Tofu Satay Skewers are a delicious and protein-packed vegetarian dish that combines marinated tofu grilled to perfection and served with a rich peanut sauce. This meal is complemented by fresh cucumber, crushed peanuts, and a squeeze of lime, making it a well-rounded and flavourful option.
Easy to prepare and bursting with taste, these skewers are perfect for a healthy dinner or a summer barbecue.
Looking for other tofu recipes? You'll love my Vegan Tofu Calamari or my Tofucado Rice Bowl.
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Why you need to make these Tofu Satay Skewers
- Protein-Rich: Firm tofu provides a great source of plant-based protein, making this dish both filling and nutritious.
- Bursting with Flavour: The combination of coconut cream, red curry paste, and a rich peanut sauce offers a delightful blend of savoury and slightly spicy flavours.
- Versatile and Easy: These skewers can be cooked on a grill or in a pan, making them adaptable to different cooking setups.
Ingredients
Tofu Skewers:
- Firm tofu: Absorbs marinades well and has a satisfying, chewy texture.
- Coconut cream: Adds richness and a touch of sweetness to the marinade.
- Red curry paste: Infuses the tofu with complex, spicy flavours.
- Curry powder: Enhances the depth of the seasoning with a blend of aromatic spices.
- Brown sugar: Balances the savoury and spicy elements with a hint of sweetness.
- Soy sauce/tamari: Adds umami and saltiness to the marinade.
- Water: Helps distribute the marinade evenly over the tofu.
Peanut Sauce: - Peanut butter: Provides a creamy, nutty base for the sauce.
- Brown sugar: Adds sweetness to balance the salty and spicy flavours.
- Tamari or soy sauce: Brings umami depth to the sauce.
- Red curry paste: Adds spice and complexity.
- Water: Helps achieve the desired consistency for the sauce.
- Sea salt: Enhances the overall flavour of the sauce.
Serve with:
- Cooked white rice: A neutral base that pairs well with the rich tofu and sauce.
- Cucumber: Adds a refreshing crunch to the dish.
- Crushed peanuts: Provide additional texture and a nutty flavour.
- Coriander leaves: Add a fresh, herbal note.
- Red chilli: Offers extra heat and vibrant colour.
- Lime: Adds a tangy, citrusy contrast to the creamy and savoury elements.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make Tofu Satay Skewers
(full recipe below)
Tofu Satay Skewers are a flavourful vegetarian dish combining marinated tofu and a rich peanut sauce, perfect for a healthy meal or summer barbecue. First, break the firm tofu into bite-sized pieces and thread them onto bamboo skewers. Next, marinate the tofu in a mix of coconut cream, red curry paste, curry powder, brown sugar, soy sauce, and water. Although you can marinate it for a few hours, cooking it immediately also works well. Then, grill the skewers in a hot pan with oil until they are charcoaled and crispy.
Meanwhile, prepare the peanut sauce by combining natural peanut butter, brown sugar, tamari or soy sauce, red curry paste, water, and sea salt in a pot. Heat and mix until smooth and well combined.
Serve the grilled tofu skewers with the peanut sauce, accompanied by cooked white rice, thinly sliced cucumber, crushed peanuts, coriander leaves, red chilli, and a squeeze of lime. This dish not only offers a satisfying and protein-rich meal but also brings a balance of sweet, spicy, and savoury flavours, making it a versatile and easy-to-prepare option for any occasion.
Substitutions
- Tempeh instead of tofu for a different texture and higher protein content.
- Almond butter instead of peanut butter for a different nutty flavour.
- Soy yoghurt instead of coconut cream for a lighter marinade.
Storage
Store any leftover skewers and peanut sauce in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat the tofu skewers in a preheated oven at 180C for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. The peanut sauce can be reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a little water if it becomes too thick.
FAQ
- Can I make the peanut sauce ahead of time? Yes, the peanut sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to five days.
- Can I use a different type of tofu? Extra firm tofu is recommended, but firm tofu can also be used. Avoid using silken tofu as it is too soft for skewers.
- Is there a way to make this dish less spicy? Reduce the amount of red curry paste in both the marinade and the peanut sauce to lessen the spiciness.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Tofu Satay Skewers
Ingredients
Tofu Skewers ingredients:
- 650 g firm tofu extra firm (Evergreen Hard Tofu is my go-to)
- ⅓ cup coconut cream
- 2 tablespoon red curry paste
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce/tamari
- 2 tablespoon water
Peanut sauce ingredients:
- ½ cup peanut butter natural, smooth
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon red curry paste
- ½ cup water
- sea salt
Serve with (per serve)
- ½ cup cooked white rice
- ½ cucumer thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon peanuts crushed
- coriander leaves
- red chilli
- lime
Instructions
- Break up the tofu into small bite size pieces. Mix together the rest of the tofu skewer ingredients and marinated the tofu. You can marinate for a few hours or just cook them immediately. I don't notice a huge difference between the two.
- Place 4 - 5 pieces on bamboo skewers (I use the 16cm bamboo skewers from Woolworths)
- Bring a pan to high heat with a tablespoon of oil and grill the skewers until charcoaled and crispy.
- To make the peanut sauce, add all the ingredients to a small pot or pan over medium heat, mix well and simmer for a few minutes.
- Serve the tofu with the peanut sauce, rice, crushed peanuts, cucumber, chilli and coriander if you have it!
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