Stir Fry Veggies & Roasted Tofu in Garlic Sauce

Garlic Sauce

• Combine rice vinegar, sugar, tamari, mirin, and ½ teaspoon sesame oil in a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, stirring to combine. (this is the sauce base)
• In a separate small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in water.
• Heat 2 tablespoons sesame oil over medium heat in a saucepan. Add the garlic and cook, stirring until fragrant (around 30 seconds).
• Re-stir the sauce base, add it to the saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring. (This will take about a minute).
• NOTE: If marinating tofu, take a spoonful or two at this point to marinate tofu.
• Re-stir the cornstarch- water mixture and add it to the sauce a little at a time (stirring as to combine) until it is a desired thickness-- it will thicken quickly as it heats up.
• Transfer to a bowl or liquid measuring cup and set aside until ready to use.
• NOTE: Garlic sauce will thicken, especially if you make ahead. It will thin out as you heat it up. Can always add a touch of warm water and stir it if in want a thinner sauce.

Roasted Tofu

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. (Bake at 400 or 425 degrees for less crispy tofu)
• In a medium bowl, place tofu and gently mix with a few spoonfuls of garlic sauce (before adding the corn starch) and let sit for about 5-10 minutes. Save extra sauce for serving.
• Lay tofu cubes in single layer on prepared baking sheet. Roast tofu for 10 minutes, flip it, then roast another 5 minutes until golden brown (it will also puff up a bit).
• Set aside. Can be made ahead and heated up when time to serve.

Stir Fry

• In a large skillet, over medium high heat, add 2-3 tablespoons sesame oil and heat until shimmering but not burning. Add white part of onions and saute a minute or two until just tender.
• Add eggplant and saute 5-7 minutes until starting to get tender. Add broccolini and pepper, cook an additional 2-3 minutes. Cook longer for softer vegetables.
• Add the garlic sauce to the sauteed vegetables and stir to combine. Heat 2-3 minutes until warm.
• Serve over rice with tofu. Garnish with green parts of green onion.

NOTE: To keep the veggies separate in this photo, I sautéed them each separately. First the eggplant, then set aside; then the pepper and broccolini. Then added the additional sauce on top of the veggie after plating them.