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Vegetarian, South and Southeast Asian

Tofu in tomato sauce with rice

Tofu in tomato sauce with rice is a vegetarian dish with Vietnamese flavors, serving 4, ready in 35 minutes, rated easy, at €2.30 per serving. The tofu is pan fried until golden, then simmered in a mild tomato sauce flavored with garlic and scallions. The key to success is drying the tofu thoroughly before frying, so it keeps a crust instead of falling apart.

Tonight, golden tofu simmered in a sweet, Vietnamese style tomato sauce with scallions, served with rice.

Tofu in tomato sauce with rice
Total time
35 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.30
Calories per person
490 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Pan fried tofu picks up a light crust before it simmers in a mild tomato sauce, seasoned with soy sauce and rounded out with a touch of sugar. Garlic and the white part of the scallions build the base of the sauce, while the green part is saved for freshness at the end. Jasmine rice soaks up this glossy sauce and rounds out the meal with very little effort.

This is a weeknight dinner that comes together in a single pan, ideal when you want a vegetarian meal without giving up on flavor. Kids tend to like it for its mild, familiar tomato sauce, and the golden tofu cubes are easy to scoop up with a spoon alongside the rice. It also works for a simple Sunday, meat free, without anyone missing it.

The ingredients

4 people

Dairy

  • Firm tofu 500 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Tomatoes 5
  • Scallions 4
  • Garlic 3 cloves

Pantry

  • Soy sauceoften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Sugaroften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Cornstarchoften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Jasmine riceoften in the pantry 300 g
  • Neutral oiloften in the pantry 6 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Soy

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the tofu into cubes and dry it well with a clean kitchen towel. 5 min

    Press it under a weighted plate for ten minutes so it loses its water.

  2. Brown the tofu cubes in hot oil on all sides, then set aside. 8 min

    Don't stir too soon, let the crust form before turning the cubes.

  3. In the same pan, sauté the white parts of the scallions and the garlic, then add the diced tomatoes and cook until they break down. 8 min

    Peel the tomatoes by blanching them first, the sauce will be smoother.

  4. Add the soy sauce, sugar and half a glass of water, return the tofu to the pan and let it simmer, then thicken with the cornstarch mixed with water. 8 min

    Taste the sauce, the sugar should just round out the tomato's acidity.

  5. Cook the jasmine rice and serve the tofu coated in sauce with the scallion greens on top. 12 min

    Sprinkle the scallion greens on at the last moment to keep them fresh.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a firm tofu and drain it well before cutting it, otherwise it will release too much water while cooking and won't brown properly.
  • Dice the tomatoes evenly so they all break down at the same pace and give you a smooth, consistent sauce.
  • Always mix the cornstarch with a little cold water before adding it to the hot sauce, to avoid lumps.

The variations

  • Swap the firm tofu for smoked tofu for a more flavorful version, keeping the rest of the recipe the same.
  • For extra heat, add a little minced fresh chili at the same time as the garlic.
  • For kids in a hurry, spoon the tomato sauce straight over short pasta instead of rice.

What to serve it with

  • Plain jasmine rice
  • Crisp cucumber salad on the side
  • Hot green tea

Storage

Tofu in tomato sauce keeps for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. It freezes well without the rice, for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in a pan or saucepan, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.

Questions about this dish

Can you use a different type of tofu instead of firm tofu?

Firm tofu is best since it holds its shape while cooking. Silken tofu would fall apart in the sauce, so it's better suited to other recipes.

Can you make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, the tomato sauce and tofu can be made the day before and reheated gently. Cook the rice just before serving so it stays fluffy.

Is this dish good for kids?

The mild, lightly seasoned tomato sauce usually appeals to kids. You can cut back on the garlic even more if your kids are sensitive to strong flavors.

Can you freeze this tofu in tomato sauce?

Yes, you can freeze it without the rice for up to 2 months in an airtight container. Thaw it in the refrigerator, then reheat gently in a pan.

How long does it take to make tofu simmered in tomato sauce with rice?

Count 35 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in tofu simmered in tomato sauce with rice?

About 490 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 tofu simmered in tomato sauce with rice cost?

About €2.30 per serving, or €9.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

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

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