Tofu. Do you love it or hate it? I like it, but only if it’s deep fried. Um, if it’s fried who wouldn’t love it I suppose? Of course, I pick the most unhealthy way to love it, until now. Guess what? I’ve found a tofu recipe that I can’t get enough of and they are not deep fried! Interested?
These sesame crusted tofu cubes are paired with peppers and onions and coated in a spicy peanut sauce.
Sesame Crusted Tofu With Peppers And Onions In A Spicy Peanut Sauce Recipe
(About 4 servings)
Ingredients for Spicy Peanut Sauce:
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 cloves of garlic, grated
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
Ingredients For Pepper And Onions:
- 1 and 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 medium size onion, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 orange bell pepper, sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Ingredients For Sesame Crusted Tofu:
- 1 package (14 ounce) firm tofu
- 1 egg
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 cup white rice, uncooked
- sprinkling of fresh chives, chopped
- sprinkling of peanuts, chopped
Directions For Spicy Peanut Sauce:
- In a small bowl, add the peanut butter, honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, grated garlic, and grated ginger. (Don’t bother trying to stir it yet.)
- Place the bowl in the microwave for 15 seconds to warm it up a little.
- Stir the ingredients to combine.
Directions For Pepper And Onions:
- In a medium skillet, on Medium heat, heat the oil.
- Add in the sliced onions and peppers. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until tender and slightly browned, stirring occasionally.
- Turn the heat down to Low and stir in the spicy peanut sauce.
- Leave the vegetables on Low heat while you finish the tofu.
Directions For Sesame Crusted Tofu:
- Slice the tofu into half inch slices.
- On a cooling rack, place a layer of paper towels. In a single layer, place the slices of tofu on top of the paper towel. Then place a layer of paper towels on top of the tofu. Put something heavy on top of the paper towels. (I used a couple of plates.) When the paper towels are damp, switch them out for dry ones. Repeat until you’ve removed most of the moisture from the tofu.
- Once the tofu is ready, cut the slices into small cubes that are still big enough to handle for coating and manipulating in a pan. (Roughly 1″ x 1″ x 1/2″ per piece worked for me.)
- In a medium skillet, on Medium heat, heat the oil.
- In bowl #1, whisk the egg.
- In bowl #2, combine the panko bread crumbs and sesame seeds.
- Dip the tofu cubes into the egg bowl.
- Then dip the tofu cubes into the panko mixture bowl.
- Place the tofu cubes into the hot skillet and cook until they are golden brown. Make sure to arrange the tofu cubes in a single layer and to leave room in the pan for flipping them over on to each side. I cooked between 5 and 10 at a time.
- Transfer the cooked tofu cubes onto a paper towel.
Additional Directions:
- Cook the rice according to the directions on the package.
- Plate with a layer of rice, then a layer of pepper and onions in the spicy peanut sauce, then a layer of sesame crusted tofu. Sprinkle chopped chives and peanuts on top.
I love working with colorful veggies that don’t cost an arm and a leg. Thank you, Spring!
I love tofu crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside and that’s exactly what you get here. The panko crumbs and sesame seeds toast up nicely which is sort of a cheater’s way to get tofu crunchy on the outside.
Now that we’ve got our crunchy sesame crusted tofu, we need some real flavor for the dish. You know, because I personally think tofu doesn’t have any flavor on its own. (My husband, a tofu aficionado, points out that tofu tastes exactly like tofu and not like nothing at all.) How about some peanut sauce? Even better, how about some SPICY peanut sauce?! This sauce is amazing. It’s an awesome combo of peanut butter, ginger, and spiciness. My husband says the sauce sort of tastes like a Pad Thai sauce.
Most kinds of veggies would be a great companion to this spicy peanut sauce, but I used peppers and onions today. I love the colors because they make this like a festive delicious rainbow but I could totally see this dish being made into a real Pad Thai with just a little scrambled egg and bean sprouts instead.
Tofu, in general, tastes best when it’s freshly made. While you can reheat it, the texture is kind of never the same. Then again, as I previously mentioned, I have texture issues so maybe it’s just me. 😉
Have a happy Monday!
Sesame Crusted Tofu adapted from: Love & Olive Oil
Sesame Crust Tofu With Peppers And Onions In A Spicy Peanut Sauce source: Tina’s Chic Corner
Here are some other lovely entree options.
Tomato Chickpeas Over Dried Fig Infused Rice
This tofu looks great, Tina! Love that peanut sauce and OMG all those bright colorful veggies. Yummy! So want this for lunch today. 🙂
Thanks Sarah! I have some leftovers waiting for me for a quick re-heat dinner tonight and I can’t wait. 🙂 Have a lovely Monday!
