Achieve wellness, one bite at a time

Tag: gluten free recipes

Crispy Tofu & Veggie Stir-Fry with Creamy Cashew-Almond Sauce

Crispy Tofu & Veggie Stir-Fry with Creamy Cashew-Almond Sauce

Crispy Tofu & Veggie Stir-Fry with Creamy Cashew-Almond Sauce

This colorful plant-based stir-fry checks all the boxes: crispy tofu, plenty of vegetables, satisfying plant protein, fiber, healthy fats and a creamy savory sauce.
The tofu gets tossed with arrowroot starch and air-fried until crisp—giving you that restaurant-style texture without deep frying. Red cabbage, snow peas and carrots add crunch, color and fiber, while a creamy cashew-almond butter sauce pulls everything together.
Serve it as is for a lighter meal or over brown rice, quinoa or another whole grain for a more substantial dinner.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 14- ounce block extra-firm tofu drained and pressed
  • 1½ tablespoons arrowroot starch
  • 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil
  • 3 cups thinly sliced red cabbage
  • 2 cups snow peas
  • 1½ cups shredded carrots
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons black sesame seeds
  • 2 scallions thinly sliced, optional
  • 2 tablespoons natural cashew butter
  • 2 tablespoons natural almond butter
  • 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 2 –4 tablespoons warm water to thin
  • ½ teaspoon sriracha or chili-garlic sauce optional

Method
 

  1. Prepare the tofu. Pat the pressed tofu dry and cut it into approximately 1-inch cubes. Place in a bowl and gently toss with tamari and sesame oil. Sprinkle with the arrowroot starch and black pepper and toss again until the tofu is lightly and evenly coated.
  2. Air-fry until crispy. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the tofu in a single layer, leaving some space between the pieces. Air-fry for 12–15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the tofu is golden and crisp.
  3. Make the sauce. Whisk together the cashew butter, almond butter, tamari, rice vinegar, lime juice, sesame oil, honey or maple syrup, ginger and optional sriracha. Add warm water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce is smooth and pourable. Set aside.
  4. Stir-fry the vegetables. Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the red cabbage and cook for about 2 minutes. Add the snow peas and carrots and stir-fry for another 2–3 minutes. You want the vegetables brightly colored and crisp-tender rather than overly soft.
  5. Add the garlic. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly.
  6. Bring everything together. Reduce the heat to low. Add the crispy tofu to the skillet, followed by about three-quarters of the cashew-almond sauce. Toss gently until the tofu and vegetables are coated. Add additional sauce as desired.
  7. Finish. Sprinkle with black sesame seeds and optional scallions. Serve immediately.

Notes

Estimated Nutrition Facts

Per serving, based on 4 servings and excluding rice or other grains:
  • Calories: ~380
  • Protein: ~19 g
  • Carbohydrates: ~27 g
  • Dietary Fiber: ~7 g
  • Total Fat: ~24 g
  • Saturated Fat: ~3.5 g
  • Total Sugars: ~9 g
  • Sodium: ~600 mg
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary based on the tofu, nut butter and tamari brands used.
Dark Chocolate-Dipped Energy Cookies

Dark Chocolate-Dipped Energy Cookies

Dark Chocolate-Dipped Energy Cookies

Skip the high-sugar, low-fiber packaged energy bars and make a batch of these nutrient-dense breakfast cookies instead.
Naturally sweetened with banana and dates, these cookies combine whole-grain oats, nuts, seeds and natural peanut butter for a satisfying combination of fiber, healthy fats and plant-based protein. One end gets dipped in dark chocolate for just enough indulgence without turning them into a sugar-loaded dessert.
They're easy to grab on your way out the door, pack in a lunchbox, or enjoy as an afternoon or pre-workout snack. They're also a great make-ahead option for busy mornings.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: baked goods, Dessert, Snack
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ cups rolled oats
  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
  • 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
  • ¼ cup chopped almonds
  • ¼ cup chopped walnuts
  • ⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon chopped dates
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ¼ cup natural peanut butter
  • 1 medium ripe banana mashed
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 ounces 70–85% dark chocolate chopped
  • ½ teaspoon coconut oil optional, for a smoother chocolate coating

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven. Heat oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
    Combine the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, pumpkin seeds, ground flaxseed, almonds, walnuts, dates, chia seeds, cinnamon and salt.
    Combine the wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, mash the banana well. Add the peanut butter and honey and stir until smooth.
    Make the dough. Add the banana mixture to the oat mixture and stir until everything is evenly incorporated. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes so the oats, flax and chia can absorb some of the moisture.
    Shape the cookies. Divide the mixture into 15 portions and place on the prepared baking sheet. Use your hands or the back of a spoon to firmly press each portion into a cookie about ½-inch thick. These cookies won't spread much during baking, so shape them before they go into the oven.
    Bake. Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Cool completely before dipping.
    Melt the chocolate. Place the dark chocolate and optional coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until just melted and smooth.
    Dip. Dip one end of each cooled cookie into the melted dark chocolate, allowing any excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl.
    Set. Return the cookies to the parchment-lined baking sheet and allow the chocolate to set completely. For faster setting, refrigerate for about 10–15 minutes.

Notes

Estimated Nutrition Facts

Per cookie, based on 15 cookies:
  • Calories: ~140
  • Protein: ~4 g
  • Carbohydrates: ~17 g
  • Dietary Fiber: ~3 g
  • Total Fat: ~8 g
  • Saturated Fat: ~2 g
  • Total Sugars: ~7 g
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the brands of peanut butter and dark chocolate used and the size of the banana and dates.