Layered Thai Basil Tofu Rice with Shiitake Mushrooms

Layered Thai Basil & Tofu Rice Recipe

This Layered Thai Basil & Tofu Rice is a hearty, vibrant dish that brings together the rich flavors of Thai basil, aromatic spices, and the earthy goodness of tofu. With a perfect balance of heat, umami, and sweetness, this dish is an ideal vegetarian dinner option, offering a high-protein, flavorful meal that is both satisfying and nourishing. Serve it alongside a fragrant Thai Yellow Curry for a complete meal that will delight your taste buds and impress your guests!

Ingredients:

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 2

Cuisine: Thai

Course: Dinner

Diet: High Protein, Vegetarian

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ingredients: Begin by preparing all your ingredients. Cube the tofu, chop the onion into chunks, and crush the garlic cloves. Pound the Thai red chillies and garlic together using a pestle and mortar until you have a coarse paste.

   Related Articles

   • 
     Spicy Veg Chili Cheese Burgers with Homemade Tomato Sauce
   • 
     Nigella Seed Cauliflower and Potato Stir Fry (Aromatic Indian Veggie Delight)
   • 
     Traditional Maharashtrian Anarsa with Curd (Apoopa) – Crispy Diwali Treat
   • 
     Crispy Amaranth Leaves Balls (Thotakura Undalu) – Andhra Snack Recipe

2. Cook the Rice: In an electric rice cooker, cook the jasmine rice with 1-1/2 cups of water. An electric cooker ensures the perfect texture and consistency for the rice.

3. Prepare the Stir-fry: While the rice is cooking, heat the sesame (gingelly) oil and sunflower oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium heat. Add the freshly pounded red chilli and garlic paste, frying it until the fragrant spices are well-cooked.

4. Add the Onion and Tofu: Next, toss in the chopped onion and sauté for about a minute until it becomes slightly translucent. Then, add the tofu cubes and continue to fry, stirring occasionally, until they turn golden brown on all sides.

5. Add the Soy Sauces and Mushrooms: Add both the light and dark soy sauce to the tofu and onion mixture. Stir well, ensuring everything is evenly coated with the sauces. Then, add the shiitake mushrooms to the mix. Add a pinch of salt, but be cautious as the soy sauce already contains salt.

6. Cook Together: Stir everything together, ensuring the tofu and mushrooms are evenly cooked and seasoned. Continue frying for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

7. Add Basil and Final Stir: Add the Thai basil leaves to the wok and mix them into the stir-fry. Allow the basil to wilt and cook for an additional minute, releasing its aromatic fragrance.

8. Layer the Rice: To serve, take a large serving bowl and begin by layering the rice at the bottom. Follow this by a layer of the tofu and basil stir-fry. Repeat this process, layering rice and tofu basil curry until you have used up all the ingredients, ending with the tofu basil mixture on top.

9. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with roasted peanuts for added crunch and flavor, if desired. Serve your Layered Thai Basil & Tofu Rice hot, paired with a flavorful Thai Yellow Curry for a delightful Thai-inspired meal.

Tips for the Best Layered Thai Basil & Tofu Rice:

• Adjust the spice level: The Thai red bird’s eye chillies add a nice level of heat to the dish, but you can adjust the number of chillies based on your spice tolerance.
• Tofu crispiness: For extra crispy tofu, you can lightly pan-fry the tofu cubes separately before adding them to the stir-fry.
• Vegetable variations: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or baby corn to the tofu mixture for extra texture and flavor.
• Serving ideas: This dish works beautifully as a stand-alone meal or can be paired with a refreshing Thai cucumber salad to balance the richness of the tofu and soy-based sauce.

Enjoy your meal packed with the goodness of Thai flavors, protein-rich tofu, and aromatic basil that will surely become a staple in your dinner rotation.