Thai Eggplant Curry With Tofu Recipes

EGGPLANT AND TOFU CURRY

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, puree the garlic, ginger, jalapeno and 1 to 2 tablespoons water in a mini food processor until a paste forms. Drain the tomatoes, reserving the juice; coarsely crush the tomatoes in a separate bowl.
• Add the remaining 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and the eggplant to the pot; cook 2 minutes. Add the garlic-ginger paste and cook, stirring, 2 more minutes. Add the curry powder and tomatoes (but not the juice) and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add the tomato juice and 1 cup water and cook until slightly reduced, about 3 minutes. Add the coconut milk and tofu; simmer until the eggplant is very tender, about 5 minutes. Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with rice, if desired.

THAI RED CURRY WITH EGGPLANT AND SWEET PEPPERS RECIPE

Steps:

• While pressing the tofu (see notes for chickpea sub)** preheat the oven to 350F (180C). Slice the pressed/drained tofu into (about) 1" (2.5cm) cubes and place on a parchment or silpat lined sheet pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden. This will dry the tofu out. Set aside.
• In a large Dutch oven, add the coconut oil and heat until it shimmers. Turn the heat to medium high and add the eggplant and onion. Stir fry for about 6-8 minutes or until the vegetables begin to soften. It's okay of the eggplant sticks a bit.
• Stir in the bell peppers and stir fry for about one minute, just to soften a bit. Add the garlic and ginger. Stir for another minute, scraping the bottom of the pot - the garlic and ginger will start to stick. Add the curry paste and red pepper flakes. Take a big inhale..... ahhhh.
• Cook, stirring for a minute more, coating the vegetables with the paste. Stir in the brown sugar and deglaze the pot with broth and coconut milk. Stir in the tofu or chickpeas. Bring to a simmer, turn to low and cook for about 10 minutes just until heated through. Stir in the Tamari and lime juice.
• Remove from heat and spoon over rice. Top with Thai basil, cilantro, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve with additional Tamari and lime wedges.
• Store in a lidded container for up to three days or up to two weeks in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge overnight and gently rewarm on the stovetop.

BROTHY THAI CURRY WITH SILKEN TOFU AND HERBS

Steps:

• Pat the tofu blocks dry with a clean kitchen or paper towel. Cut each block into 3 slices.
• Heat a medium Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high. Add the oil and shallots, and stir until softened, 2 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger and curry paste, stir, and cook until fragrant and the paste turns deep red, 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, stir and bring to a simmer. Simmer until the tomato juices thicken slightly, 4 minutes.
• Pour in the vegetable stock, stir, increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer to slightly reduce the liquid, 10 minutes. Stir in the coconut milk, season to taste with salt and remove from the heat.
• While the broth is simmering, divide the soft tofu into 6 bowls. Break each slice into 4 or 5 pieces. Season each bowl of tofu with 2 teaspoons of soy sauce and a few cracks of black pepper, and top with about ¼ cup of the fresh herb mix.
• Ladle the hot broth and tomatoes over the bowls of silken tofu. Top with sliced scallions and serve hot, with lime wedges for squeezing.

RED THAI COCONUT CURRY WITH EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Wrap tofu in several layers of paper towels. Place in a colander in the sink. Set a plate on top of tofu and weigh down with a large, heavy can. Let stand for at least 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, shake cans of coconut milk well prior to opening. Pour 1/2 of 1 can into a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in curry paste until well blended. Add eggplant, onion, and bell pepper, stirring well with a rubber spatula to prevent breaking of tender eggplant during cooking.
• Stir remaining 1 1/2 cans coconut milk, dark brown sugar, tamari, rice vinegar, and salt into the saucepan. Mix well. Increase heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 20 minutes.
• Unwrap tofu and cut into bite-sized cubes. Stir into curry mixture. Cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Add peas and cook until warm, 1 to 2 minutes more.