Vegan Pepper Steak With Onions - DrNewMed Healthy Recipes for Healthy Eating

Vegan Pepper Steak With Onions made with Butler soy curls, sliced bell pepper, and flavourful onions in a brown sauce inspired by Asian cuisine. Serve over rice for one of the easiest, tastiest, healthiest, and most memorable meals.

Ingredients

1 block (about 14 oz) firm tofu, drained and pressed
2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch piece of fresh ginger, grated
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup vegetable broth
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce (or any other vegan stir-fry sauce)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave syrup
1 tablespoon sesame oil
Crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for added heat)
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh cilantro or green onions for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Cut the pressed tofu into bite-sized cubes and place them in a bowl.
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce (or tamari) and cornstarch to make a slurry. Pour this mixture over the tofu cubes and gently toss to coat them evenly.
In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the tofu cubes to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, flipping them occasionally, until they are golden brown and slightly crispy. Remove the tofu from the skillet and set it aside.
In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the sliced onions and bell peppers to the skillet, and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until they start to soften.
Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the tomato paste to the other side. Cook the tomato paste for a minute or so to caramelize it slightly.
Mix the vegetables and tomato paste together in the skillet. Pour in the vegetable broth, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup (or agave syrup), and sesame oil. If desired, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for added heat.
Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for a few minutes until it thickens slightly.
Add the cooked tofu cubes back to the skillet, tossing them with the vegetables and the sauce.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve the Vegan Pepper Steak with Onions hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or green onions if desired. It pairs well with steamed rice or noodles.