Vegan Values: Orange Sesame Tempeh Stir-Fry
What would you do with an extra eight dollars?
I’d get a babysitter, for just one hour of peace.
Or I’d buy really horrible batteries that would have died inside Gigi’s play microphone by now, because these Duracells are killing me. God love her, Gigi can do a lot of things well, but singing? Yeeeee.
I could almost buy the left ballet slipper for Lulu’s mouse costume for Saturday. I found out today that mice need black slippers, and they are $18 a pair. Did you know there are mice in Peter Pan? Me neither. But at least mice are quiet.
Really, though, with eight extra dollars, I’d probably just make dinner.
For four.
In about ten minutes.
Who said eating a plant-based diet had to be expensive and time-consuming?
It sure wasn’t me.
Orange Sesame Tempeh Stir-Fry
Serves 4 generously
- One 8 oz. package tempeh
- 3/4 c. orange juice
- 1 t. dried ginger powder
- 1 T. reduced sodium soy sauce
- 1 T. rice vinegar
- 1 t. sesame oil
- 1 t. minced garlic
- 1 T. cornstarch
- sweetener to taste (brown sugar, maple syrup, agave or stevia)
- One 12 oz. package broccoli slaw
- 1 1/2 c. baby carrots, steamed
- 1 1/2 c. snap peas, steamed
- One 5 oz. can sliced water chestnuts, drained
- 4 c. cooked brown rice
- 1/4 c. toasted almonds, chopped
Hey, you’re blocking my shot!
Now that school’s out, I’ve got plenty of “help” in the kitchen.
That’s better.
Did you see my steal?
Mama loves a bargain. And the package isn’t outdated until tomorrow. I could expire before it does. And Lord willing, so will the microphone batteries.
But onto tempeh. (If you are too scared to try tempeh or can’t find it, you can substitute extra firm tofu that has been drained and pressed, or even edamame would make a good stand-in.)
As I’ve said before, tempeh is is a high-protein mixture of fermented soybeans and grains. My favorite way to prepare it is to grate or crumble it and pretend it is ground beef. Only without the cow. I used to be afraid of it, but have found that with the right seasoning and sauce, you can work miracles.
Shall we?
Place a pan lightly sprayed with oil or cooking spray over medium high heat. Grate or crumble tempeh into pan.
Cook the tempeh for several minutes, until it is browned and toasty. I don’t think you can overcook it, and it really gets a nice crispy, nutty texture.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine orange juice, ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, cornstarch and sweetener.
Whisk to remove any lumps.
To sautéed tempeh, add broccoli slaw, carrots, snap peas and water chestnuts.
I didn’t mind my sous chef taking a little taste.
With chopsticks in her hands, there’s no room for a microphone.
Stir-fry veggies until the broccoli is tender, then add the sauce.
Cook for an additional minute or two, until sauce has thickened, and made a delicious sweet glaze over the veggies.
Serve over brown rice and garnish with almonds.
Oh. My. Peas.
This is so delicious, I could not stop eating it while I was taking pictures.
The sauce is thick and tangy and the tempeh is nutty and blends seamlessly with the brown rice (for all those tempeh skeptics, under the age of six or thirty six).
And the cost?
$1.95 per serving. That’s under eight dollars for a family of four.
It made me wish I knew how to use chopsticks better so I could shovel it in faster.
So I just snagged Gigi’s.
Unfortunately, that meant one thing.
Someone suddenly had a free hand for a microphone.
Yeeeee.
***********
Other Vegan Values:
LOVE THIS RECIPE! Orange and sesame is like the best flavor combo ever…..and tempeh, well tempeh is always a good thing.
THANK YOU!
I had no idea I would love this as much as I did. And the whole family gave it a thumbs up!
This migh just be the vegan recipe that makes me try tempeh. Your description has me curious… and your pics have me salivating!
Do it! Do it! Do it! (I’m chanting into the offensive microphone)
Me too!
My version would be even cheaper, as I’d leave out those (no offense) disgusting water chestnuts….. which would free up even more battery money. Think about it…..
