Buddha's Delight

Another recipe from Maria.

Buddha's Delight
Dairy-Free, Soy Food, Vegan

Our simplified version of this classic Chinese vegetarian dish relies on readily available ingredients. Prepare all vegetables and measureall ingredients before you start cooking, as the stir-frying happens in a flash. This dish is often included at Chinese New Year's feasts;the mixed vegetables are thought to ensure family harmony for the coming year.
Serve over white or brown rice.
Serves 3 to 4

• 3 tablespoons tamari
• 1 tablespoon toasted dark sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons mirin
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 (14-ounce) package soft tofu, drained and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/8 – 1/4 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 4 cups small broccoli florets
• 1 cup diagonally sliced carrots, about 1/4 inch thick
• 1 8-ounce can sliced water chestnuts
• 1 cup fresh or frozen and thawed cut green beans
• 1 cup sliced green onions
• 2 teaspoons grated peeled fresh ginger root
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Combine tamari, sesame oil, mirin, rice vinegar, tofu and red pepperflakes, tossing gently to coat.
Cover and marinate for 1 to 2 hours.
Drain in a colander over a bowl, reserving the marinade.
Heat the canola oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add tofu and stir-fry for 5 minutes, until lightly browned on allsides.
Remove tofu and set aside.
Add broccoli, carrots and waterchestnuts and stir-fry for 5 minutes or until just crisp-tender.
Addgreen beans and stir-fry for 2 minutes.
Add green onions, ginger, andgarlic and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes more, until aromatic.
Return tofu to wok.
Combine vegetable broth with arrowroot powder and reserved marinade,stirring well to completely dissolve the arrowroot.
Add this to thewok and stir until sauce thickens.
Season to taste with black pepperand garnish with cilantro.

Nutrition InfoPer serving (About 14oz/393g-wt.): 300 calories (120 from fat), 14gtotal fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 12g protein, 34g total carbohydrate (7gdietary fiber, 10g sugar), 0mg cholesterol, 750mg sodium