The Secret Street

This sticky sesame tofu is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and coated in a rich, tangy-sweet sauce that hits all the right notes. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it’s packed with flavor and totally plant-based. I love pairing it with red rice and quinoa, plus a side of garlic green beans for a well-balanced, delicious meal.

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🍽 Servings: 2

⏱ Prep & Cook Time: 25 minutes

🥦 Plant-Based, Vegan, Dairy-Free

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🧄 Ingredients

For the tofu:

• 1 block (approx. 280g) firm tofu, cut into bite-sized cubes
• 2 tbsp corn starch
• 🧂 Salt to taste
• ½ tbsp neutral oil (e.g. canola, sunflower)

For the sticky sesame sauce:

• 2 tbsp 🍅 ketchup
• 2 tbsp 🧂 soy sauce
• 2 tbsp 🍁 maple syrup (or any syrup/sugar of choice)
• 2 tbsp 🍚 rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp 🌿 sesame oil
• 1 tbsp ⚪ sesame seeds (+ extra for garnish)

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prep the tofu:
   Gently press the tofu to remove excess moisture. Cut into cubes and toss with corn starch and a pinch of salt until evenly coated.
2. Pan-fry:
   Heat ½ tbsp oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Fry the tofu cubes until all sides are golden and crispy (about 8–10 minutes).
3. Make the sauce:
   In a small bowl, mix together ketchup, soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.
4. Combine:
   Lower the heat and pour the sauce over the tofu. Stir gently to coat all the pieces. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens and sticks to the tofu.
5. Garnish:
   Sprinkle with extra sesame seeds before serving.

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🍚 What to Serve With

I love serving this tofu with:

• 🍛 Red rice & quinoa – for a hearty, nutty base.
• 🥬 Garlic green beans – simply sautéed in olive oil with minced garlic for a crunchy, savory side.

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So simple, so satisfying. Are you gonna try it? 😋✨