Go Back

Vegan Katsu Curry

Battered tofu in a thick curry sauce served alongside coconut rice. A tasty plant based meal that will please both meat eaters and vegans alike.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: vegan
Servings: 4
Author: aveggiefeast

Ingredients

For the sauce

  • 1 tbsp rapeseed or vegetable oil
  • Thumb of ginger finely chopped
  • 2 large garlic cloves finely chopped
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1.5 tablespoons medium curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 250 mls water
  • 200 mls coconut milk
  • 1.5 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1.5 tablespoons tamari sauce
  • 1 teaspoon red miso paste
  • 1/4 lemon juiced
  • 2 tablespoons cornflour

For the batter

  • 400 g firm tofu
  • 50 g plain flour
  • 100 g golden breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon cornflour
  • 1.5 tablespoons paprika
  • Salt to season
  • 50 mls soy milk
  • 3 tablespoons rapeseed or vegetable oil

Instructions

  • Start by preparing the katsu sauce. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a moderate heat. Fry the onion for 3 minutes, reduce the heat, then add the garlic, ginger, curry powder and turmeric. Cook for a further 2 minutes.
  • Next, add the water, coconut milk, maple syrup, tamari sauce, miso paste, lemon juice and cornflour. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat until the sauce is at a vigorous simmer.
  • Cook until the the sauce has thickened, approximately 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and pour the sauce into a food processor. Blend on high for 30 seconds or until the sauce is completely smooth.
  • Drain and gently press the tofu in between a clean tea towel. After pressing for a minute, slice the tofu into 10 rectangular blocks.
  • Spread the flour onto a plate. On a second plate, combine the breadcrumbs, cornstarch and paprika, and season generously with salt.
  • Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Fully coat the tofu blocks in the flour, then the soy milk and finally coat in the breadcrumb mixture. Add the tofu to the pan and and cook for 2 minutes. Carefully turn over the tofu and cook on the other side for 2 minutes. The tofu is ready when the breadcrumb coating is crisp and has turned a deep golden-brown shade.
  • Serve alongside coconut rice and your vegetable of choice. Finish by pouring over a generous helping of the katsu sauce.