Tofu and Vegetables in Garlic Sauce with Brown Rice

Chinese food does not have to be greasy and unhealthy as the usual Indian Chinese food is. There are lots of Chinese recipes which are tasty, nutritious and healthy. Here is one - Tofu and Vegetables in Garlic Sauce with Brown Rice. The gravy here is tangy, spicy and flavorful. You will not miss the oil or the MSG in the recipe. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

For the tofu and vegetable sauce 

200 grams firm tofu

7-8 cloves garlic, minced

1 inch piece ginger, grated

2 carrots

1 capsicum

2 medium onions

8-10 pieces baby corn

8-10 pieces mushrooms

2 tablespoons dark soy sauce

1 tablespoon green chilli sauce

1 tablespoon tomato ketchup

1 teaspoon chili flakes

1 1/2 tablespoons oil

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon corn flour 

Few stalks coriander 

Water 

Salt

For brown rice

1 1/2 cups brown rice

3 1/2 cups water

1 piece star anise

Pinch of salt

Wash and soak the brown rice in water for atleast 30 minutes. Then continue to cook it like regular white rice while adding a piece of star anise to the cooking water. It takes a little longer to cook brown rice than regular rice, so give it extra minutes. 

Wash all the vegetables except mushrooms. Dice the capsicum and onions into 1 inch pieces. Cut the carrots into round slices. Chop the baby corn lengthwise or in half. Clean the mushrooms with a damp cloth and cut into halves.

In a large wok, heat the oil. When hot add the garlic, ginger and chili flakes. Sauté for a minute. Add the onions, capsicums, carrots and baby corn. Sauté on medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes while stirring. For the last minute add the mushrooms. The veggies will cook in the sauces also so keep them crunchy. Now add the sauces and ketchup along with 2 cups of water. In another half cup of water, dissolve the corn flour and add to the wok. Bring to a boil. The liquid should start thickening. Chop the tofu into cubes and add to the sauce. Add salt and pepper. Stir gently or the tofu will break. When the sauce has a shine on it, it is done. Remove from heat, add coriander and serve hot with brown rice. 

You can also serve it with Fried Rice or Vegetable Noodles.