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Sesame Tofu and Green Beans

This easy dish features hearty tofu and crisp green beans tossed in a sticky, sweet, and savory sauce, finished with crunchy sesame seeds.
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Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Servings: 3

Ingredients

  • 16 oz extra firm tofu torn into chunks
  • 100 grams green beans
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch
  • pinch of salt and pepper
  • 1 tbsp oil

Sauce

  • ½ cup water
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar or maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste or ketchup
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp cornstarch

Garnish

  • 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 green onion sliced
  • 1-3 tsp toasted sesame oil

Instructions

  • Boil tofu (optional): Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add tofu chunks and simmer for 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove tofu to a colander or fine mesh sieve to drain and cool.
    Tip: Boiling the tofu pulls water out from inside the tofu and firms up the texture. You can skip this step if you're short on time, but your tofu will be softer and may not bake up as crisp.
    16 oz extra firm tofu
  • Blanch green beans: Bring the pot of water back to a boil, then add green beans and cook for 2-3 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Drain and rinse green beans under cold water to stop them from cooking. Set aside in a colander.
    100 grams green beans
  • Air fry tofu: Toss tofu with cornstarch and a pinch of salt and pepper. Drizzle the oil over and gently toss to coat. Spread tofu out on an air fryer basket and air fry at 390°F for 10-15 minutes until golden and crisp.
    3 tbsp cornstarch, pinch of salt and pepper, 1 tbsp oil
  • Simmer sauce: When tofu is just about ready, add all sauce ingredients to a deep pan and bring to a simmer. Simmer 2-3 minutes until the sauce reduces and thickens a little, then turn off heat.
    ½ cup water, 2 tbsp brown sugar or maple syrup, 1 tbsp tomato paste or ketchup, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp cornstarch
  • Coat tofu and green beans: Add tofu and green beans to sauce and toss until well coated.
  • Garnish: Sprinkle sesame seeds and green onions over, then drizzle with sesame oil to taste.
    2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, 1 green onion, 1-3 tsp toasted sesame oil