Sorry about that. I thought about putting (optional) next to it just for you!
This looks delicious! Do they sell tempeh at just regular grocery stores?
Hmm…it totally depends on what you consider a “regular grocery store.” Our Kroger/Fred Meyer has it. Our Safeway does not. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s definitely do.
They sell it at my family-owned neighborhood grocery store, so it’s definitely worth a peek at yours! (Although I’ve noticed that a lot of specialty/”health food” items like that actually tend to be cheaper at Whole Foods, so shop around if you can.)
love tempeh! orange and sesame sound deelish!
You can spray paint her shoes! My mom always did that for us when we did ballet. By the time the next show rolls around, she will have grown enough to need a new pair of shoes and those can be pink again.
Our teacher would DIE. Or kill me. Or move Lulu back down to Creative Movement. Or all three. Plus she’s the one selling the new shoes.
If only I had refrigerated that tempeh, I could make this asap!
But, really I’m so glad you are doing a series of vegan value recipes- so great!
I really am trying too. There were more expensive things I could have/initially thought to use–like fresh ginger and cashews. But dried works fine and almonds are cheaper!
Oooh, I love when cookbooks have different options like that. Maybe your next book could be Vegan Values vs. Vegan Splurge with two options for each recipe! I’d bet that even splurging on cashews and ginger might be cheaper than at least some meat- not to mention the cost-saving health-wise.
Wonderful idea!
I”m also really loving this vegan values series! The chickpea stew and biscuits were FABULOUS!
I love Gigi’s chopsticks! I haven’t had the best of luck with tempeh, but I think I could master it with this recipe!
I used to despise it. I encourage you to try it again.
I’ve always been intimidated by tempeh, but you may have convinced me to give it a try! This looks incredible.
If not with this recipe, try it with the Tamale Pie. http://peasandthankyou.com/2011/05/16/wannabe-recipea-tamale-pie/ Both will win over tempeh naysayers!
I’ll have to try tempeh, I’m also afraid of it and just found a tofu I like that I can prepare myself. It’s time for some Mama Pea archive action!
You’re looking for a tofu recipe? The lettuce cups are stellar! http://peasandthankyou.com/2011/03/31/open-kitchen/
Yum!! Looks so good!! I’ll definitely be printing out this recipe! Looks soo good and easy! You crack me up all the time!! I love the pic with Gigi in your shot! haha I also love that you also shop at Trader Joe’s!! I’m always nudging my boyfriend and saying “Look! We have that! And that! And that in our fridge!!”
We are getting a Trader Joe’s actually IN my town on Friday. My life is about to change.
Loving these “value’ meals — minus the sacrifice “value” entails in most restaurants….(*cough* HFCS *cough* factory meat). Yeeee!
You said it, girl!
That looks fantastic. Another great way to get tempeh crumbles (and save your knuckles) is to cut it into chunks and steam for 10 minutes. Then put it into the food processor for 30 seconds and it falls right apart into little crumbles. More to wash, but I’ve decided that is easier than grating a finger or 2!
I did grate myself today. Thanks for the tip!
I love how you are adding the cost of each meal. This just goes to say that eating healthy is not expensive. Love this recipe!
I don’t think every meal HAS to be cheap, but I just want to show that some really quality, tasty choices CAN be.
broccoli slaw is my FAVORITE for getting fresh veggies in our meals that go with everything…this looks and sounds killer! i want stirfry!
I love broccoli slaw too! It’s the best cooked or straight up. Would you think me bad if I told you I had some with salsa and hummus on it with my lunch?
Oh this recipe is PERFECT!
I love orange juice in just about any savory-ish application to balance out the savory and add great flavor. And of course sweetener, brock slaw, water chestnuts (was just prewriting a post and re-linked the one recipe I have with water chestnuts in it, a stir fry!) and the grated tempeh..this is a total winner!
And LOVE the sale/reduced veggies. Really I think those expiration dates are sort of just a “guide”, not a hard and fast rule. At least that’s how I see them.
