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Vegetarian, East Asian

Smoked tofu and celery stir fry with rice

Smoked tofu and celery stir fry is a vegetarian dish for 4 people, ready in 25 minutes, rated easy, for €2.00 per person. The key to success is cooking over high heat, which keeps the celery crunchy and gives the tofu crisp edges, lifted by chili and soy sauce.

Tonight, a simple Chinese style stir fry, crunchy celery and smoked tofu with chili, served over rice.

Smoked tofu and celery stir fry with rice
Total time
25 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.00
Calories per person
480 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall, Spring, Summer

Celery brings a clean crunch and a slightly green taste that a quick stir fry over high heat keeps intact. Smoked tofu, sliced thin and browned on its own, gets crisp edges and a flavor that pairs well with chili and soy sauce. Together, carrots, garlic and chili build a simple stir fry with real character, far from a bland plate of steamed vegetables.

This is an ideal weeknight dinner when you want a meal that's light on ingredients but not on flavor, with no meat and no fuss. It all comes together in one pan while the rice cooks alongside, perfect for a night you get home late. It works best for older kids or adults who like a bit of heat, since smoked tofu and raw celery can surprise younger palates.

The ingredients

4 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Smoked tofu 300 g
  • Celery stalks 6
  • Carrots 2
  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Fresh chili or chili flakes 1

Pantry

  • Soy sauceoften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Rice vinegaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Riceoften in the pantry 300 g
  • Neutral oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Sesame oiloften in the pantry 1 tsp

Allergens Soy, Gluten

The step by step recipe

  1. Start the rice cooking in salted water. 12 min

    Drain it well, rice that's too wet weighs down the stir fry.

  2. Cut the smoked tofu into thin slices, the celery on the diagonal and the carrots into sticks.

    Slices about 5 mm thick give nice golden edges in the pan.

  3. Brown the tofu in half the oil over high heat, then set it aside. 5 min

    Don't stir it for the first two minutes, it needs that time to crisp underneath.

  4. Stir fry the carrots, celery, garlic and chili in the remaining oil for 4 minutes, keeping them crunchy. 4 min

    Use a very hot pan and small batches, otherwise the vegetables release water.

  5. Add the tofu back in, stir in the soy sauce, vinegar and sesame oil, mix and serve over the rice.

    Add the vinegar last, it brightens the sauce and wakes up the smoky flavor.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pat the tofu dry with paper towels before browning it, it will crisp up better and won't splatter the oil.
  • Prep all the vegetables before you turn on the heat, a stir fry moves fast and won't wait while you're still cutting celery.
  • If you don't have rice vinegar, a squeeze of lemon juice at the end gives a similar lift.

The variations

  • Swap the smoked tofu for plain tofu marinated a few minutes in soy sauce and smoked paprika.
  • For a milder version, skip the chili and stir a spoonful of honey into the sauce.
  • To save time, use precooked rice reheated for 2 minutes in a pan while you finish the stir fry.

What to serve it with

  • A clear ginger broth
  • Warm salted edamame
  • Plain green tea

Storage

This stir fry keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. Reheat it in a hot pan for a few minutes to bring back some crunch, the microwave makes the celery too soft. Freezing isn't recommended, celery loses its texture.

Questions about this dish

Can you use regular tofu instead of smoked tofu?

Yes, use firm plain tofu and marinate it for 10 minutes in a little soy sauce and smoked paprika before browning it. The flavor will be milder but the texture stays the same.

How do you cut celery so it cooks fast and stays crunchy?

Slice the stalks on the diagonal, about 5 millimeters thick. This cut increases the surface touching the pan and helps it catch the sauce.

Can you prep this dish ahead of time for dinner?

You can slice all the vegetables and the tofu ahead and keep them in the fridge. It's best to cook the stir fry right before serving though, to keep the celery crunchy.

Is the chili essential to this recipe?

No, you can leave it out entirely if you're cooking for kids or sensitive palates. The dish still has plenty of flavor from the smoked tofu, garlic and soy sauce.

How long does it take to make a smoked tofu and celery stir fry with rice?

Count 25 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a smoked tofu and celery stir fry with rice?

About 480 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a smoked tofu and celery stir fry with rice cost?

About €2.00 per serving, or €8.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains soy, gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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