Crispy Coconut Rice With Tofu Recipe (2024)

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Ks

This is so, so incredibly tasty and comes together really fast. Great for a weeknight no fuss dinner, but it’s so full of flavor. I left out the salt thinking the soy sauce would be enough, but don’t make that mistake. Used a thinly sliced jalapeño pepper as I didn’t have a red hot Chile pepper in the fridge and used half a can of Thai green curry paste. Got a good crunchy browning on the rice… lots of lime juice and cilantro and yum!

Simple dish that can be simpler

I’ve made this twice now, it is becoming a go-to weekly meal for me. To make it even simpler, i press the mixture into a large cast iron skillet warmed on the stove to med-high heat. This gets the bottom nice and crunchy. Then i put the skillet in the oven on high broil until the top layer is nice and crunchy. Super simple and accomplishes the same goal as the recipe. I will try this with shrimp in lieu of or maybe with tofu in the future. I used the leftovers for breakfast with an egg - YUM!

Chantal

This dish was very tasty and it's easily tweaked to include some other veggies like mushrooms or sweet onion. I roasted the tofu separately and mixed it in later to give it more texture. And I served with Thai greens.The one gripe I have: It uses a ton of oil! You get a quick weeknight meal but at the expense of health by way of 5 TBS of neutral oil (i.e. not even healthy like EVOO). It's probably just what it takes and compares to a restaurant meal but I won't make this every week.

Jessica

This is a tasty, easy recipe, and I highly recommend serving it with a crispy fried egg on top!

Erin

Reporting back re: the waffle maker method - Success! I drizzled a spoonful of oil onto a heated waffle maker, loaded it up and smooshed it down with a wooden spoon, drizzled another spoonful of oil over the top and closed it up. I let it cook for a while after the maker said it was done, and kept checking it. A little crumbly getting it out, but the method definitely has merit. Crispy!

maisa

Delicious! I did half rice and half quinoa to add nutrients and it came out delicious!

Colleen

I would press the tofu to get out a bit more water next time and hope that it would get more crisp. It was no less delicious for being not as crispy as I hoped (and maybe I was a bit stingy on the oil in the pan). I mixed everything together and cooked half one day and half the next and I could not tell the difference. I will add this to my list of dishes to mix together at home to bring for car camping or to a vacation house to have hot food with essentially no prep on site.

kch

I added the zest of one lime instead of the leaves and about half a tablespoon of grated ginger, which I would consider adding a bit more of. Instead of 3/4 cup of coconut I just did half a cup. I included a fried egg and I have to say skipping the mint is a mistake. It really enhance the flavor of the curry paste.

Stephanie

Used brown rice that had been kicking around in my freezer, didn’t have lime leaves so I zested my lime before cutting into quarters, added Red Boat fish sauce for more saltiness, add threw in a cup of chopped red bell peppers at the end which added a nice crunch. Regrettably had no fresh herbs but this dish would have been even better with them. Next time will take the suggestion of a fried egg from another reviewer, I think that would be a nice addition.

marie

Delicious easy. Love crispy rice especially with toasted peanuts, mint and curry leaves. I made too much of the mix to save and make tomorrow. Very delicious. Like Thai pilaf.

Jennifer

Great dish though I would definitely add egg or pork in lieu of tofu. Adding fish sauce would give it another layer of flavor. Overall, easy and flavorful

Rebecca S

Genius! We have waffled tofu and quesadillas at our house, why not crispy rice? Thanks for your science! :) Putting this on the to-do list.

Sally

I followed the recipe, but used only 1 T soy sauce and 3 (or more) dried lime leaves. It was fantastic. Crispy, full of texture and flavor. 5 minutes on each side with avocado oil on medium heat gave it just the right kind of crackling crisp!

Low carb maker and baker

Really good -- made with low carb cauliflower rice and still delish! Used only 2tbsp of curry paste and 1 tbsp soy sauce to not make it too salty. Still plenty of heat! Much better served with cucumbers rather than lettuce!

Kate

5 tablespoons of oil for 4 servings is only slightly more than a tablespoon per person. For a one-pot meal. Relax.

Gale S

Good technique for getting the crispy rice bottom. I will use this technique for my own fried rice combos! A hit with my family.

Nancy

This was delicious!! I followed the advice to finish off the top side under a broiler. It crisped the top beautifully! I will make this over and over!

Jean

Good but did not crisp up as much as I had hoped. Perhaps the mixture was a bit too wet. Like others, I roasted my tofu separately with some seasoning for more flavor. And I love the recommendation of the waffle iron method. That seems genius!

Penny

This may be blasphemy, but can this recipe be made with other protein- like chicken? I see someone has suggested shrimp. Anyone tried this?

Jean

It would work with any protein and vegetables that you like really. I added kale to mine for example. Shredding or small dice would probably make it easier to work with, but it should be fine.

Caitlyn

This is delicious! Used a red curry paste that was fairly salty so didn’t add extra salt (and kept the amt at 3 tbs since I was feeding my one year old as well). It was sooo good with the coconut. I used about 3tbs of avocado oil and a little avocado oil spray before the flip, and it turned out great. Next time I might try coconut oil to amp up the savory coconut flavor. Served with butter lettuce, thin sliced cucumber, and a mountain of mint and cilantro. Perfect!

AA

Avocado oil would be a good choice.

Gabrielle H

This recipe is one of my most cooked!! It makes a very large portion but I eat it for lunches throughout the week. Spicy, crunchy, and flexible! I even add assorted veggies to it.

AA

This is a fabulous weeknight meal because it is FAST but full of flavor. I used a full can of Maesri red curry paste and it was just the right amount of spice. I followed the advice to finish it under the broiler and it turned out perfect, with no need to babysit the pan. Crushed roasted peanuts make a great extra garnish.

