pieces and cook on medium heat until crisp and slightly brown. It should take 5-6 minutes. Once cooked, remove from heat and set aside.
Step 4- Cook the vegetables and assemble everything Add Mazola Corn Oil to the same skillet. Once its hot, add chopped green beans to the skillet and cook for a minute. Do not overcook. Add ginger and garlic paste — cook for 2-3 minutes. Add chopped onions to the pan. Cook for a minute. Next, add bell peppers. Stir to combine.
Finally, add the crispy tofu bites and basil leaves. Toss everything together and cook for another 2 minutes on low heat. Once done, remove from heat. Serve it over a bowl full of white jasmine rice, and it is simply outstanding – a delicious meal that is guaranteed to impress the biggest of tofu-haters!
» You can bake tofu bites in an air fryer too. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until crisp and brown. » For crispier tofu – you can broil it for a minute until brown. » Not a tofu fan? Well, in that case, you can substitute tofu for Indian cottage cheese, Paneer (non-vegan option). » Like it saucy? Add more vegetarian mushroom oyster sauce and tamari to the Thai basil tofu stir fry. » Don’t have vegetarian mushroom oyster sauce? No problem, replace it with hoisin sauce. » Feel free to supplement this Thai basil tofu stir fry with any other vegetables of choice such as broccoli, snap peas, carrots, or water chestnuts for extra crunch. Let me know in the comments if you try this recipe. Feel free to contact me with any questions or inquiries, and I would be happy to answer them. See Mazola.com for more information on the relationship between corn oil and heart health.
