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creamy golden rice and tofu with red bell peppers and scallions in a dutch oven.
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Creamy Coconut Rice with Five Spice Tofu

Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Servings: 6
Calories: 489kcal
Author: Nisha Vora

Ingredients

Five Spice Tofu

  • 10 to 12 ounces (280 to 340g) super-firm tofu (or extra-firm tofu) (Note 1)
  • 1 heaping teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 heaping teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons neutral-flavored oil such as avocado or grapeseed oil

Rice and Vegetables

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons neutral-flavored oil
  • 1 bunch scallions (about 6), sliced thinly (save dark greens for garnish)
  • 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 ½ inch piece ginger, minced or grated
  • 1 serrano or Fresno chile pepper, finely chopped (Note 2)
  • 4 medium carrots scrubbed and chopped (or 2 heaping cups / 300g small cauliflower florets)
  • 1 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
  • ½ teaspoon white pepper (Note 3)
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup (200g) medium-grain white rice (e.g., Calrose or arborio rice)
  • 1 ½ cups (360 mL) vegetable broth
  • 1 (13.5-ounce / 400 mL) can full-fat coconut milk (Note 4)
  • 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce (tamari for GF)
  • 1 teaspoon agave nectar or maple syrup
  • 1 small or medium red (or orange or yellow) bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 2/3 cup (95g) roasted, salted peanuts, roughly chopped (Note 5)
  • 1 big handful cilantro leaves and tender stems, chopped
  • 1 medium lime, zested and juiced

Instructions

  • Prep the tofu. Slice the tofu into 4 vertical slabs. For super firm tofu, gently squeeze each slab to remove excess water. For extra firm tofu, cover the slabs with a thin dish towel or a few paper towels; weigh down with a heavy cookbook; press for 10 minutes, or while you prep the aromatics and vegetables.
  • Add the rice to a bowl under cool tap water. Rinse and drain in a sieve until the water turns clear. It’ll take a few rounds of rinsing.
  • Preheat the oven to 375ºF/190ºC.
  • Season the tofu. Tear the tofu into chunks, not too big or small. Transfer to a large bowl. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, five spice powder, and onion powder. Sprinkle this over the tofu, using your hands to gently coat the tofu.
  • Cook the tofu. Heat the 2 TBSP oil in a 12-inch nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the tofu and spread out in a single packed layer. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes undisturbed. Flip and continue cooking for a total of 12 to 14 minutes, stirring only every 2 minutes, until most of the tofu is browned (see Note 7).
  • While the tofu cooks, heat a Dutch oven or other oven-safe pot (at least 3-quart/3L) with the oil over medium-high heat. Add the scallion whites and light greens, garlic, ginger, chile pepper, and carrots. Cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the five spice powder, white pepper, coriander, turmeric, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, and stir almost constantly for 30 seconds.
  • Add the rice and stir to evenly coat each grain. Pour in the vegetable broth, coconut milk, tamari, agave, bell pepper, and peanuts. Increase the heat, cover the pan, and bring to a boil.
    Take off the heat, add in the cooked tofu, stir to combine, and cover the pan with its lid (or tightly cover with foil if you don't have a lid).
  • Transfer the pan to the oven and bake, covered, for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
  • Take out of the oven and stir in the cilantro, reserved scallion greens, lime zest, and 1 tablespoon lime juice. Season to taste with a few pinches of salt and pepper, adding more lime juice as needed.

Notes

Recipe inspired by the New York Times recipe for Sticky Coconut Chicken and Rice. 
Note 1: Super firm tofu is really lovely here, giving the tofu a meaty, chewy texture, a great contrast to the creamy rice. 
Note 2: 1 chile pepper adds a pretty mild heat, but you can always remove the membranes or omit it for the mildest version. Or add a second pepper for more heat. 
Note 3: White pepper is brighter and fruitier than black pepper and is often used with Chinese five spice powder for an amazing explosion of flavors.
Note 4: If you want a lighter dish, you can use "lite" coconut milk. 
Note 5: Sub with roasted, salted cashews if allergic to peanuts. Or, use 1/4 cup (32g) toasted/roasted white sesame seeds if allergic to all nuts; garnish with more at the end. 
Note 6: If you don't have a large nonstick frying pan, I recommend frying the tofu in two batches for the best texture.