Zoë

Has anyone tried making this with actual coconut rice? Thinking of trying tonight, I’ll go light on the coconut milk to avoid an overly soupy mix.

gold beach baker

Press the tofu. And add it before everything to the curry paste mixture. Let it all marinate for about an hour Also, add a green veg like asparagus or green beans. So yum

Val

Made per the directions except no added salt, the soy was sufficient for me. Taste before cooking. Very tasty and quick. Next time I’ll add some ginger as suggested.

C

Wish I had added more veggies protein. Used a slightly too small cast iron and the bake/broil method. Outside was perfectly crispy so I just scooped off the good parts and rebroiled as needed. Our green chili paste was HOT. I’ll be sure to check that next time.

H

Delicious! Used less curry paste - 2 Tbsp red curry paste. And more sesame oil - 2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil.

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Crispy Coconut Rice With Tofu Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why can't I get my tofu crispy? ›

If your crispy tofu isn't getting crispy, it could be because there is too much moisture in the tofu. Another issue could be the oil isn't hot enough to fry the tofu. Or you forgot to add the corn flour. These three reasons can cause your tofu to be soggy or not crisp up as much as you'd like.

Can you toss tofu in flour instead of cornstarch? ›

Substitutions: If you prefer not to cook with cornstarch, you can substitute in an equal volume of all-purpose flour or potato starch. Tofu: This recipe can also be made with medium-firm tofu, but you'll need to be a bit more gentle while pressing and coating it.

Why does my coconut rice come out mushy? ›

Do not add too much liquid. If you end up with mushy rice, it's probably because your water to rice ratio is off. Too much liquid means the rice has to absorb more which means it will have to cook longer and lead to overcooked rice. This ratio in this recipe will lead to perfect rice!

What is crispy tofu made of? ›

Mix the cornflour, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Unravel the tofu from the paper, cut in half through the centre, then cut into triangles, cubes or strips. Toss the tofu pieces in the spiced cornflour to coat all over. Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat.

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

How long to press tofu for crispy? ›

How long does it take to press tofu? It takes around half an hour to press the tofu in preparation for cooking. It's simple to do and requires very little effort. You only need a plate, some absorbent fabric or paper, such as clean tea-towels or kitchen paper, and a weight – we often use a frying pan.

Can I use coconut flour instead of cornstarch? ›

Coconut flour

Of course, you can also substitute cornstarch with this popular keto flour as well. It can be used to thicken syrups, sauces, and fillings. But keep in mind that it has a distinctly coconut-y flavor that can take over your recipe if you're not using spices or using mild-flavored ingredients.

What is a substitute for cornstarch when crisping? ›

If you don't have cornstarch, you can substitute all-purpose flour in favor for a more routine breading and frying procedure. You can also use rice flour or potato flour, which are commonly used for tempura, and this will create a similar lacy, crunchy texture.

What is a good substitute for cornstarch in tofu? ›

7 Options When You Need a Cornstarch Substitute
  • Potato Starch. Pros: Gluten-free, vegan, paleo-friendly. ...
  • Arrowroot Powder. Pros: Gluten-free, vegan, paleo-friendly. ...
  • All-Purpose Flour. Pros: Vegan. ...
  • Xanthan Gum. Pros: Gluten-free, vegan, keto-friendly. ...
  • Tapioca. Pros: Gluten-free, vegan, keto-friendly. ...
  • Rice Flour. ...
  • Guar Gum.
Jun 10, 2021

What to accompany coconut rice? ›

Coconut Rice will go great with…
  1. Everything Thai and Vietnamese.
  2. Chickpea Potato Curry or Vegetable Curry.
  3. Jamaican Jerk Chicken and Jerk Fish.
  4. Beef Rendang.
  5. Thai Marinated Chicken (Gai Yang) or Southern Thai Chicken.
  6. Thai Chilli Basil Chicken Stir Fry.
  7. Pineapple Coconut Hawaiian Chicken Skewers.
Nov 11, 2014

Can I use coconut cream instead of coconut milk? ›

Can You Replace Coconut Cream with Coconut Milk? The good news about coconut cream and coconut milk is that although they may be different consistencies, they're very similar. You can use coconut cream in place of milk if you dilute it with additional water. Different coconut cream brands vary on fat content.

How unhealthy is fried tofu? ›

Frying tofu can give it a crispy texture, but comes at a cost – it can be high in calories, up to three times more than baked or air-fried tofu. This is because frying requires added oil as a heat conductor, which cooks the tofu evenly but also makes it absorb more oil, resulting in more fat and calories.

Is it better to fry or bake tofu? ›

Baked, Not Fried.

My method for baking tofu produces tofu that's chewy, but it's cooked in the oven, making it much healthier.

How long to press tofu for crispy tofu? ›

For the best results, I recommend pressing tofu for at least 30 minutes before cooking, though longer is great if you're able to plan ahead. In a pinch, even less time can make a big difference. I pressed the left block of tofu in the photo above for just 20 minutes. An unpressed block of tofu is on the right.

Why is my tofu so mushy after cooking? ›

Pressing is a particularly important step for crispy tofu if you are looking to cook without oil. If you do not press you will end up with a mushy texture. Pressing works best if you are going to slice your tofu block.

How do you get cornstarch to stick to tofu? ›

A light coating of cornstarch will absorb even more moisture from the tofu's surface and contribute to a distinct coating. Sprinkle over the starch (potato starch, tapioca starch, and arrowroot all work too) a little bit at a time and toss the tofu, pressing gently so the starch adheres.

How do you get breading to stick to tofu? ›

Pour breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast, and salt onto a plate and mix thoroughly. Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Dip the tofu strips into the cornstarch mixture until evenly coated and immediately press into the breadcrumbs until all sides of the tofu are completely covered.

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