Sweet and Sour Tofu with Un-fried Rice
Sweet and sour tofu with un-fried rice is a vegan Asian-style main course where crispy cornflour-coated tofu meets a tangy pineapple and soy sauce glaze. The Thermomix TM7 weighs, mixes and heats everything in one bowl, while the rice cooks gently without oil. A colourful, fragrant dinner the whole family will enjoy.
About this recipe
Sweet and sour tofu with un-fried rice Thermomix TM7 is the answer when you crave that classic Chinese takeaway flavour but want a lighter, plant-based version made in your all-in-one kitchen machine. Firm tofu cubes tossed in seasoned cornflour turn deliciously crisp, while pineapple, peppers and a glossy rice vinegar, soy and sugar sauce deliver that unmistakable sweet-and-tangy taste. The genius lies in the un-fried rice: instead of frying in oil, the long grain rice is steamed to fluffy perfection, so the whole meal stays light without losing texture. Searching for vegan Thermomix TM7 recipes or a quick weeknight dinner idea? This one has you covered, because the TM7 weighs the sauce ingredients straight into the bowl, mixes the cornflour slurry lump-free and heats the glaze to exactly the right thickness while you fry the tofu. Perfect for Meatless Mondays, student kitchens and family dinners where everyone wants seconds.
Preparation tips
- Press the firm tofu between kitchen paper under a light weight before coating it, so the cornflour seasoning sticks better and the cubes turn extra crisp in the pan rather than steaming in their own moisture.
- Toss the tofu in cornflour, garlic powder, sea salt and pepper only just before frying; if it sits too long the coating turns damp and the sweet and sour glaze will slide off instead of clinging.
- Swap the pineapple for mango or add a splash of extra rice vinegar if you like it sharper; children often prefer the sauce milder, so reduce the vinegar slightly and add a little more pineapple juice.
- Serve the glossy tofu and sauce over the un-fried rice immediately, as the cornflour glaze thickens on standing; a scatter of spring onion or sesame seeds adds freshness and crunch.
Recipe variations
- Gluten-free version: replace the light soy sauce with tamari and check that your cornflour and rice vinegar are certified gluten-free; the tofu stays just as crisp and the sweet and sour glaze tastes identical.
- Festive or seasonal variation: add roasted cashews and pomegranate seeds for a Christmas twist, or use fresh peach and red pepper in summer instead of pineapple for a softer, fruitier glaze.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Weighing rice vinegar, soy sauce and sugar straight into the bowl, the Thermomix TM7 guarantees a balanced sweet and sour glaze without measuring cups.
- Mixing the cornflour with cold water, the Thermomix creates a lump-free thickening slurry so the pineapple sauce coats the tofu evenly.
- Heating the sauce gently, the TM7 keeps the vinegar and soy mixture below boiling point, preserving its bright tang without any scorching.
- Chopping the garlic and pepper uniformly in seconds, the Thermomix distributes flavour and colour evenly through the sweet and sour sauce.
- Steaming the long grain rice above the sauce, the TM7 delivers fluffy un-fried rice while the tofu glaze reduces underneath.
Ingredients
- firm tofu
- light soy sauce
- cornflour
- garlic powder
- fine sea salt
- ground black pepper
- pineapple
- red pepper
- red onions
- tomato ketchup