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–+ servings

Sticky Tempeh

Fried tempeh glazed with a sticky, salty and sweet, umami-rich sauce.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 3 servings

Ingredients

For the tempeh

  • 1 block (227g / 8oz) tempeh
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch for coating
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil more as needed
  • black pepper ground

For the sauce

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes / chilli flakes
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds crushed in mortar and pestle
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) water
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons (38 g) brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
  • 2 scallions / spring onions for garnish

Instructions

Fry the tempeh

  • Cut the tempeh into slices or half slices about ¼ inch (6mm) inch thick and toss them in the cornstarch to coat evenly.
  • Heat up 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry tempeh until brown and a little crispy, 2 - 3 minutes on each side. Season with some freshly ground black pepper about halfway through.
    Add more vegetable oil if necessary.
  • Remove the fried tempeh from the pan and set aside. Let the pan cool down a bit to avoid overcooking the aromatics.

Make the sauce

  • Add an extra tablespoon oil to the frying pan over medium heat. Add red pepper flakes, crushed coriander seeds, minced garlic and grated ginger. Stir and fry for 1 minute.
  • Make a cornstarch slurry by stirring together the cornstarch for the sauce with an equal amount of water.
  • Combine soy sauce, water, and lemon juice. Add the liquids to the pan along with the brown sugar. Bring to a simmer and stir regularly until the sugar melts.
  • Add the cornstarch slurry while stirring, and simmer until the sauce thickens.
  • Place the fried tempeh back in the pan and coat it in the sticky sauce.
  • Serve topped with toasted sesame seeds and a sprinkle of sliced scallions, with a side of veggies and rice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Sodium: 768mg | Potassium: 318mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 135IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 2mg
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