Here’s something I’d always wanted to make, but shoved it into the “one day” category (a lot of things are in there, I’m afraid to look! I slam the door and run…). It involved having iceberg lettuce to hand, which I rarely buy, and also sorting out a minced meat substitute for the traditional recipe, which seemed like a lot of bother. I didn’t want to use packet stuff, and I felt it needed a little more oomph than just chopped veggies in lettuce.
So I dillied and I dallied, and one day after seeing this vegan basil “chicken” recipe, which kind of looked like pretty delicious san choi bau filling if I tinkered a bit, I thought now is the time. I am a little bit in love with Marc’s blog. He takes us through the freezing and crumbling of tofu method here, which provides the “meat” portion of this recipe. He veganises a lot of Asian food which makes me very, very hungry. I love Asian food SO DAMN MUCH and while my tolerance levels mean I’ll turn a blind eye here and there when I get ethnic food and I know something will more than likely contain dashi or fish sauce or shrimp paste, for eating it at home I like to use recipes where I don’t have to do that. Marc creates recipes that still pack a punch of flavour without their more traditional ingredients. Win!
He also makes spicy chicken lettuce wraps, so I based this recipe from that one, using the crumbled tofu method and adding a few bits and pieces. It is so good it makes me want to buy iceberg lettuce more often – and to also always keep a block of tofu in the freezer! Who would have thought. Good fun, peeps – serve them as an appetiser, or as part of a Monday night yum cha like I did, with edamame and veggie gyoza.
(Meanwhile, I love Not Quite Nigella’s version here – I will be doing this next.)
PrintVegan San Choi Bau
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 4 - 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Thai
Description
A vegan take on an Asian favourite – this san choi bau won’t disappoint! Make sure you freeze and then thaw the tofu, it makes all the difference.
Ingredients
- 1 Medium iceberg lettuce
- 1 Large block tofu, frozen and thawed
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Small piece ginger (about a centimetre long), minced
- 1 Medium shallot, diced fine
- 1 Small carrot, diced fine
- 1 Large green onion, sliced thin (save tops for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sriracha sauce
- few drops sesame oil
- crispy fried shallots, fresh coriander and fresh chives, to garnish
Instructions
- In a frying pan, heat some oil over medium heat.
- Add garlic, shallots, ginger and the bottoms of the green onions.
- Meanwhile, squeeze all the water you can from the tofu block (you might have to do this in pieces) until dry. Crumble into the the frying pan and saute until it picks up the flavour, a few minutes.
- Turn the heat down and add the sauces, and sesame oil, adjusting to taste preference. Feel free to add more sriracha, that shit is the bomb! Stir until well coated.
- Break apart the iceberg lettuce into little cups, the area around the heart works best for this.
- Spoon a little of the tofu mix into each one, and garnish with crispy fried shallots, fresh coriander and chives. Yum!
Vegan san choi bau
Ingredients
- 1 Medium iceberg lettuce
- 1 Large block tofu, frozen and thawed
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Small piece ginger (about a centimetre long), minced
- 1 Medium shallot, diced fine
- 1 Small carrot, diced fine
- 1 Large green onion, sliced thin (save tops for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sriracha sauce
- few drops sesame oil
- crispy fried shallots, fresh coriander and fresh chives, to garnish
Directions
Step 1 | |
In a frying pan, heat some oil over medium heat. Add garlic, shallots, ginger and the bottoms of the green onions. | |
Step 2 | |
Meanwhile, squeeze all the water you can from the tofu block (you might have to do this in pieces) until dry. Crumble into the the frying pan and saute until it picks up the flavour, a few minutes. | |
Step 3 | |
Turn the heat down and add the sauces, and sesame oil, adjusting to taste preference. Feel free to add more sriracha, that shit is the bomb! Stir until well coated. | |
Step 4 | |
Break apart the iceberg lettuce into little cups, the area around the heart works best for this. Spoon a little of the tofu mix into each one, and garnish with crispy fried shallots, fresh coriander and chives. Yum! |
Lisa Mckenzie says
Looks good,I don’t buy iceberg lettuce very often either i am not a fan ,give me a good baby cos anyday and asian food yum ,i might make these very soon,thanks Stacey x
Veggie Mama says
I hope you do! It’s delicious x
Liz @ I Spy Plum Pie says
Looks delicious! I do love a meal in stages so I may have to give this a go the next time I’m making a smorgesboard of Asian inspired dishes. Thanks Stacey!
Veggie Mama says
Um, when you do, can I come too?!
Liz @ I Spy Plum Pie says
Sure! Might be a bit hard at the moment but once you’re living in Melbourne, why not!
Veggie Mama says
haha I promise I’m not a freak!
Liz @ I Spy Plum Pie says
Would never have thought you were! If you bring those gorgeous kids of yours I’d happily entertain them for a while too!
Veggie Mama says
DEAL.
Lisa @ Greek Vegetarian says
Fabulous recipe Stacey! I’ve heard so much about but never tried sriracha sauce – it’s been in my “one day” category for ages too! And thanks for the link to Marc’s blog – interesting info about freezing and defrosting tofu! Are you ready for Melbourne yet? When do you move? (and can you bring us some sunshine please?) 🙂
Veggie Mama says
Ohhh Sriracha is amazing. I don’t know how I lived without it for so long!
Totally ready for Melbourne… just once I get my fill of my last Queensland winter 🙂
Elizabeth@thebackyardlemontree says
The freezing of tofu changes it’s texture in quite a magical way. This looks really good.
Veggie Mama says
I have always wanted to do it, but been hamstrung by the fact I don’t like tofu and never buy it! Although I’m branching out a bit more now, and have found a few recipes I like, like this one 🙂
Stacy says
Thanks so much for hosting! I’ve never had that dish, but it looks amazing!
Veggie Mama says
You’re welcome, as always! It IS interesting, and also delicious 🙂
MotherDownUnder says
I want Monday night yum cha!
Why does no one at my house prepare these kinds of things for me? Wah!
I guess I will have to make it myself!
Veggie Mama says
Haha I totally need to come visit again and I will make this. Monday lunch yum cha!
Marc Matsumoto says
Looks delicious! I’m glad to hear you’ve found my blog helpful!
Veggie Mama says
Oh hello! Welcome! Yes, ridiculously helpful, it’s a fantastic resource. My lettuce cups aren’t as pretty as yours but they sure tasted good. Thanks so much! 🙂
Caeli @ Little Vegan Bear says
This has been on my ‘things to make’ list for ages too! You’ve inspired me to get onto it, these look great x
Veggie Mama says
Oh totally! Let me know how you go x
Cook it fit says
It looks so delicious!
Veggie Mama says
It is! I hope you like it.