This black pepper tofu and green beans stir-fry is the ultimate quick weeknight comfort food - easy to make, delicious, vegan, healthy, and high in protein!
Cook the rice according to the package instructions. → I only cook rice in a rice cooker! Makes truly the best rice!
Cover the tofu in a paper towel and press to remove excess water (or use a tofu press). Cut the tofu into cubes, place them with the cornstarch in a container, and shake well until the tofu is fully covered.
Heat a skillet with oil over high heat, add the tofu, and fry for 5 minutes. Set aside.
Wash, trim, and cut green beans in half.
Heat a large skillet, add green beans and ½ cup of water. Cook on high heat until all water is absorbed/evaporated (this takes around 5-10 minutes).
Add one tablespoon of oil and the ginger, stir-fry for 3 minutes.
Mix all ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl and add it with the tofu to the beans. Cook while constantly stirring until the sauce has thickened. Sprinkle with a good pinch of freshly cracked black pepper!
Serve over rice. → Feel free to top it with sesame seeds and a splash of sriracha.
Notes
Leftovers can be stored for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.Using frozen beans? Skip step number 5 and stir-fry green beans with the ginger and olive oil right away. Fresh beans need some water to turn soft, frozen beans, on the other hand, are already blanched and turn out deliciously stir-fried. Tofu: If you have any chance to get smoked tofu, use it, cut into cubes, and add it with the sauce to the beans. Smoked tofu doesn’t need to be coated with cornstarch nor fried beforehand.Garlic/Onion: Feel free to add sliced garlic, onion, or scallion once you add the ginger.