I usually am not the biggest tofu person but I had it at a restaurant recently and it was just so perfectly crunchy and crispy and well, awesome! This kinda reminds me of it! I’ll have to give this a shot … and that spicy peanut sauce sounds amazing. I could drink peanut sauce with a spoon : ) haha But I try to restrain myself…
Hehe…this sauce is pretty amazing so I won’t judge. 😉
I love tofu in most ways – baked, grilled, sauteed, fried, etc., so this recipe looks incredible! I’m a crowd of one in my family when it comes to enjoying tofu, but I think this could be the dish that changes their minds! Crispy and crunchy, in a spicy peanut sauce. Delish!
That would be awesome if this recipe converts your family!
I looooove tofu! Mostly fried as well. Whoops. This dish looks amazing!!! Yum
Thanks so much! 🙂
Come and make this for me. Please. It looks beyond delicious, especially the crispy tofu! I’ve always wanted to try tofu but I’ve never seen a recipe that made me go “yes, this is the one!” I’ve found it now and can’t wait to try. Gorgeous photos, too!
That’s awesome to hear! When am I coming over? 😉
This sounds really amazing! Loving that spicy peanut sauce!!! I’m seeing this for dinner in my very near future!!!
Awesome deal! I hope you love it as much as I do. 🙂
I LOVE tofu. But yes, especially when it’s fried lol. However, I won’t turn down anything smothered in peanut sauce. This looks pretty fabulous.
Hehe…awesome!
The spicy peanut sauce looks amazing! I’ve never had tofu before, but I can imagine this sauce would go amazing on chicken too!
Oh yea, this sauce will definitely work with chicken. In fact, I’ve already been brainstorming the very same for a chicken recipe. 🙂
Well it’s hard not to love something that is fried 😉 I actually love tofu but I try to limit my soy. There’s a place in Toronto that has the best peanut tofu so I make an exception for them 🙂
Exceptions are necesary. 🙂
I’m so happy that I have all of the ingredients to make this! It looks so delicious! I’m definitely pinning this and will give it a try!
Awesome! Let me know how you make out. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Oh, yum! This looks so awesome! I really love tofu (fried or not! 😀 ), and totally adore peanut sauces – this is totally my kinda meal! Pinning ASAP!
Awesome! Thanks. 🙂
Tina, I am in love with tofu and I most certainly am in love with peanut sauces, so you have a real winner recipe here. Of course, I won’t complain if it’s fried tofu in particular…definitely inspired to finally cook up some tofu soon. Glad I popped on by to see this!
Awesome! I’m glad you stopped by too. 🙂
I love, love, love spicy peanut sauce, and this sesame crusted tofu sounds fabulous! I bet it gives a great nutty flavor and crunch. Thanks for the great recipe; pinning!
Awesome! Thanks Allie. 🙂
Do you deliver ? 🙂 Love tofu as long as someone else prepares it. The spicy peanut sauce sounds divine.
Hehe…delivery coming right up! 😉
Wow, that tofu looks amazing! We haven’t had it in years because it always ended up soggy and depressing, but this one looks perfectly light and crispy. YUM!
Soggy tofu is definitely a no-go for me! Thank you for your lovely compliment. I appreciate you stopping by. 🙂
I just love peanut sauce. I can dip just about anything into it and be happy. I love tofu and haven’t had much lately, so thanks for a new idea 😀 Looks delicious and I love those beautiful colors.
I bet this sauce would be an awesome dip…I’ll have to work on that. 😉
Tina, I have to admit I’m not normally a tofu-lover, but I actually think I would enjoy it this way, especially with that beautiful-sounding peanut sauce. I guess the tofu could be substituted for something else really easily if it was too much of an issue.
I definitely think chicken would be a great substitute here. I know tofu isn’t for everyone. Plus, I’m very picky about it when I do eat it.
Ewh… I hate it, I hate it so much. Even when its been deep fried and doesnt taste like tofu anymore, I still hate it. 🙂 I havent tried it with peanut sauce tho, perhaps that might be the winning combo?!
I think tofu is one of those “I hate” or “I love” foods. Although I guess I’m somewhere in the middle since I’ll eat it but only if it’s prepared just right (I know, I’m weird). 😉 This peanut sauce rocks and I think it would definitely work with chicken, if that’s something more to your liking.
Great minds think alike. I just made a dish with tofu too but I can’t wait to give your recipe a try as I love sesame crusted anything. Sounds like a really delicious vegan meal and will have to try that spicy peanut sauce on other things as well, good stuff. Have a super weekend. Take Care, bAM
Awesome! Thanks so much Bam! You too have a lovely weekend. 🙂
I love tofu and I especially love it when it is nice and crispy! Yours looks amazing and I will definitely be coating my tofu in sesame seeds next time I make it! So perfect for a stir fry and I also love your peanut sauce recipe!
Awesome! Thanks kindly. 🙂
Great recipe!! I just LOVED the spicy peanut sauce!! and your pictures look just amazing! Thanks for sharing
Thank you so much! I appreciate you stopping by. 🙂