Sweet and Sour Tofu

The following recipe will benefit patients with a cancer diagnosis, high cholesterol and heart disease. It is also good for patients who have milk and dairy allergies and need another way to obtain calcium from their food because of milk and dairy limitations.

 

Ingredients

Sweet and Sour Sauce

  • tofu squares in a bowl2 tablespoons cold water

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

  • 1 cup pineapple juice

  • 1/3 cup white rice vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger root (available jarred in your produce section)

  • Dash of white pepper, to taste

 

Tofu and Vegetables

  • 1 tablespoons safflower oil

  • 2 carrots, cut into ¼” slices

  • 1 green bell pepper, cut into ¼” wide strips

  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into ¼” wide strips

  • 1 medium onion, sliced ¼” thick

  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic

  • 12 ounces silken extra-firm tofu cut into ½” cubes (available in produce section)

  • 1 large tomato, cut into 16 wedges

  • One 8-ounce can pineapple chunks, drained

 

Directions

  1. Cut all the vegetables the same size to guarantee even cooking.

  2. Stir together water and cornstarch in a medium bowl until smooth.

  3. Whisk in remaining sauce ingredients and set aside.

  4. Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

  5. Add carrots, bell peppers, onion and garlic.

  6. Cook, stirring constantly, approximately 5 minutes.

  7. Reduce heat to medium, stir sauce in bowl and pour it over vegetables.

  8. Stir constantly until sauce thickens, approximately 1 minute.

  9. Gently stir in tofu, tomatoes and pineapple chunks.

  10. Heat until warm, about 1 minute.

 

Hints

  • Other vegetables can be substituted to your taste (broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms, celery, zucchini or halved Brussels sprouts).

  • Prepare vegetables in advance, and refrigerate until ready to use.

  • Try serving this over rice or noodles.

  • Garnish dish with chopped green onions.

View Tofu Teriyaki recipe 

 

Nutrition Information

  • Serves: 4

  • Calories: 261

  • Protein: 10 gm

  • Carbohydrate: 41.9 gm

  • Fat: 5.9 gm

  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

  • Sodium: 388 mg

 

*Recipe and information adapted from "The Complete Soy Cookbook," by Paulette Mitchell, copyright 1998. Modifications were made by Angela Maley (December 2007). Angela is a certified chef and the Director of Food Services as well as Clinical Nutrition Services at National Jewish Health. For specific diet information tailored to your needs, we recommend you consult with one of our registered dietitians.