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Filipino Tofu Curry with coconut milk, potatoes, carrots, bell peppers

Filipino Style Tofu Curry

5 from 4 votes
This Filipino Style Tofu Curry is my take on the Filipino Chicken Curry I grew up enjoying with heap loads of rice and the super tasty and somewhat creamy sauce that I love to pour over. This vegan version uses extra firm tofu or tokwa that I pan fry and use as the meat replacement for this recipe. The cubes of tofu act as sponges that absorb the flavours of the sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Filipino, Fusion, Southeast Asian
Servings 4 people
Calories 465 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Tofu

  • 17.5 oz extra firm tofu or tokwa , drain and pressed
  • 3-4 tbsp neutral oil , for cooking

Curry

To Serve

  • Rice or grain of choice I had black rice

Instructions
 

  • Press the tofu to drain out excess water. I like to do so by wrapping it in a kitchen towel and placing some weighted surface on top (such as a few chopping boards or books).
  • Slice the tofu into 1-inch (2.5-cm) cubes or any other shape of your choice.
  • Heat a large pan or wok over medium heat. Add enough neutral oil to cover the surface of the pan. Once hot, place the tofu and pan-fry over medium to medium high heat until lightly golden brown and crisp on all sides, around 2-3 minutes on each side. You can also opt to bake or air fry the tofu until lightly golden and crisp.
  • Remove some of the oil in the wok or pan. In the same wok or pan over medium heat, sauté the onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes or until aromatic.
  • Add in the bell peppers and carrot. Cook these for 3-4 minutes on medium heat.
  • Add in the potatoes and pan-fry for 2-3 minutes. Add the curry powder. Mix well.
  • Pour in the coconut cream or milk, add in the bay leaves, vegan fish sauce, and vegetable cube or bouillon.
  • Mix well and allow for the vegetable cube or bouillon to dissolve as the sauce comes to a boil. Taste the sauce and season with salt and sugar, to taste.
  • Add back the tofu.
  • Cover the pot or wok and allow the potatoes and carrots to cook through until tender, around 12-15 minutes over medium heat.
  • Prefer a thicker consistency? You can leave the pot or wok uncovered for extra moisture to evaporate and for the sauce to reduce.
  • Once the carrots and potatoes are cooked, remove the cover. Taste and season with more salt, to taste, if needed. Serve the curry while it’s hot with your choice or rice or grain.

Reheating

  • The potatoes and carrots can continue to absorb the sauce so if you’re reheating or if the sauce has reduced and thickened and want it a bit runnier, you can add some water and season with more to taste, if needed. Mix well and allow for everything to come together before serving.

Notes

CURRY POWDER

  • Filipino curry powder is very mild in spice or not spicy at all (at least for me) especially when compared to Indian curry powder. I get local curry powder mixes in my local market or groceries in the Philippines and find that the main components are turmeric (gives the curry the distinct yellow colour), cumin, coriander seeds, black pepper, mustard, and a few other key spices.
  • I also use Simply Organic’s curry powder which I enjoy because it’s very aromatic and has a very mild spice.
  • I've tried both Mccormick and Simply Organics curry powders and both are a great blend of spices. Both are also very mild in spice.

NUTRITIONAL INFO

Serving: 1serving (curry) | Calories: 465kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 280mg | Potassium: 1000mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 3986IU | Vitamin C: 97mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 7mg
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