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Dinner

Wrap Battle: Crispy Tofu Lettuce Cups

Crispy golden tofu lettuce cups with carrot, cucumber, green onion and sesame-lime drizzle on a ceramic platter

Golden tofu, crunchy vegetables and a bright sesame-lime drizzle pile into crisp lettuce cups for a dinner that is fresh, fast and very willing to be eaten with your hands.

Grab this

  • 450 g extra-firm tofu, pressed and cut into 2 cm cubes
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp neutral cooking oil
  • 2 tbsp reduced-sodium tamari
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
  • 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
  • 12 large butter lettuce leaves
  • 1 medium carrot, cut into fine matchsticks
  • 1/2 English cucumber, cut into fine matchsticks
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges

Do this

  1. Pat the pressed tofu dry, toss it with the cornstarch and shake off any loose excess.
  2. Heat the neutral oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the tofu for 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until crisp and golden on several sides.
  3. Whisk the tamari, maple syrup, lime juice, sesame oil, ginger and garlic in a small bowl.
  4. Lower the heat to medium, pour the sauce over the tofu and toss for 1 to 2 minutes until the cubes are glossy and the sauce lightly clings.
  5. Arrange the lettuce leaves on a platter. Divide the tofu, carrot and cucumber among them, then finish with green onion and sesame seeds.
  6. Serve immediately with lime wedges and any remaining pan sauce spooned lightly over the cups.

Easy swaps

  • Use tempeh or drained chickpeas instead of tofu; cooking time may vary.
  • For a soy-free version, use chickpeas and coconut aminos in place of tofu and tamari.
  • For a sesame allergy, replace sesame oil with neutral oil and omit the sesame seeds.
  • Use gluten-free tamari to keep the recipe gluten-free; regular soy sauce may contain wheat.
  • Romaine hearts or small cabbage leaves can replace butter lettuce.

Estimated per serving

Nutrition at a glance

Calories
315
Fat
15g
Saturated fat
2g
Carbohydrates
31g
Fibre
6g
Sugars
10g
Protein
18g
Sodium
620mg

Tofu provides most of the protein, while the vegetables and lettuce add fibre, colour and crunch.

Estimates vary with ingredient brands, substitutions and serving size.