Scrumptious.
Wholesome.
Simple.
I really like Thai delicacies and cashew nut stir fry is up there as certainly one of my favourite issues to order once I go to a strong Thai restaurant. However that’s the factor: I dwell on this teensy little suburb in So-Cal the place the one first rate Thai eating places do not serve vegan-friendly dishes. Accordingly, my entry to a scrumptious cashew nut stir fry is irregular, at finest. Nicely, this new recipe is the answer to that downside, in case you might have that too!
This cashew nut stir fry recipe has tons of attractive, nutrient dense greens, to lend taste, colour, and texture. This straightforward recipe additionally packs a wallop of plant-based lean protein (tremendous agency tofu), making it an awesome choice in your post-workout meal. And at last, my favourite half about this cashew nut stir fry recipe? The leftovers style simply pretty much as good, if not higher the subsequent day! Of all of the stir fry recipes I’ve developed over time, this needs to be my absolute favourite. And hubby agrees!
So, with out additional ado, let’s get into it!
Disclaimer: Among the hyperlinks on this put up could also be affiliate hyperlinks for merchandise I take advantage of and love. In the event you make a purchase order after clicking a type of hyperlinks, I could earn a small affiliate fee, maybe sufficient to purchase some further gochujang or gochugaru 🙂
What’s Cashew Nut Stir Fry?
There are a number of sorts of stir fry dishes in Asian delicacies, together with each Chinese language and Thai cooking, that incorporate cashews. In Thai delicacies, one of many extra standard cashew stir fry dishes is cashew hen stir-fry or kai phat met mamuang himmaphan.
Because the identify suggests, Thai cashew nut stir fry dishes incorporate roasted cashews and a spicy, savory sauce, served with or over a mattress of fluffy rice. Most variations I’ve seen or eaten additionally embody a handful of vivid, colourful greens, like bell peppers.
It is a vegan model of the basic hen cashew stir fry and subsequently, there will likely be no chickens on this recipe! As an alternative of hen, I’ll be utilizing tremendous agency tofu which, in keeping with my husband, seems to be and tastes lots like hen anyway. In the event you don’t like tofu, you’ll be able to substitute tempeh or your favourite plant-based hen different and nonetheless arrive at a completely excellent weeknight meal that you just’ll be making over and over. I promise!
Why You Will LOVE This Cashew Nut Stir Fry Recipe.
This cashew nut stir fry recipe is vegan. Thus, there will likely be no animal merchandise concerned. That stated, I conferred with plenty of non-vegan cashew nut hen recipes, together with the wonderful cashew hen recipe by Sizzling Thai Kitchen, as a way to derive this veg-friendly model.
This cashew nut stir fry recipe is rapidly turning into a favourite recipe of ours and I’ve little doubt it should grow to be certainly one of yours, too. Why? As a result of this cashew nut stir fry recipe is:
- Flavorful
- Textured
- Spicy
- Wholesome (try the FAQ for my oil-free choice)
- EASY!
The key to an excellent stir fry is the layering of flavors and textures. The stir fry sauce is a mix of flavors designed to maximise umami, offering the proper stability towards the brightness of the bell peppers. The roasted cashews and broccoli florets provide a ton of CRONCH to optimize mouthfeel, and the tremendous agency tofu lends a beautiful heartiness to this recipe, in order that it may be the star of a fast dinner and a flowery ceremonial dinner, alike.
Key Substances and Notes on Substitutions for cashew Nut Stir Fry Recipe.
This cashew nut stir fry dish comes collectively in a short time and actually solely requires somewhat greater than a handful of elements. Let’s check out every of the important thing elements:
Tremendous Agency Tofu.
As I discussed, it is a vegan cashew nut stir fry recipe and subsequently, we is not going to be utilizing hen breast or some other hen items for this recipe. As an alternative this recipe requires tremendous agency tofu or hi-protein tofu.
Tremendous agency tofu is quickly turning into my favourite method to get extra protein into my weight-reduction plan. I’m not a fan of protein powders or protein smoothies–whereas they’re environment friendly, they style like crap. Tofu, however, tastes scrumptious! And tremendous agency tofu has protein density, packing 14 grams of full protein for each 130 calorie serving. One of many nice issues about tremendous agency tofu is that a lot of the liquid has already been expressed out of it, so that you don’t must spend time urgent the tofu. You can begin cooking instantly.
