1. Prepare the Tofu

Begin by draining the tofu and pressing it to remove any excess moisture. You can use a tofu press or wrap the tofu in a clean kitchen towel and place something heavy on top, such as a cast-iron skillet, for about 15 minutes. This step is crucial to ensure that the tofu crisps up when frying and doesn’t become soggy.

Once the tofu is pressed, cut it into 1-inch cubes. You can also choose to slice the tofu into slabs or triangles, depending on your preference. Set the tofu aside.

2. Make the Stir-Fry Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce (or tamari), rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, maple syrup (or honey), sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). If you want a thicker sauce, dissolve the cornstarch in a little water and add it to the sauce mixture. Stir until smooth and set the sauce aside.

3. Cook the Tofu

Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil (or sesame oil) for frying. Once the oil is hot, add the cubed tofu and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure all sides are golden and crispy. You may need to cook the tofu in batches, depending on the size of your skillet.

Once the tofu is crispy and browned on all sides, transfer it to a plate and set it aside. If needed, add more oil to the skillet for the vegetables.

4. Stir-Fry the Vegetables

In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of oil if necessary. Add the sliced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Then add the bell peppers, carrot, zucchini, and broccoli. Stir-fry the vegetables for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are tender-crisp. You want the vegetables to maintain their color and crunch, so avoid overcooking them.

Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning. The garlic and ginger will infuse the vegetables with wonderful aromatic flavors.

5. Combine the Tofu and Sauce

Once the vegetables are cooked to your liking, add the crispy tofu back into the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the stir-fry sauce over the tofu and vegetables, and toss everything together gently until evenly coated. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to heat through and thicken slightly.

6. Serve the Tofu Stir-Fry

Once everything is well combined and heated through, remove the skillet from the heat. Serve the Tofu Stir-Fry immediately, garnished with sesame seeds (if desired) and additional red pepper flakes for extra heat.

You can enjoy this stir-fry on its own or serve it over rice, quinoa, or noodles for a complete meal. For extra flavor, drizzle a little more sesame oil over the top just before serving.