Hearty, comfort, and so delicious, these Coconut Cashew Tofu Vegetables are also quite a budget-friendly meal.
To Be Eat out or Not?
But first, let’s talk about eating out for a minute. I have mentioned a few times (like 27 or 32) that I’m a little skeptical about this. Of course, I do like going somewhere once in a while, but it often doesn’t give me the desired satisfaction.
Clearly, sometimes it’s nice not think about cooking.
Unfortunately, I cannot stop myself from thinking about how I would make the dish (And naturally, in 99% I think I would make it much better. I’m not talking about some fancy restaurants, though. It’s unlikely I’ll make a molecular cuisine plate or something like that without a little explosion in the kitchen).
Another thing its cost. That’s the reason I don’t normally order a pasta because:
a. I will make it better.
b. I’m offended to pay 25-35$ for a pasta which I would make better (With a few exceptions like lobster pasta).
And I don’t like the idea of going out for a lunch either. Cause you’ve got to enjoy your food even if you’ve paid 10$. How could you do this if you’ve got like 40 minutes from start to finish (Read: from ordering to paying).
However, over the last year, I’ve joined my co-workers twice. Both times that was one Thai restaurant. Moreover, both times I ordered the same dish – Coconut vegetables. Served with tofu and cashews in a rich luscious sauce, that dish is divine. And it doesn’t cost too much, something around 10$. Well, plus taxes. And tips. Wait, it doesn’t look that good anymore.
But there’s a great news, my friends. I’m not going to that restaurant anymore (Or at least I’m not going to order that dish again).
Do you know why? Because I’ve recreated these Coconut Cashew Tofu Vegetables at home, and it was fantastic!
Additionally, it was much cheaper. Let’s roughly calculate (The prices are rounded off).
- Mushrooms, 1 pound – 2,50$
- Broccoli, one large crown – 3$
- Mini carrots, one large package – 1.75$
- Mini bok choy, one large package – 1,5$
- One red bell pepper, 1$
- Coconut milk, 1 can – 1.25$
- Creamy coconut, 1 package – 1.50$
- A handful of cashews – 3$
- Tofu, 1.75$
- Miscellaneous (Olive oil, seasonings, jalapeno) – 3$
As you see, around 20 dollars, only 20 dollars! And if you’re lucky enough, you may find some awesome discounts. Besides, I didn’t use up some ingredients in full so the actual cost of these Coconut Cashew Tofu Vegetables is even less.
Coconut Cashew Tofu Vegetables
And the greatest part of it that you’ll get a large pan of this deliciousness enough for at least 6 servings (Well, of course, it depends on how hungry you are. But even in our case, we had a few meals during a weekend, and then I had 2 lunches at work).
Plus, I served these Coconut Cashew Tofu Vegetables with some jasmine rice which is perfect for the sauce (Yes, the restaurant doesn’t offer a side dish to these veggies). Btw, that was the first time ever I cooked tofu, and I wasn’t really sure what I was doing. So, if you have another way of handling it, you’re welcome!
As you see, this creamy goodness – Coconut Cashew Tofu Vegetables – is totally worth of your time. And money!
How often do you recreate the food you’ve tried at a restaurant?
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 pound cremini button mushrooms, cut in half
- 2 cups mini carrots, whole or cut in half
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
- 1 large broccoli crown (5 cups of florets)
- 6-7 mini bok choy, divided in few parts
- 1 can full fat coconut milk
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil/grapeseed oil
- 3-4 tablespoons creamy coconut/coconut paste
- salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- a handful of roasted cashews, to serve
- jalapeno, seedless and sliced, to serve
Tofu
- 150-200 gr.tofu
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika, to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large pan over high medium heat and place the mushrooms (in a dry pan, no oil needed at this time). Cook, stirring, for about 7-9 minutes, until most of the liquid has evaporated, and the mushrooms started to be golden.
- Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, carrots, and peppers. Cook 2 minutes until started to golden. Decrease heat to medium and cook for another 2-3 minutes (Keep eye on carrots and adjust the heat if they are cooking through too fast).
- Add the broccoli and the coconut milk and creamy coconut. Add about 2/3 - 1 cup of hot water to mostly cover the veggies (they unlikely be fully covered, but it's fine). Cook for about 4-5 minutes until the broccoli is ready but still crisp.
- Add the bok choy, cover, and cook for just few minutes (or until the veggies have the desired texture). Off heat.
- In a meanwhile, slice the tofu 1 cm thick. Place in a sieve and let stay for 15-20 minutes to drain.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet.
- Season well the tofu, place in the skillet, and cook 3-5 minutes or until nicely golden. Flip over and cook few minutes more.
- Serve the vegetables with jasmine rice, tofu, jalapeno, and cashews.
Hi – I’m Ben, a blogger, recipe developer, and food photographer. I’m glad you’re here! I hope you will enjoy hundreds of delicious recipes and a pinch of havoc in the kitchen.
Wow, this dish is amazing! It’s hearty yet light and fresh, and it’s full of the most delicious ingredients. I wish you would share with me a large bowl of this goodness….aaa….it looks so good! I’m so happy you went out with your co-workers so you could recreate this for us :)
BTW I do the same when I go out to eat. Even though I love to eat out, I always think I could make the food much better at home (of course) :D. And I also never ever order pasta, because I always think I could make it in 10 minutes at home too. That’s why I go for pizza usually ;)
Evi @ greenevi recently posted…Raw Corn and Avocado Soup
Haha, I actually prefer a homemade pizza because it always seems they don’t put enough toppings at the restaurants:)
Ben Maclain|Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Beetroot Prune Walnut Salad
I totally hear you about going out to eat. Unless it is something really unique, I don’t see the appeal. That is unless it is more about having a drink with friends. Even then I think I’d rather have them around to mine! That said, recreating restaurant meals is great fun, and this looks better than any curry I’ve managed to order! Well done!
Yup, totally agree. Thanks, Matt!
I love recreating food from restaurants too! This recipe is perfect for today (meatless Monday) and I need to go get some tofu at the store and make it soon. Actually I just saw a recipe this morning (Serious Eats, I think) about how to make homemade tofu. Maybe I’ll try that (one day). heeheehee ;)
karrie @ Tasty Ever After recently posted…28 Romantic Date Night Recipes
Making tofu from scratch? Wow. But I’ll wait for your results:)
That’ awesome that you could recreate that cashew tofu vegetables, Ben. I love being in my kitchen, but also I don’t mind going to the restaurants every once in a while. Because on such days I could relax and I don’t have to do the kitchen cleaning. ;) This dish surely looks hearty, comfy and delicious. Would love to try this sometime. :)
Anu – My Ginger Garlic Kitchen recently posted…Aloo Ka Halwa | How to Make Potato Halwa | Video Recipe
Thank you, Anu!
Recreating meals from restaurants is one of my favorite things to do! I love the sense of adventure and challenge there. Sometimes I get pretty close with the recipe, and other times it’s way off…but even if it’s way off, the result is usually still pretty tasty. That’s the fun of being in the kitchen, right? I heard it said that memory is one of the best ingredients in a recipe. It looks like you used that here to create this tasty coconut cashew dish! And I bet this made the best leftovers, too!!
David @ Spiced recently posted…Italian Stuffed Peppers
Absolutely. Leftovers were probably even better than the first meal:)