And for $8 I could only get babysitting services for about 46 minutes, not a full hour
Ha ha ha! I actually thought of you when I was cooking this…I know you like that sweet glaze-y stuff
Everytime I am taking pictures of food, or random stuff there is always a little hand reaching in there, or a head, or a butt haha..But some times those are the best pics!
!!
And my husband loves orange chicken..so this might be the perfect way to sneak some wholesome vegan goodness into his body
A butt?! What goes on in your house?!?!?
My boyfriend is always putting his finger in my photos. And he’s 37.
ohh I never thought of grating tempeh that looks wonderful!
Eating veggies requires no prep, nowadays I’m such a veggie lover I rarely do any traditional ‘cooking’ at all. I just through my favs together
That’s my favorite way to cook stir- fries these days– pouring in a yummy asian marinade to simmer with the veggies and tofu/ tempeh! I’ve never used tempeh for a stir-fry before, but I guess you’ve inspired me to do so. I also got the idea to use crumbled tempeh in spaghetti sauce! What a great alternative to ground beef, no?
Tempehs the new tofu…
Yes, tempeh would be awesome in a spaghetti sauce! I have a tempeh chili recipe in the book
Now I feel like such a cheater for having sesame garlic tempeh in my fridge; at least with this recipe I’ll be brave enough to buy the plain tempeh and season it myself! I’m sure it’s going to be so good! And if I were your babysitter, I’d want to be paid in dougballs! Or any other of your yummy recipes.
Doughballs are worth more to this family than money. I think you’d have to find yourself a new sitting gig.
I’ve never tried an orange sauce on my stir-fry. It sounds wonderful!
I think Gigi and I have a lot in common. Yeeee!
Tempeh… GOOD. Oranges… GOOD. Snap Peas… GOOD. (in my Joey voice)
Come to Seattle!
Hi Mama Pea! 2 questions for you… I suppose I could google but you are more knowledgable
1. What all is in broccoli slaw?
2. Is tempeh gluten free or is soy in the gluten category? We have been informed we need to go gluten free and I have GF soy sauce ( it specifically states it) but I am not so sure about the tempeh..
Thanks!
1. Broccoli slaw is just shredded broccoli stems (my favorite veg!) and carrots.
2. It depends on the type of tempeh if it is gluten free or not. Soy, seeds and brown rice are all inherently gluten free, but some brands have other grains and/or binders in them that aren’t. You’ll just have to read the package (something I’m sure you are used to). I believe this TJ’s brand is NOT gluten free.
Hope that helps!
This looks mmmm good!
I so want to try this but finding tempah where I live is proving very difficult (UK) I can get it delivered but the delivery cost makes it a bit of an expensive buy! I will continue with my search!!
Oh man, bummer. Good luck!
I have been a vegan for 4 1/2 years and i still havent tried tempah! I keep meaning too but around here theres only one natural food store and everything is double or even triple the price it would be at a whole foods or trader joes! Next time i drive up to civilization 30 minutes away, ill have to get some cause this recipe looks delicious!!!!!!!
And ya could always take the batteries out all together;);)
Darn mic needs a screwdriver to take the batteries out. It’s going to be a stealth mission after bedtime, I’m afraid.
I just made a tempeh stir fry last night too. I use to only use tofu in my stir fries but lately, I’ve been loving the texture of tempeh in the dish. It’s so much more hearty.
Agreed! Pea Daddy couldn’t even eat half the serving I gave him. But I ate it, so all was good.
Looks like another yummy winner! I love Gigi’s chopsticks~especially the Toucan on the top!
I cannot believe they are asking you to but $18 black ballet shoes for one recital! Here’s to hoping she can wear them for a looooooooooong time
I just need to find a way to keep her feet from growing….
That looks really good – I love stirfries but don’t make them enough!
that looks really yummy and I could add some of my CSA bok choy if I get more! I really hope I do since I love the stuff now.
We have real drums and a electric guitar and the girls love to play them so I hear you on gigi and singing. Hey she can join the band and make us moms millions
I was in ballet I really think all of it was a rack to make lots of money 18 bucks a pair wow when you could go right now to payless and get black ballet slippers and something else buy 1 get 1 half off.
