ramyaramesh3007This easy vietnamese stirfry dish is a weeknight staple dinner and can be made in just under 30 minutes!
Vietnamese Caramel Chicken – also known as ‘Ga Kho’ is an easy stovetop dinner but here we’ve made it plant based by using extra firm tofu and tempeh. It’s super fragrant, aromatic, spicy, mildly sweet and most importantly, addictive! The word ‘kho’ refers to braising ingredients in a reduction of caramelized sugar and fish sauce.
This stir fry dish is also very versatile – you can add any type of mushrooms or use other forms of plant based protein (soy chunks, seitan or plant based meat). The uniqueness of this dish comes from the main step of caramelising sugar in oil to get rick, dark base.
Ingredients You Need
- aromatics – shallots, ginger, garlic, red chilies, spring onions
- protein – tempeh and extra firm tofu
- seasonings / sauces – sugar, vegan chicken stock powder, vegan fish sauce, light soy sauce, water
- garnish – cilantro
Allium free substitutions: Omit spring onions, onion and garlic. Use a pinch of asafoetida (hing) instead.
Vietnamese Caramelized Ginger Tofu & Tempeh
Ingredients
- 200 g fresh tempeh
- 200 g extra firm tofu
- 2 tbsp minced ginger
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2-3 tbsp shallots 3-4 small shallots or 1 small red onion
- 1.5 tbsp oil
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tbsp vegan chicken stock powder
- 1.5 tbsp vegan fish sauce
- 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 red chili
- 2 tbsp spring onions
- 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- salt as needed
- 1 cup hot water
Instructions
- Chop your aromatics: shallots, ginger, garlic, spring onions, cilantro and chili.
- Slice your tofu and tempeh into triangles and air fry for about 10-12 minutes at 190C with a spray of olive oil.
- Add oil to a pan and add sugar. Slowly stir and caramelise the sugar until fully melted (it should look rich and dark brown).
- Immediately add in shallots and saute until they're softened. Add minced minced garlic, ginger and saute for 1-2 minutes.
- Add red chilies, spring onions, saute for a minute and add water, vegan stock powder, vegan fish sauce, soy sauce.
- Add back in fried tofu and tempeh, mix well and braise in the sauce for 5-8 mintues. Mix in 1/4 cup cilantro towards the end and garnish with more cilantro. Enjoy!