Crispy golden tofu, a rainbow of fresh vegetables, and a peanut-lime sauce that you will want to put on everything. This bowl is satisfying, high in protein, and comes together in under 30 minutes. The sauce keeps for a week in the fridge, which makes it one of the best meal prep investments you can make.
Ingredients
Makes 1 serving
Base
- 150g cooked jasmine rice or quinoa
Protein
- 200g extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Vegetables
- 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
- 1/2 cup shelled edamame, thawed
- 1 medium carrot, julienned or shredded
- 1/2 cucumber, sliced thin
Peanut-Lime Sauce
- 2 tbsp natural peanut butter
- 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp maple syrup or honey
- 1 to 2 tbsp warm water to thin
To finish
- Fresh coriander
- Crushed peanuts
Method
Crisp the tofu
Press tofu well and cut into cubes. Toss with cornstarch, soy sauce, and sesame oil. The cornstarch is the key step here. It creates a light coating that crisps up beautifully in the pan. Pan-fry on medium-high heat without moving it too often until deeply golden on all sides, about 10 to 12 minutes total.
Make the sauce
Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, sesame oil, and maple syrup. Add warm water one tablespoon at a time until it reaches a drizzleable consistency. Taste and adjust lime or soy to your preference.
Assemble
Start with your grain base. Arrange the cabbage, edamame, carrot, and cucumber around the bowl. Place the crispy tofu on top. Drizzle generously with peanut sauce and finish with fresh coriander and crushed peanuts.
Meal Prep Notes
- The peanut sauce keeps in the fridge for up to a week. Store it separately and add just before eating.
- Tofu can be cooked ahead and re-crisped in a dry pan for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.
- Pre-shred the cabbage and carrot at the start of the week to cut assembly time to under 5 minutes.
- Keep cucumber separate until serving so it does not release water into the bowl.
Why It Works
- Cornstarch coating on the tofu creates crispiness without deep frying.
- Edamame alongside tofu boosts both protein and fiber in a single bowl.
- Purple cabbage and carrot add crunch and a wide range of micronutrients.
- Natural peanut butter in the sauce provides healthy fats and makes the bowl genuinely filling.