The mandarin season is still going strong! And since the trees in my garden are full, I’m using their beautiful flavour to kick off my holiday recipes. Today, I’m thrilled to present the very first recipe for your Christmas table this year: tender green beans and satisfying tofu, all coated in a rich, luxurious mandarin sauce.
Vegan, nut free, gluten free | Serves 4 | SIDE
Ingredients:
Tofu:
- 400g firm tofu
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic granules
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Mandarin sauce:
- 200ml mandarin juice (approximately 500g mandarins)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon English Mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
Green beans:
- 250g green beans
Serve with:
- Sesame seeds
- Crispy fried onions
Steps:
1.Cut the tofu into small cubes and place it in a large mixing bowl.
2.Drizzle the olive oil, then season with salt, pepper and garlic granules and mix with a silicon spatula.
3.Add the cornstarch in the bowl and coat the tofu.
4.Spread the tofu in a baking tray on a single layer and bake them at 180 for 30 minutes, turning half way through.
5.In the meantime, prepare the sauce, by squeezing the mandarins.
6.Mix in the rest of the sauce ingredients and whisk.
7.In a wide pan, on a medium heat, add the green beans, along with 125ml water. Cover and let the steam cook them for 5 minutes.
8.Then add the baked tofu, along with the sauce and cook for 3-5 minutes, until the sauce thickens a bit.
9.Finish with sesame seeds and crispy fried onions.
Enjoy!
Notes:
*I using frozen green beans, but you can use fresh if you can get them.
*Serve with rice to convert it into a complete mean (serves 2 people).
*Use tamari/gluten free soy sauce for a gluten free version.