I know…but I love Teacher Annie and at least she has all the shoes right there, sizes the kids and saves me a trip to Payless. Which leaves me more time to play in the kitchen.
I’m so glad you are loving the bok choy! Or at least that you know what it is now.
Thank you for what looks like another great recipe! Will try as soon as kitchen is finished!
I read your blog all the time but never really comment (don’t know why). Anyway, I just had to tell you that the other day my 15 yr. old daughter saw me on my blog and saw Peas and Thank You on my blogroll and she excitedly said “Peas and Thank You” like she had found a long lost friend. She loves your blog! So do I by the way
Your recipes always look so yummy~now if I could just find the energy to make them!
That’s so cute! You’ve raised a smart girl
This recipe would be a good one to start on…it literally took me less than ten minutes to make. It’s a lot easier than you think! Thanks for saying hi and tell your daughter Mama Pea loves her 
Mmmm this looks amazingly delicious!! I can’t wait, it’s definitely on the menu for next week. And I’m with you, I’m vegan and healthy on a graduate student budget!
We have similar chopsticks for our kids. I can get them to try anything as long as I put those out for them to use!
BTW, a made your lemon chia seed muffins a couple of weeks ago. They were a hit! So good! Thanks for all the great recipes, I can’t wait to buy your cookbook!
You are welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed the muffins.
Hello! LOVE your blog. I have been following it for some time and love your creative dinner ideas and adorable girls.
I followed the comments about vegan diets being expensive and time consuming, and I can’t think of a more wrong comment. My husband and I live off a plant based for the most part (some fish out and cheese – I’m just like LuLu in that respect! hard one to give up!). We live in Vietnam where things like cans of beans are expensive and meat is cheap cheap cheap. It takes some planning on my part, but generally none of meals take over 20 minutes of cook time, and are usually under a dollar a serving. Dishes like the one above are a staple in our household. Rice, tofu, veggies and you have a perfect vegan meal in minutes.
Once again I love your blog. Keep up the good work! Also, loved this recipe because it didn’t require an oven. (hard to come by here!) Keep the oven-less recipes coming!
Thanks, Nellie! How interesting to be following a plant-based diet in another country! I never thought that in more rural areas, things like canned beans and tofu might be hard to come by. I’m happy to keep those recipeas coming and thanks for saying hi!
Two things:
Gigi’s hair always looks freaking adorable. So yes, I’m jealous of someone whose age is still in single digits.
Second, water chestnuts are completely underrated.
I agree. On both fronts. I die a little inside when people tell me they don’t like the water chestnuts.
YAY! I’m so happy that you’re adding more recipes to the Vegan on the Cheap (or whatever you want to call it) collection!! Tempeh is currently rocking my socks off so I will certainly be making this!
We just moved out of Chicago to a city with no Trader Joe’s (or Whole Foods – gasp!) and I have to say I got a little teary-eyed at that picture of the TJs 3-grain tempeh. I’m sure its delicious cooked up in the recipe too
Its great catching up with your blog again – finding lots of new recipes to try!!!
Welcome back? I won’t break your heart by telling you I’m planning an all Trader Joe’s post in salute of the one that is opening in our town tomorrow…
Yummy! I am a huge fan of grating tempeh.
You can dye her current ballet shoes black, they sell spray bottles. That’s what my mom used to when I needed a different color for a recital since I would need a bigger size in the fall anyhow.
I think I’ll just send her in her black shoes in the fall. Teacher Annie lets the pink shoes rule slide if they are little.
Manager’s Specials save me. In fact, I went grocery shopping this morning and got four packages of broccoli and cauliflower for $1 a pop. I’ll definitely use those up before they expire.
Nice work!
This looks good Mama Pea, and something my son would really like. He is all about Asian flavors, and he has a similar chopstick as Gigi, his looks like a big clothespin!
Ana
this looks so yummy! I have a couple questions for you..
