Tofu with Pad Thai Peanut Sauce

Thank you to dietitian Pitchaya Pattasema for developing and sharing this recipe.  

Growing up in Thailand, tofu was one of my favorite proteins before I even knew what protein was. Its soft yet bouncy texture adds some oomph to any dish. Did you know that tofu is great in Pad Thai? Tofu absorbs the incredible Pad Thai sauce so well and its subtle flavor enhances the sweet and savory flavor of the peanut sauce.

Sometimes I’m so busy that I need something that I can quickly throw together, but I still want to have a great meal. These tofu bites with Pad Thai sauce take less than 10 minutes to put together and taste so good. On top of that, they’re so easy to eat and are packed with proteins, so it’s perfect as a bariatric snack or meal.

This recipe could not be simpler; you’ll need tofu, peanut butter, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil. I always have unsweetened peanut butter on hand because it is so versatile. In this case, it’s a perfect base for our Pad Thai sauce.

What’s so good about this recipe? Tofu is made from soy, a source of complete protein, which means that it has all the essential amino acids. Peanut butter contains heart-healthy unsaturated fats. Garlic and ginger have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Oh, and did I mention that it’s delicious?

Tofu with Pad Thai Peanut Sauce

What you’ll need:

3 ounces firm tofu

green onions

For the sauce:

1 tbsp natural peanut butter, unsweetened 

1 tsp sesame oil

1 tsp soy sauce

2 tbsp water

2 tsp grated ginger

2 tsp minced garlic 

Directions:

1. Cut the tofu into bite size pieces. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger.
2. In a small bowl, combine peanut butter, sesame oil, soy sauce, water, ginger, and
garlic. Set aside.
3. Heat a small skillet to medium heat and fry tofu on each side for a minute.
4. After the tofu is seared, turn off the heat and pour over the Pad Thai sauce. Coat the tofu evenly in the sauce.
5. Serve with sprinkled green onions and enjoy!

1 serving or 2 - approximately 100 calorie snacks: 225 calories per full serving     13 grams protein     9 grams carbohydrate     2 grams fiber    

17 grams fat (13 unsaturated)