Vegetarian Satay Food

VEGETARIAN THAI SATAY

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Slice protein of choice into strips. Place in a bowl large enough for marinating and set aside.
• Place all marinade ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend to create a dark, rich satay marinade . Taste-test marinade for salt, spice, and sweetness.
• Pour marinade over prepared strips, turning to cover all sides.
• Add onion, if using, and gently toss all together. Set in refrigerator to marinate at least 1 hour, or cover and leave up to 24 hours. If using wooden skewers , soak in water 10 minutes before threading to prevent burning.
• Thread sliced protein pieces onto soaked wooden skewers or stainless-steel skewers. Reserve leftover marinade for basting .
• If grilling, lightly brush grill with oil, then set skewers over a hot fire. Grill, rotating skewers until all sides are lightly browned, basting generously with leftover marinade. (See below for oven instructions).
• After skewering, lay prepared satay on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper , if desired.
• Set oven to broil and place a rack on the highest or second-highest rung of your oven. Slide satay under broiler and broil 5 minutes before turning. Continue broiling in this way until browned on all sides and onions, if using, are lightly charred.
• Baste halfway through cooking with leftover marinade.

SATAY SWEET POTATO CURRY

Steps:

• Melt 1 tbsp coconut oil in a saucepan over a medium heat and soften 1 chopped onion for 5 mins. Add 2 grated garlic cloves and a grated thumb-sized piece of ginger, and cook for 1 min until fragrant.
• Stir in 3 tbsp Thai red curry paste, 1 tbsp smooth peanut butter and 500g sweet potato, peeled and cut into chunks, then add 400ml coconut milk and 200ml water.
• Bring to the boil, turn down the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 25-30 mins or until the sweet potato is soft.
• Stir through 200g spinach and the juice of 1 lime, and season well. Serve with cooked rice, and if you want some crunch, sprinkle over a few dry roasted peanuts.

TOFU-VEGETABLE SATAY WITH PEANUT SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare the satay: Place the tofu in a folded dish towel and gently press to remove excess liquid. Cut tofu into 1-inch cubes.
• Cut the thicker white and light green stalks of the scallions into 1-inch pieces. Thinly slice the thinner, dark green scallion stalks on the diagonal and reserve for the garnish.
• Make the peanut sauce: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add shallots, chiles and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a food processor or blender. Add the peanut butter, 5 tablespoons kecap manis and ⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon water, and blend until almost smooth. (It makes about 1 ½ cups.) Transfer sauce to a small bowl. (If the sauce thickens, add more water by the tablespoon until it is pourable.)
• Assemble the satay: Place a cube of eggplant onto a bamboo skewer, followed by a piece of pineapple, bell pepper, scallion, tofu and another piece of eggplant. Repeat with the remaining skewers.
• Heat the grill or a griddle pan over high. Use a pastry brush to dab the 1/4 cup oil all over the skewers. Once hot, line the skewers on the grill or griddle pan, working in batches as needed. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning every 2 to 3 minutes with a metal spatula or tongs, until the eggplant is cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
• Prepare the glaze: Mix 4 tablespoons kecap manis with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Brush the glaze all over the skewers.
• Pool about 1 cup peanut sauce onto a large serving plate, spreading it close to the edges of the plate. Lay the cooked skewers on top, then spoon the remaining peanut sauce on top. Drizzle lightly with 1 tablespoon of kecap manis, and garnish with the sliced scallions.

THAI SATAY STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Mix the peanut butter, chilli sauce, 100ml water and soy sauce to make a smooth satay sauce. Put the noodles in a bowl and pour boiling water over them. Stir gently to separate, then drain thoroughly.
• Heat the oil in a wok, then stir-fry the ginger and harder pieces of veg from the stir-fry mix, such as peppers, for 2 mins. Add the noodles and rest of the veg, then stir-fry over a high heat for 1-2 mins until the veg are just cooked.
• Push the veg to one side of the pan, then pour the peanut sauce into the other side, tilting the pan. Bring to the boil. Mix the sauce with the stir-fry, then sprinkle over the basil leaves and peanuts to serve.