💡 Substitution Concepts: In the event you don’t have entry to tremendous agency tofu, you’ll be able to substitute further agency after urgent it for no less than 20 minutes. In the event you don’t like tofu, you may as well substitute with tempeh or your favourite plant-based hen substitute. One other nice substitution thought is oyster mushrooms!
Cashews.
Not surprisingly, this cashew nut stir fry recipe requires cashews. You should utilize both roasted cashews or uncooked cashews. The one factor I’d counsel is that you just use unsalted cashews (so you’ll be able to management the saltiness). Can’t stand cashew nuts? Then this recipe in all probability isn’t for you…? Nonetheless, in all honesty, you may positively substitute peanuts for this recipe and nonetheless have a completely scrumptious and straightforward dinner.
Greens.
This cashew stir fry recipe is stuffed with lovely greens:
- Onion (yellow or purple onion)
- Garlic
- Crimson bell pepper
- Inexperienced bell pepper
- Inexperienced onion
- Broccoli
💡 Substitution Concepts: Whereas most conventional cashew nut stir fry recipes incorporate onions, garlic, and bell peppers, that is a type of dishes the place you’ll be able to add what you like. What are your favourite veggies? What’s on sale on the grocery retailer proper now? Zucchini? Inexperienced beans? Snap peas? The one phrase of warning is that extra isn’t at all times higher. Past the fundamentals (onion, garlic, and bell peppers), I might persist with solely a pair extra contemporary veggies so as to add texture, in order to not muddy the flavors.
Sauce Substances.
Okay, that is the place the magic occurs and the place substitutions may grow to be tough. Each time you substitute one thing for one of many elements beneath, you may be flattening the flavour of your sauce, so I extremely suggest attempting your finest to get the elements beneath. This can be certain that this cashew nut stir fry recipe knocks your socks off in the identical method it did ours!
The next elements make up the sauce for this cashew nut stir fry:
- Darkish soy sauce
- Golden Mountain sauce
- Vegetarian oyster sauce
- Vegan fish sauce
- Chili paste
- Sesame oil
- Sugar
- Corn starch
Darkish Soy Sauce: The explanation we go for darkish soy sauce is to keep away from extra saltiness (lighter coloured soy sauce is usually saltier) and to offer a wealthy, caramel colour for our sauce. Be sure you use a good tamari or different gluten-free soy sauce to maintain this recipe gluten-free. In the event you don’t have soy sauce or are allergic to soy, you should utilize coconut aminos or a soy free soy sauce. And naturally, if you happen to’re watching your sodium consumption, be happy to sub in your favourite low sodium soy sauce.
Golden Mountain Sauce: I have to admit, I had no thought what this was till I began consulting all of the Thai recipes for Thai cashew hen. Golden mountain seasoning sauce is usually utilized in Thai cooking to assist elevate the opposite flavors in your stir-fries. It’s like a punchier soy sauce, with somewhat sweetness. I picked mine up on the native Chinese language grocery retailer, however you may as well get it on-line. In the event you’re attempting to maintain this recipe gluten-free, you’ll be able to choose up a gluten-free golden mountain seasoning sauce.
In the event you can’t discover or just don’t have the time to choose up Golden mountain seasoning sauce, then you’ll be able to substitute with soy sauce (ideally a special one from the one you used above).
Vegetarian Oyster Sauce: Most conventional recipes for cashew nut hen stir fry name for oyster sauce. Fortunately, most Asian grocery shops carry vegetarian oyster sauce, which is produced from oyster mushrooms. Because the identify suggests, oyster sauce–together with vegetarian oyster sauce–brings flavors of the ocean to your umami-packed sauce. Once more, if you must hold issues gluten-free now you can discover gluten-free and vegetarian oyster sauce on-line.
In the event you can’t discover or just don’t have the time to choose up vegetarian oyster sauce, you’ll be able to substitute with soy sauce (ideally a special one from the one you used above) or extra fish sauce (see beneath).