1. Gigi’s chopsticks.. where did you get them?? My little one wants to use mine all the time, and these would be PERFECT for her!
2. I am trying to do more vegan meals.. but protein tends to be a sticker for me. We can’t do soy or gluten… what would you suggest to add in here to replace the tempeh besides edamame? We can do limited nuts (peanut allergy).. would chickpeas work?
3. What kind of cheese does Lulu have for her cheese sandwiches? My monkey LOVES cheese, and I’d like to find a good substitute for her. I’ve seen some rice cheeses, but am afraid to try them for the price if they aren’t “cheese like”.
Ok.. I’ll stop with the questions now.
I love questions! Especially ones I know the answer to.
1. The chopsticks I found at a local toystore, but here is the manufacturer, so you can either track them down or order them online: http://www.hogwildtoys.com/homeandcastle.html#fishsticks
2. I’ve never done a chickpea in a stirfry, but it might work okay! Keep in mind, broccoli, brown rice and almonds all are protein-rich. You could bump it up without the tempeh if you served it over quinoa and added even more almonds.
3. It’s no secret that Lulu loves cheese and that it’s not vegan. I do always buy organic cheese for her though. Her favorite brand is the Horizon organic cheese slices. They are spendy, but for me it’s worth it for knowing I’m not giving her Velveeta.
I haven’t tried grating tempeh like this – that’s a good idea! This is going on the meal list
I love this grating tempeh thing that you do. And I never think to do it. I’m putting it on the list of tricks of the trade I must learn!
Also, belated congrats to the free moving other grad!
I echo what the others have said — that is an inspired idea to grate tempeh! Never would have occurred to me. Recipe looks amazing, I’ll have to give it a shot.
And my daughter has those same training chopsticks, only purple with an elephant on top!
Ha ha, thanks! You’re a tempeh veteran, so you might not need the grating action…but in a house of tempeh newbies, it’s a good trick of the trade.
Don’t make me tell you about the time I tried to ferment and make my own tempeh from soybeans at home. As if I were a skilled Japanese artisan, rather than a new college grad. So disastrous.
Oh no. I was just going to tell someone they could make their own if they had trouble finding it, but I thought, “Dang! That would be hard!” I should have known you would have tried.
omg that pic of Gigi with the chopsticks–she looks like your teeny twin! She’s such a cutey patootie.
love love love the vegan values series!!!
I’m making this tonight!! I’ll have about 10 minutes to cook before running errands and doing laundry after work (aren’t you jealous? haha). I have some tempeh I’ve been wanting to make and looking for a new recipe to try.
I hope you love it. Do let me know!
broccoli slaw? this is a thing i can buy? yes please! i need to get my hands on some, and make this recipe. i can’t deal with big slabs of tempeh but when shredded, it seems to lose its bitterness and take on the flavors of the sauce.
Agreed! And yes, you can find broc slaw in with the bagged salads at most grocery stores.
somehow the TJ’s broccoli slaw has always eluded me when I’m there. I need to find this stuff! ever since I made the Tamale Pie, I’ve been grating the tempeh like that in everything I use it for. Much better, I wasn’t as much of a fan of the texture when it was just sliced. This way is much better
I agree! It’s much more palatable to the kiddos this way too.
I love your posts; they always make me laugh
Tempeh has always scared me, but I think you amongst other fellow bloggers have finally convinced me that I need to try it for myself.
Have a lovely Thursday! =)
You too, Sylvia, thanks!
I had bought two packets of that tempeh last week, not knowing what to do with it. I almost lost all hope when I ate it raw and plain – yuck! So I am 110% grateful for this recipe and your tips on how to use it!!!
I hope you like it this way!
Those chopsticks are brilliant!
This is being added to the “make asap” list. Vegan recipes which appear to by boyfriend approved are winners here!
Wow, this sounds delicious. And it totally sounds up my meat-loving husband’s alley. Gotta love that!
My version would have truffles on it and cost $80 a serving. j/k I think the college kids that are eating ramen out of a bag need to subscribe to these posts. You sure know how to stretch a buck MP. Smart women who bargain shop For The Win!
