Cashew Tofu Stir Fry Recipe. Vegan Cashew Delight Recipe with Tofu and Veggies. Use meat subs for variation. Easy One Pot weeknight meal. Serve with rice or grains of choice. Vegan Gluten-free Recipe. Pin this Recipe!
When I started my first job after grad school, I was in a new much larger city, with many options for lunches and dinners, many cuisines and types of restaurants. In those pre-gan & pre balance issues days, I tried to be open to trying out the new cuisines and new foods. Many times I was left disappointed. Coming from a mainly vegetarian, fresh food lifestyle (grew up eating mostly all Indian food with loads of beans and veggies), the eggs, cheese, overly used dairy products, meats etc felt stale to me. I learnt to like some of them because those were the options available at that time to someone in a new country, culture. Things have changed since then. More than decade has gone by, and I seek out more vegetarian and vegan restaurants because the restaurants that are vegan or vegetarian tend to have this freshness in the flavors of everything. Like something as simple as Thai food with sauces and curries. I liked thai before, but love it much more now. The fresh non meaty curries, non eggy/fishy sauces pack such a pleasing flavor that it makes me love the veggies in it. That probably is another reason I have started liking Tofu. Thai dishes are also easily flexible to your own preference. Have you had any changes in flavor preferences lately?
I love quick meals and this one is easy and quick to put together. It is my version of the Cashew delight or Cashew something from Thai restaurants. Toast the cashews, add the veggies and protein you like, add the sauces, cook for a few and serve.
More Thai Recipes from the blog
Cashew Tofu Stir Fry
Ingredients
For the Stir fry:
- 1 tsp oil
- 1/3 cup (43 g) cashews raw or unsalted roasted
- 4-5 (4 ) dried red chilies broken
- 4-5 cloves (4 cloves) of garlic finely chopped
- 1/2 inch (0.5 inch) ginger finely chopped
- 1/3 cup (53.33 g) chopped onion
- 1/2 (0.5 ) green bell pepper chopped or 3/4 cup broccoli or other vegetable thinly sliced or chopped
- 7-8 oz (198.45 g) firm or extra firm tofu pressed and cubed , or use cooked chickpeas to make tofu-free
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) black or white pepper or a generous dash of both
For the Sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp or more vegan hoisin sauce
- 2-3 tsp (2 tsp) rice wine vinegar
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) sugar or other sweetener of choice
- 1/4 cup (58.75 ml) veggie broth or water
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) toasted sesame oil
Instructions
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the cashews and chilies and cook until the cashews are golden on most sides. Stir frequently. If using roasted cashews, proceed to the next step and add garlic, ginger.
- Add garlic and ginger. Mix and cook for 2 minutes or until translucent.
- Add onions and veggies and a generous pinch of salt. Increase heat to medium high. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir frequently.
- Add the tofu and black pepper and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Meanwhile mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and add to the skillet. Or add directly to the skillet.
- Mix and cook for a minute. Taste and add salt, tang, (and heat) if needed.
- Simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Serve over cooked white/brown rice or grains of choice like quinoa..
Nutrition
Reading for the day:
The Safari Club is holding its annual convention in Vegas this week. If you were saddened by Cecil the Lion’s killing, watch this newsreport about the millions being bid in The Safari Club’s annual Killvention in Las Vegas, where you can bid on hunts to kill exotic animals all over the world. There’s literally millions of dollars, and seminars on justifying the hunts.
In Kerala, India, the temple Elephants, young and old, continue to suffer and die a painful death. Huffington Post covers the issues in this article about Elephant Abuse in Kerala finally gone criminal. The elephants are tortured for years, blinded, beaten, maimed and what not in the name of religious uses and entertainment.
From the article “After the elephants emerge from their musth, i.e. their heat period, It’s a secret tradition that involves seven or eight drunk men beating the living day lights out of this animal for 48-72 hours. The practice is based on a superstitious belief that the elephants may have forgotten their commands during their musth.
It’s a horrifying ritual designed to break the elephant’s spirit and remind them that their masters are in control.”
Val says
February 9, 2016 at 7:44 pmI had to make a substitution because I was missing an ingredient and still this was great!! Your directions were excellent, as always. Added a side of greens/broccoli with a little garlic. Thanks for dinner!!
(I can’t get the stars to work sorry)
Richa says
February 9, 2016 at 8:15 pmyay! the plugin people havent been helpful in fixing the stars. sigh.
Richa says
February 19, 2016 at 4:33 pmHey Val, what machine and browser are you using? I am trying to figure out the problem with the recipe plugin ratings.
Arthur in the Garden! says
February 10, 2016 at 7:25 amAll your recipes are so good!
Richa says
February 10, 2016 at 10:34 amthanks!
