Stir-Fried Vegetables and Crispy Tofu: And the countdown begins

And so it is...in fewer than 40 days, I will be 40 years old.  I haven't even really had time to think about it in the past few months because life and all that it has to offer has been WAY TOO HECTIC!!  So suddenly, what is supposed to be some great big milestone birthday - has become nothing much but another day.  I'm okay with that.

I don't want my birthday to be about turning FORTY, but rather about gaining a year of maturity.  The past year has taught me much spiritually, emotionally, and physically, and it's been a good year.  I hope that my 40th year is another where I can achieve new things in all arenas of my life, motherhood, my walk with God, my relationship with my Husband, and my growth as a woman.

I'm not sad I'm turning 40.  Hopefully I won't be sad turning 41 either.  That's the goal.

In light of finding delight in who I am, I thought we could all find delight in this mix of vegetables and crispy tofu.  I ate a HUGE helping of it, and I wasn't sad about that either.  It is filling, interesting with all of its mix of textures and really satisfying with a bowl of rice.  (which I didn't have sadly.)  I love everything in it, and I am going to make it again.  Maybe tomorrow.

Stir-Fried Vegetables and Crispy Tofu
adapted from Chop, Sizzle, and Stir by Nadia Armugam
Serves 4

Ingredients
14 oz firm tofu, cut into 1 inch cubes
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 garlic cloves, crushed
6 oz small broccoli florets
6 oz sugar snap peas
6 oz snow peas
1 large carrot, cut into matchsticks
1 red or yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into match sticks
3 to 5 oz can water chestnuts, drained and sliced
3 to 6 oz canned sliced bamboo shoots, drained and rinsed

Sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
½ cup vegetable or chicken stock

Method
In a small bowl, make sauce. Start by mixing cornstarch with cold water. Once it is blended, then add rest of ingredients. Set aside until needed.

Sprinkle tofu cubes with a bit of salt and pepper.

In a heavy fry pan or wok, heat oil until hot. Add tofu and cook carefully, browning each side until golden brown. When the tofu is very wet, this takes time, but as you cook it, you will evaporate more of the water in the tofu and it will brown quicker. The first side always takes the longest time. Be patient. Remove tofu and drain on paper towels. (You can use one fry pan for the tofu and  another for the vegetables if you like.)

Add garlic to the wok and stir-fry for 1 minute, or until golden. Add broccoli, sugar snap peas, snow peas, carrot, and bell pepper with a sprinkle of water, and stir-fry over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Finally add water chestnuts and bamboo shoots.

Pour the sauce into the wok and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 2 minutes, or until sauce has thickened. Serve with rice.

Printable recipe