Vegan Fish Sauce: I really like my vegan fish sauce recipe. Like love it. Not solely is it bursting with taste, you’ll be able to simply make it gluten-free. And it’s excellent for this cashew nut stir fry. It provides this dish that inarticulable somethin’ somethin’ that’s completely addictive. Just like the golden mountain seasoning sauce, it enhances the flavors of the whole lot round it, whereas giving it the barest trace of seafood. And I imply trace (I usually don’t like fishy issues).
In the event you don’t have time to make my fish sauce, you’ll be able to after all buy vegan fish sauce. You too can substitute with extra soy sauce or yondu.
Chili Paste: I’ve to confess, this was the toughest of all of the elements for me to determine, as the standard Thai recipe usually requires chili paste made from shrimp paste, typically known as a “chili jam” or nam prik pao. I used to be not capable of finding a vegan model of this chili paste in any of the Asian grocery shops close to me, so I picked up a Chinese language ning chi chili paste as an alternative (it was the closest factor I may discover). In the event you’re happy with ordering your elements on-line, this seems to be a vegan Thai chili paste or nam prik pao.
In the event you don’t have entry to both ning chi chili paste or a vegan nam prik pao, substitution concepts in your cashew nut stir fry embody sriracha or different Thai chili paste that doesn’t embody shrimp or anchovies.
Toasted Sesame Oil: Toasted sesame oil will add only a contact of luster and nuttiness to your sauce, that’ll pair nicely together with your crunch cashews.
Sugar: I like my stir-fry sauces on the sweeter aspect, so I add a pair tablespoons of sugar for this cashew nut stir fry recipe. You should utilize white sugar, brown sugar, coconut sugar, even date sugar. You too can use a syrup, like maple syrup, brown rice syrup, agave syrup. In the event you don’t like your stir fry sauces on the sweeter aspect, you’ll be able to add half the quantity of sweetener, however I wouldn’t minimize it out altogether. The sweetener is there to make sure a stability of flavors, even if you happen to don’t style any precise sweetness.
Corn Starch: I like my stir-fry sauce to be on the thicker aspect, virtually like a glaze or gravy and subsequently I add 1 teaspoon of corn starch. In the event you like your sauce to be much less thick or almost cooked off, you’ll be able to skip the corn starch.
Step-by-Step Directions for Making Cashew Nut Stir Fry.
Step 1.
Preheat your oven to 425° F. Whereas your oven is preheating, rear your tremendous agency tofu into bite-sized chunks. Place them in a big bowl and add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. Toss to coat and place the bowl within the fridge for quarter-hour.
Step 2.
After your tofu is finished marinating and your oven is preheated, add 1 tablespoon of additional virgin olive oil to your tofu and toss to coat. Then, unfold the tofu onto a baking sheet (not lined with parchment paper). Unfold your cashews on a second baking sheet. Place each of them in your preheated oven with the next cook dinner occasions (use a timer!):
20 to 22 minutes for the tofu (till the sides are golden brown)
5 to 7 minutes for roasted cashews
10 to 12 minutes for uncooked cashews
Step 3.
Whereas your cashews and tofu are within the oven, make your stir-fry sauce by whisking collectively your soy sauce, golden mountain sauce, vegan oyster sauce, vegan fish sauce, chili paste, sesame oil, sugar, and corn starch, along with 2 tablespoons of water.
Step 4.
As soon as each your cashews and tofu are out of the oven, start your stir-fry by including further virgin olive oil to a big sauté pan or wok over excessive warmth. When the oil will get good and scorching (about 1 minute), add your garlic and onion (each common and scallion whites) and sauté till aromatic (about 3 minutes). Subsequent, add your bell peppers and broccoli and cook dinner till they start to melt (one other 3 minutes). Lastly, add the cashews, tofu, and stir fry sauce and decrease your warmth to low, whereas stirring gently till all elements are well-combined. Garnish with scallion greens and serve with a stupendous bowl of rice (ideally jasmine rice)!
Regularly Requested Questions.
Can I make cashew nut stir fry gluten free?
Sure! The one elements which will include gluten are within the sauce. Nonetheless, there are gluten-free choices and/or substitutions that you should utilize to maintain this dish gluten-free. Try the Substitutions part above.