Nina says
February 10, 2016 at 9:07 amHi Richa! Looks tasty :-p What veg would you recommend to put with this? Thanks!
Richa says
February 10, 2016 at 10:34 amBroccoli and peppers should work. If you want to add cauliflower or other veggies, blanch or steam them until al dente and then add.
Nina says
February 10, 2016 at 1:29 pmThanks, Richa!
Cassie Tran says
February 10, 2016 at 9:50 amPeanuts are also an awesome addition to stir-fries! This sounds fantastic!
Richa says
February 10, 2016 at 10:35 amIndeed.
Ruth Eisenbud says
February 10, 2016 at 1:06 pmRecently the campaign to ban carriage horses in NYC received a stunning blow: compromise legislation recommended by mainstream animal organizations, the NYC Council, the press including the NYTIMES, and the carriage horse lobby did little to help end the violence suffered by the horses, forced to carry heavy loads, day in an day out, 7 days a week, for long hours in all kinds of weather. There are often accidents involving horses who spook, some are killed.
Tourist carriage horses (called victorias – a remnant of british rule) were banned in Delhi. And now they have all been banned in Mumbai. The times of India, run by a jain family lobbied for the ban and rejoiced when it was passed by the High Court. Animal organizations supported the ban as well.
The difference is due in large part to two different animal ethics. in the west the doctrine of dominion represents the prevailing view: animals may be violated, killed and exploited, with a cynical modicum of compassion. Indian animal organizations and the Times of India are influenced by doctrine ahimsa…. which prohibits violence to animals and humans alike.
Every night the NYC ACC issues its kill list of dogs to be killed in the morning. There are no kill lists in India, where even street dogs have the right to live. In fact it is against the law to kill a dog for anything other than extreme, untreatable illness or injury. A street dog in India has a better chance for life than a shelter dog in dog loving America. In the west a homeless dog is an inconvenience to be hermetically disposed of. They call it ‘euthanasia’… This euphemism takes the lives of 4-5 million healthy, young (even puppies) dogs/year. The difference again is due to dominion vs ahimsa.
While the plight of the temple elephants is terrible… India has organizations such as Wildlifes SOS India, with impeccable ethics to help end this injustice. With ahimsa as a baseline hope is always possible. With dominion – violence to animals is a sacred right which must be preserved, some times with trivial gestures of compassion, sometimes not.
I just wanted to give a more balanced picture of violence to animals in India… as compared to the USA…. because westerners see themselves as more enlightened. This is most definitely not the case.
“Always reflect on the burdens we have placed on fellow creatures, and how we can help them, not exploit them. We note with admiration how Indian rangers give a tiger mother a respectful funeral, in a pyre, with proper consternation written on their faces. How different from the usual Western exploitative attitude to so many creatures. For all her troubles and contradictions India remains a unique civilization with much to teach humanity about our place in the web of life”. — Patrice Greanville, Editor in Chief, The Greanville Post
Richa says
February 10, 2016 at 1:46 pmThank you Ruth. Yes both the countries handle the issues very differently. Even though the street dog killing is illegal in India, often there are large culls done illegally by very brutal methods. I know of the kill lists and find it hard to understant that this still happens and people still choose to buy, dump pets etc, rather than adopt.
With elephants in the US, nothing seems to move in the right direction for them, like ringling circuses moving them to another prison for research instead of sanctuary. While in India, there are some levels of bans of use of wild animals, but the implementation is not easy and is often close to impossible because of the intersection of religion, politics and other issues (People often get threatened and have to choose to save their own life). Each has their own views and ways of exploitation. There are sets of good people and organizations in both places, but they all need a larger support from everyone of us.
Ruth Eisenbud says
February 11, 2016 at 12:38 amThank you for responding to my concerns.
At the very least the anti cruelty laws are on the side of the animals in India. As you note there needs to be better enforcement… but most of the excellent laws in India are impossible in the USA.
The capture, confinement and performance training of cetaceans is completely banned in every state in India. There are no SeaWorlds in India. There is a basic understanding that these animals do not exist to perform for humans. There are no such bans in the USA… for dominion must always endorse the human right to control and kill animals.
The import, production and sale of foie gras is banned in every state in India. Here foie gras is ‘off again on again’ on the table…. Chicago banned foie gras but the ban was overturned. In almost all US cities foie gras is on the menu.
With regard to the street dogs in India, I would recommend a book by Eloise Leyden, who spent a year in India observing their lives. In ‘Slum Dogs of India’ Leyden notes that the vast majority remain unharmed by the population, they live naturally in small packs and most manage to get by, sometimes with aid from kind persons and sometimes from animal organizations that spay, neuter and vaccinate them against rabies. and treat the wounded or sick.