I’ve never had truffles. Clearly I’m missing out.
I am totally going to make this! I am hoping that my bad luck with making tempeh will end. The last two times I have made it, it tasted bitter and terrible (although I have liked it when other people prepared it).
Also, where did you get those chopsticks? My son wants to use them but lacks the motor skills. Thanks!
Here’s a link to the chopstick retailer: http://www.hogwildtoys.com/homeandcastle.html#fishsticks
I found them at a toy store, though!
Try rinsing the tempeh first – it helps with the bitterness. You can also boil it for ~10 minutes in water or veggie broth first before using it. (I’m lazy and just rinse it!)
Great tips, Christina!
YUM!! Looks delicious, can’t wait to try it.BTW, I made the Tempeh Tamale Pie the other night for dinner, and no one knew it wasn’t ground beef or that it WAS completely vegan!
That’s what I like to hear!!! Thanks, Michelle!
You make eating vegan so easy! And delicious!
That’s the goal, Jamie
Can’t wait to try this delicious looking recipe! Your posts keep me in the kitchen cooking healthy meals for my family. Very anxious for your book to come out!
Thanks, Katie, you are a sweetheart! And your family deserves healthy food–so do you!
Looks fabulous. FAb.U.Lous.
P.S. I’m still eating leftovers from the chickpea stew which was also wonderful. Doughy balls of dumpling goodness….*swoon*
Fabulous!
Yum.. I could go for some good Chinese food right about now.. Grated tempeh. Genius again! I will surely try that method. (Perhaps adding it to some mac and cheeze for vegan “tempeh” helper… yum!)
Now you’re thinking!
I started reading your blog because I am trying to eat less meat for environmental reasons. The recipes look fabulous. However I am horrified by how much plastic packaging your food comes in. How can you love animals, but not the environment? Cheap is good, but what is the cost?
We recycle all of our packaging, Diana. In fact, our recycling can is about three times the size of our very small trash can. We compost, as well. And we get a lot of our produce from local Farmer’s Markets and even neighbors. I’d be careful to rush to judgment.
If your girls have canvas ballet slippers, you can dye them black…
Thanks for the recipe! I’ve been wanting to try tempeh for a long time
I gotta hand it to you, eight bucks doesnt buy much these days. Not even baby sitting around my neck of the woods. Standard is about 15 and hour, and I think thats for one sane kid. Youd think being a Jew and all, I’d be really good at being thrifty. And I suck at it…I mean, when ever I try to clip coupons, my hands are covered in paper cuts. So I usually throw in the towel and try to find a man to take me out to dinner.
$15 an hour?! I won’t tell you what I pay.
Grated tempeh is a fantastic idea! I want to make tacos!
I have an awesome tempeh taco recipea in the book!
A tip on the ballet slipper front–
I danced from kindergarten through college (dance major!) and a little beyond. I highly recommend ordering leotards, tights, shoes, etc. from Discount Dance Supply (http://www.discountdance.com/index.php). In my experience, they are far cheaper than buying them at a dance wear store or from the studio.
Thanks so much, Laura, I will check them out!
Your children are absolutely the most adorable alive. It is also so special that they are creative and that you and your hubby support and encourage that. Many many many parents don`t!! They are going to be so grateful to you when they are older, things like the opportunities you are providing them now will effect they way they live the rest of their lives. Fostering creativity will make them happier, healthier and over all balanced people to send out into the world, and we need more people like that. And I am sure the consciousness that you are fostering through veganism wont hurt either
As per usual, you are awesome.
Thank you, Ali! I make lots of mistakes as a parent, I’m sure, but I always want the girls to express themselves and choose whatever path they want for themselves…even if it means bleeding eardrums and “unnecessary” ballet shoes now. I want to thank you (and all these awesome readers) for supporting fostering my creativity every day too!