What’s the distinction between Chinese language cashew hen and Thai cashew hen?
The variations between Chinese language and Thai cashew hen are pretty refined. Chinese language recipes are typically sweeter, saucier, and fewer spicy, whereas the Thai model makes use of extra chili and fish sauce with a drier stir-frying method (much less liquid).
How do I retailer my cashew nut stir fry?
Retailer your cashew nut stir fry in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days. To reheat your cashew nut stir fry, merely zap it within the microwave for a minute or so or reheat it on the stovetop with somewhat water.
Can I fry the tofu on the stovetop for this cashew nut stir fry recipe?
Sure. The truth is, most conventional cashew nut hen recipes (from which this vegan model is derived) do name for first frying your hen in somewhat oil on the stovetop. Nonetheless, not like hen, tofu bakes up so nicely within the oven, whereas requiring far much less work and oil. I’ve ready them each methods, they usually each style nice.
Can I make this cashew nut tofu OIL FREE?
Sure! Merely change the olive oil with vegetable broth and you may hold this recipe for cashew nut stir “fry” oil free!
Recipe Card.
Vegan Cashew Nut Stir Fry with Tofu.
A fast and straightforward stir-fry recipe you’re going to LOVE!
- 16 oz tremendous agency tofu
- 3 tbsp darkish soy sauce
- 2 tbsp further virgin olive oil
- 1 cup unsalted cashews (roasted or uncooked)
- 1 tsp golden mountain seasoning sauce
- 1 tbsp vegan fish sauce
- 1 tbsp vegetarian oyster sauce
- 1/2 tsp Thai chili paste
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp corn starch
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 3 inexperienced onions, chopped (inexperienced and white elements separated)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped purple bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped inexperienced bell pepper
- 1 cups chopped broccoli
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Preheat your oven to 425° F. Whereas your oven is preheating, rear your tremendous agency tofu into bite-sized chunks. Place them in a big bowl and add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. Toss to coat and place the bowl within the fridge for quarter-hour.
-
After your tofu is finished marinating and your oven is preheated, add 1 tablespoon of additional virgin olive oil to your tofu and toss to coat. Then, unfold the tofu onto a baking sheet (not lined with parchment paper). Unfold your cashews on a second baking sheet. Place each of them in your preheated oven with the next cook dinner occasions (use a timer!):20 to 22 minutes for the tofu (till the sides are golden brown)5 to 7 minutes for roasted cashews10 to 12 minutes for uncooked cashews
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Whereas your cashews and tofu are within the oven, make your stir-fry sauce by whisking collectively your soy sauce, golden mountain sauce, vegan oyster sauce, vegan fish sauce, chili paste, sesame oil, sugar, and corn starch, along with 2 tablespoons of water.
-
As soon as each your cashews and tofu are out of the oven, start your stir-fry by including further virgin olive oil to a big sauté pan or wok over excessive warmth. When the oil will get good and scorching (about 1 minute), add your garlic and onion (each common and scallion whites) and sauté till aromatic (about 3 minutes). Subsequent, add your bell peppers and broccoli and cook dinner till they start to melt (one other 3 minutes). Lastly, add the cashews, tofu, and stir fry sauce and decrease your warmth to low, whereas stirring gently till all elements are well-combined. Garnish with scallion greens and serve with a stupendous bowl of rice (ideally jasmine rice)!
- You too can fry your tofu on the stovetop, however doing so will possible require greater than 1 tablespoon of olive oil and you might also must work in batches in case your pan isn’t very giant.
- Be certain that to unfold your tofu onto the baking sheet in a single layer.
- Be certain that to take a look at the Substitutions part in case you need to make this recipe gluten-free.
- You possibly can hold this recipe oil free if you happen to substitute vegetable broth for the oil.
- In the event you actually like your meals spicy, you’ll be able to triple the quantity of chili paste and add dried chilis.
Energy: 478kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 26gFats: 31gSaturated Fats: 6gPolyunsaturated Fats: 4gMonounsaturated Fats: 13gSodium: 1216mgPotassium: 418mgFiber: 5gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 553IUVitamin C: 42mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 3mg
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