Sweet & Sour Stir-Fried Vegetables

A salad of sliced cucumber, watercress, and fresh herbs, dressed in a natural vinaigrette, adds a refreshing note to the plate.

Recipe Ingredients:

Sauce:
Reserved pineapple juice from canned pineapple (see below)
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
2 tablespoons cornstarch

Vegetables:
1 1/2 tablespoons light olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares
1 medium green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares
8 to 10 slender asparagus stalks, bottoms trimmed, cut into 2-inch lengths
1 (16-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (16-ounce) can unsweetened pineapple chunks, drained, juice reserved
1 (16-ounce) tub extra-firm tofu, well drained and finely diced

Cooked brown rice or other hot cooked grain

Cooking Directions:

1. Combine the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl and stir until the cornstarch has dissolved. Set aside until needed.
2. Heat the oil in a stir-fry pan or large skillet. Add the onion and sauté over medium heat until golden. Add the green and red bell pepper and the asparagus, turn up the heat, and stir-fry for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and pineapple chunks continue to stir-fry for 5 minutes longer. Stir in the tofu and sauce. Cook until the sauce has thickened, just another 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Taste, and if desired, adjust the sweet/sour balance to your liking with additional honey, vinegar, and/or soy sauce. Serve at once.

Makes 6 servings.

Recipe Adapted from Vegetarian Express courtesy of Nava Atlas of "In a Vegetarian Kitchen"; www.vegkitchen.com.