Well is certainly dose not hurt that your form of creativity is so funny, and so yummy! Something you may think is interesting, I just showed my baby sister how to make vegan cinnamon rolls! We used coconut milk for the syrupy goodness, and coconut butter in the filling. I think they are going to be awesome! We are Gigi and Lulu in about fifteen years, just so you know.
Omigosh this looks amazing! I am going to have to make it asap! I’m a little nervous about tempeh though, would this be a good recipe to try it in? Or is there another one that would be a better “starter” tempeh recipe?
I think this is a great starter recipe! Good luck!
This looks awesome! I’e always been afraid of tempeh…I made it once and it was a big flop. But you made it look fairly fail-proof.
I never would have thought to grate the tempeh for a stir fry…i usually just dice it up but have gotten to the point where I can just eat that kind raw! i love it in sandwiches…can you come up with a recipe using the tempeh for a burger because i like that tempeh has such little salt…
I really like the cost analysis you do… very neat. Also I like that it includes all the things used, some don’t include “pantry items” when doing cost analysis.
Agreed…it’s a fairly decent program. Wish I had time to invent a better one, though
Did you create the cost analysis program yourself or did you find it through a search engine like Google? I would love to make use of something like that.
I found it through Google.
http://www.shopncook.com/pro.html
It’s not my favorite, because it doesn’t include things that are everyday products for me, but might not be for most people (i.e. almond milk and Earth Balance). But it does mean I don’t have to compute every single ingredient and I can then just fill in the gaps. If you find something better, let me know!
I think tempeh does scare me, but you make this look easy! I can’t believe how similar to ground beef it looks when you grate it. What an awesome protein source. I should try some soon!
Does said microphone have the ability to come apart to take a small unnoticeable piece out?! haha
Said microphone came in the car with us today. And Lulu is no better of a singer, unfortunately.
Mama Pea,
I just have to tell you that we made the BCT sandwiches the other night and just last week I made the Tamale Pie. My husband’s exact words were “We’ve had really good luck with tempeh…I hope you keep cooking with it.” So, thanks for making us stretch and try things we once were scared of trying. We thought the BCT sandwiches were really good, even the kids loved them. Can’t wait to give this recipea a try!
Thanks, Lisa, I’m so glad to hear you’ve had some success. I think you’ll enjoy this one too!
You are amazing, Mama Pea! This looks so good–and I can’t believe how cheap it is! Btw, those are really cute chopsticks that Gigi has.
I should have bought a set for the family
I’ve never heard of crumbling tempeh like that but that is seriously genius!
We have the dinosaur version of those chopsticks! Great value meal!! I’ll try to make a soy-free version with the raw coconut aminos. Do you think garbanzo beans would be a good stand in for edamame?
I think if you want to up the protein still, maybe add another veggie and serve it over quinoa instead? I’m just not a big fan of beans in stir-fries, but you certainly can try!
Quinoa! Great idea.
Hi! I’ve been a fan of your website for several months now! I just wanted to tell you that this post was one of the most fun I’ve read lately. I am also a huge fan of Trader Joes’s and enjoy pretty much the same items you do. Because I read your post, I will try the stevia when I can fit it in my budget – I’ve heard a lot of great things about it.
Thanks, Lisa! I’m glad you found us and thanks for saying hello!
Getting a Trader Joes, how awesome for you. I went last weekend for the first time. The nearest TJ’s is 2 & 1/2 hours away. There is a Whole Foods close to it so we went to Cincinnati and made a day of it. It was better than I even imagined. Probably gonna have to work it in at least once a month.
By the way, I think you are great. I have been vegan for 8 months now and stumbled on your site about a month, month and a half ago. Every recipe I have made has been a hit with all of us. ( my vegetarian son & sorta vegetarian husband- hopefully he will come all the way around soon) Your recipes really help!
My son made the oatmeal raisin cookies yesterday…delicious! Thanks for making it easy for the rest of us!
Ann, that is so great to hear! If there are any recipeas you are looking for that you think would bring your husband over, let me know. I love a challenge!
i am just discovering my love of tempeh and how it can absorb all flavors i add…i made the mistake of eating it straight out of the package once and then it discouraged me for a while…until, i tried it again in a stir fry (duh, why not cook it? right?) and i was in love…..just printed off this recipe…
Hope you love this one, Eva!
