Ingredients:

For the Stir-Fry Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (for a vegan option)
• 1-2 teaspoons cornstarch (to thicken the sauce)

For the Tofu Stir-Fry:

• 14 oz (400g) extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (such as bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, snap peas, and mushrooms), cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, minced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (such as sesame or peanut oil)
• Cooked rice or noodles for serving
• Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

For the Stir-Fry Sauce:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and honey (or maple syrup for a vegan version). Adjust the sweetness and saltiness to your taste.

2. To thicken the sauce, mix 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch with a small amount of water to create a slurry. Add the slurry to the sauce and whisk to combine. Set the sauce aside.

For the Tofu Stir-Fry:

1. Prepare the Tofu:

   • Remove the tofu from its packaging and place it between paper towels or clean kitchen towels. Press the tofu to remove excess moisture. You can use a tofu press or place a heavy object on top of the tofu for about 15-30 minutes.
   • Once pressed, cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes.

2. Cook the Tofu:

   • Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the tofu cubes and stir-fry until they become golden and crispy on all sides. This may take about 10-15 minutes. Remove the tofu from the pan and set it aside.

3. Stir-Fry the Vegetables:

   • In the same pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add minced garlic and ginger and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
   • Add the mixed vegetables and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until they become tender-crisp.

4. Combine and Sauce:

   • Return the cooked tofu to the pan with the vegetables.
   • Pour the stir-fry sauce over the tofu and vegetables. Stir to coat everything with the sauce.

5. Simmer and Thicken:

   • Let the mixture simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens.

6. Serve:

   • Serve your tofu stir-fry over cooked rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired.

Tofu stir-fry is a versatile dish, and you can customize it with your favorite vegetables and noodles or rice. It's a healthy and delicious meal that's suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Enjoy!