I think it is unfair to blame the public for not adopting for the many kill shelters of the west. While adopting would save more lives, it would not end the underlying problem. There is definitely a different ethic at play in India, which seeks to preserve animal lives, rather then destroy them when animals become an inconvenience.
While it is true that there are cruel individuals everywhere, more progress is possible when ahimsa forms the basis for animal compassion.
Heidi says
February 11, 2016 at 3:39 pmMade this for dinner tonight and it was excellent!
Richa says
February 11, 2016 at 3:43 pmAwesome!
Nams says
April 22, 2016 at 11:59 amHI what is a good substitute for Hoisin sauce?
Richa says
April 22, 2016 at 12:46 pmmake your own with whatever you have on hand from the ingredients http://www.food.com/recipe/homemade-hoisin-sauce-312992
Muchi says
May 2, 2016 at 9:50 pmYummy! So authentic tasting. I made it with broccoli in place of the the green pepper and it was just delicious. Thanks, Richa! I’m so glad I discovered your blog. You’re my new hero.
Richa says
May 2, 2016 at 11:17 pmI am super happy you found me ! <3 <3
Sandy says
July 7, 2016 at 8:49 amNot only do I thank you for your incredibly tasty recipes, but also for making smaller servings since I live alone. That way I get two meals and don’t have any waste. You are so generous and creative. Much of what I eat is from your recipes.
Ashley says
August 28, 2016 at 2:43 amCan you sub chickpea for soy tofu? Would it go well with the asian flavors? I’m so sad to hear about what’s happening to animals here and abroad, it makes me feel sick to my stomach. I know everyone can do little things to help but it never seems like enough.
Richa says
August 28, 2016 at 11:20 amYes you can sub chickpea flour tofu in this recipe. In general chickpea flour tofu needs slightly stronger flavors to mask the chickpea flour. So thicker strong flavor sauces work well or curries. It works well in stir frys where it is not heated for longer periods of time. Toss the cubed chickpea flour tofu liberally in cornstarch before adding it. Add more vegan hoisin sauce if needed.
Arielle says
October 31, 2016 at 10:59 amthis was delicious! it has the perfect amount of spice and flavor and the small serving size is perfect for college living! thank you!
Isabella says
February 23, 2018 at 9:13 pmI make this often for myself and my husband! Sometimes I switch it up by adding in broccoli or another green vegetable and it always tastes amazing. I love that this recipe has simple to find ingredients and is quick to throw together. Thank you!!!
Edith Tsacle says
May 29, 2018 at 6:16 pmI love all your recipes and your book! I’m anxious to try this recipe–I know it will be awesome like all your others.
I also like your ethics. It’s just heartbreaking the atrocities that go on in this world in the name of religion, traditions, power, ignorance or whatever. We will get our karma soon… Unfortunately all the innocent beautiful living beings and good people will not escape it but our planet will heal, recover and transform like it has many times in it’s millions-year history.
Annie says
June 3, 2018 at 3:48 pmThis didn’t turn out well, but it was my fault! Too much heat and tang for my tastes. I will try again and dial down ginger, pepper, and vinegar. Advice for others who might be like me is to start light with these ingredients and add more later if needed. I did try to correct it with more sugar, but still not right. Now I know/. I will say the cashews were lovely in this.
Richa says
June 3, 2018 at 7:36 pmhmm, Maybe the hoisin sauce was tangier adding tot he overall tang? Yes start with less. You can add more veggies and a bit more soy sauce to balance out the dish.
Roshini says
March 2, 2019 at 8:33 pmSoooo happy I found your blog, Richa! I’ve tried your palak tofu, and this is next on my list. Thanks so much for the fun and easy recipes! ^_^
Much love,
Rosh
Richa says
March 2, 2019 at 9:00 pmThanks!
Lokesh says
May 28, 2020 at 11:34 pmCan I used crushed red chili (flakes) instead of dried red chilies?
Richa says
May 29, 2020 at 6:23 amYes don’t use a lot
Rachel says
June 30, 2020 at 4:53 pmI find reading recipes from my laptop while I’m cooking really hard because the only room for it is on the floor, and I have to bend down to read every so often because my 20/20 vision and 5’3” height refuse to combine into a superpower. So I tried to work around that by memorizing this recipe. First, I physically wrote it down to engrave it in my brain, then, ran to my kitchen and did everything to the best of my ability, which nearly worked precisely, but I forgot the tofu which I have been pressing for hours in advance. Well. I have enough leftover ingredients to make this again tomorrow and I look forward to it!
TLDR I forgot the tofu but will make it again tomorrow
Vegan Richa Support says
July 1, 2020 at 8:50 amWow, what a great memory! Oops, that’s ok… now you have more tomorrow!