Hi there!!! I’ve been a fan of your website for several months now! I love your upbeat posts! thanks! I just started my vegan life style 3 months ago and haven’t felt better!
Hi Kelly Marie, that is wonderful to hear! Thank you for saying hi and being so sweet!
I can’t even tell you how excited I am for you that a TJ’s opened so close to you!!! We still have to drive 40 minutes… but I’m happy to make that drive!
I hope this doesn’t come across as cheesy or corny because I really mean it – you have such a gift!! Your recipes are always incredible and I love all the values and messages you teach on your blog without it feeling preachy! Every time I read it, I feel one step closer to wanting to take the full vegan plunge. thank you!
Teri, you are so sweet. I don’t want to push anyone, I just want to show how easy and delicious it can be to eat a plant-based diet. And cheap too! Hope you have a great weekend!
Making this tonight. Did you use stevia for your sweetener? How much? I have the little bottle of stevia from trader joe’s. 1 scoop?
I’m so excited to eat dinner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yup, 1 scoop should be plenty!
LOVING the vegan values recipes – hope you keep doing the series. I made the chickpea dumpling recipe for my hubby yesterday MASSIVE WIN!
I am absolutely going to keep doing it. It’s been really fun to see how I can stretch a buck! Glad the dumplings were a success!
I made this for dinner tonight, and the first thing my fiancee said was, “This needs to be part of our rotation.” The second thing he said was “This is delicious.” And then he didn’t say anything for the next five minutes.
Thanks for the great recipe!
I LOVE it! I always judge the success of a meal if Pea Daddy mentions “the rotation.” It must be a baseball thing
Thanks for the feedback!
Thank you! I was super hungry and rushed but needed something healthy to make. This is now a new go to recipe. And I finally know what to do with my tempeh!
So happy to hear it! And who knew tempeh could be so easy and tasty?
It smelled so good, my husband stole a bowl. He’s a veg-friendly carnivore, but this was definitely the first time he’s shown interest in tempeh.
I was wondering how you calculate the price of the meal. I know you have a program but do you take into account with things you already have and the things you have to buy? For example, if I needed to buy orange juice or something that would be $3 right there and a bag of almonds is about $6. I’m just curious what you already start with and what you have to buy. I can’t wait to try this out though!!
I just divide the amount of the total bag (say a $6 bag of almonds) by the amount I actually use (so if I used 1/6th of the package, that would be a $1 towards the total cost). Does that make sense?
Yeah that makes sense, thanks!
Oh my gosh, this looks fabulous! I’ve never had tempeh before, so I think this will have to be my first tempeh recipe! Thanks!
Hope you enjoy it!
I’ve now made this recipe twice and it’s the first time I could get the BF to eat tempeh without threatening to break up with me! He’s your traditional Aussie “no meal is compete without meat” bloke and has been tolerating my veggie recipes for years but always refused to eat tofu or tempeh. He absolutely inhaled this one night when he was starving and I hadn’t told him it was full of offending soy. Now I know I can sneak more tofu and tempeh into the occasional meal!
Love love love to hear this! I’m telling you…grating the tempeh is the only way we’ll eat it! Here’s to feeding your guy better!
I made this last night with just a few changes based on what I had in the house. Was great and I look fwd to enjoying leftovers for lunch tomorrow!
So happy you enjoyed!
I have had this meal bookmarked for quite awhile now and I finally made it last night. Mine turned out kind of bitter though with no real intense flavors. I followed directions as above – but i have never cooked with tempeh (TJ”S brand) before and am not sure if that is was is causing the “bitter” after taste. Do you have any suggestions? becasue I just loved the texture and the components of this meal.
Thanks,
Cindy
Hmm… You could try steaming the tempeh first in the microwave or on the stovetop. I’ve heard other people do that before. You could also just double the sauce. Sorry you weren’t a big fan!
Just made this & I love, love, love it. Thanks for the recipe