A colourful plate bursting with red, yellow, and green bell peppers mixed with golden crispy tofu chunks. The dish is sprinkled with sesame seeds for a crunchy texture and garnished with fresh cilantro leaves for a pop of green. Lime wedges on the side add a vibrant yellow-green contrast.

Thai-style Crispy Tofu with Rainbow Peppers

Name: Thai-style Crispy Tofu with Rainbow Peppers
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: red, yellow, green peppers, 1 of each sliced; extra-firm tofu, 200 grams pressed, drained, and cut into 1-inch cubes; coconut oil, 2 tablespoons; garlic, 2 cloves minced; fresh lime, 1 cut into wedges; gluten-free soy sauce, 3 tablespoons; Thai red chili paste, 1 tablespoon; coconut sugar, 1 tablespoon; cornstarch, 1 tablespoon (mixed with 2 tablespoons water) mixed with water; sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon for garnishing; fresh cilantro, handful chopped for garnishing

Category Quick and Easy

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 15 minutes

Style Thai

Technique Stir-frying

Diet Friendly Vegan

Daily Recipe: July 03, 2025

This recipe is a vibrant revamp of traditional Thai food, which is typically known for its exciting flavors of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy. The star of this dish is the seasonal peppers, which lends a mild heat to it, and a crispy tofu which adds an enjoyable crunch. A quick stir-fry sauce adds a flavourful punch, making it a delicious meal.

Ingredients (for 2)

Red, yellow, green peppers - 1 of each - sliced
Extra-firm tofu - 200 grams - pressed, drained, and cut into 1-inch cubes
Coconut oil - 2 tablespoons
Garlic - 2 cloves - minced
Fresh lime - 1 - cut into wedges
Gluten-free soy sauce - 3 tablespoons
Thai red chili paste - 1 tablespoon
Coconut sugar - 1 tablespoon
Cornstarch - 1 tablespoon (mixed with 2 tablespoons water) - mixed with water
Sesame seeds - 1 tablespoon - for garnishing
Fresh cilantro - handful - chopped for garnishing

Preparation

Step 1 - 🥄🥥🔥

Begin by warming a tablespoon of coconut oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the pressed and cut tofu cubes. Saute until they become golden brown. Once done, remove the tofu from the pan for later use.
Step 2 - 💧🥥🥄

In the same pan, add another tablespoon of coconut oil. Stir in the minced garlic and cook until it releases its aroma.
Step 3 - 🌶️🍳⏰

Next, add the sliced peppers into the pan. Keep stir-frying for around 5 minutes or until they start to soften.
Step 4 - 🥣🌶️🥢

While the peppers are being cooked, prepare the stir-fry sauce. This can be made by combining the soy sauce, Thai red chili paste, coconut sugar, and the cornstarch mixture.
Step 5 - 🌶️🔀🍲

Pour the sauce over the sautéd peppers and garlic. Toss them together until they are fully coated in the sauce. Then, add the crispy tofu back into the pan, making sure it's also coated in the sauce and heated through.
Step 6 - 🍽️🌱⭐

Just before serving, garnish the dish with sesame seeds and freshly chopped cilantro.
Step 7 - 🍽️🍋😋

Present this vibrant dish with fresh lime wedges served on the side for added zing.

Additional

Nail this recipe by pressing your tofu correctly - use a tofu press or wrap it in cloth and put a weighted pan on top. This helps in achieving the perfect crispy exterior. Feel free to add in other summer vegetables like zucchini and corn. Kids will love to help in mixing the sauce or garnishing the dish!