Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Events
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Gluten Free

    Panang Tofu Curry

    Ashley Covelli standing in the kitchen wearing an apron with the Big Flavors logo.
    Modified: Feb 4, 2021 · Published: Apr 6, 2015 by Ashley · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment
    • Facebook
    • Email
    • Flip
    • Threads
    • Bluesky

    This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

    Carrots, bell peppers and turmeric make this a colorful curry.

    I'm a big fan of all types of curries, so I was excited to find a quick and easy weeknight version.

    Panang Tofu Curry

    This curry has potential, but unfortunately didn't pack much flavor as written. I also find that sometimes when tofu is just cut up and added to dishes, it doesn't really shine, so I think that pan-frying the tofu first would be a good thing. It would also add some really nice texture.

    I think if the spices were amped up in this recipe, it would have worked better for us. It got great reviews over on Epicurious, so it's definitely right for some people. We just weren't too fond of it.

    Panang Tofu Curry

    1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
    ½ cup finely chopped shallots
    2 tablespoons finely grated peeled ginger
    4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
    ¼ cup organic peanut butter
    2 teaspoons turmeric
    1 teaspoon ground cumin
    1 teaspoon hot chili paste (such as sambal oelek)*
    1 cup water
    1 13 ½-to 14-ounce can organic light coconut milk
    3 kaffir lime leaves or 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice and 1 ½ teaspoons finely grated lime peel
    1 tablespoon (firmly packed) golden brown sugar
    2 14-ounce packages organic firm tofu, drained, cut into 1-inch cubes
    1 ½ cups ¼- to ⅓-inch-thick slices peeled carrots (about 3 medium)
    1 large red bell pepper, cut into ¾-inch pieces

    Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots, ginger, and garlic; cook until shallots are tender, about 6 minutes. Add peanut butter, turmeric, cumin, and chili paste; stir until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in 1 cup water, then coconut milk, lime leaves, and brown sugar; bring to simmer. Season sauce with salt. Add tofu, carrots, and bell pepper; simmer over medium heat until carrots are tender, adjusting heat to medium-low if beginning to boil and occasionally stirring gently, about 20 minutes. Season to taste with salt. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Cool slightly, cover, and chill. Rewarm over medium heat before serving.

    * Available in the Asian foods section of many supermarkets and at Asian markets.

    Head to Epicurious for the full recipe

    More Gluten Free

    • Spoonful of cucumber raita in a bowl.
      Cucumber Raita
    • Two shallow bowls with rice and chicken paillards topped with tomato-dill relish.
      Dill Chicken Paillards with Tomato-Dill Relish
    • Serving dish of cilantro lime rice with lime wedges and cilantro sprigs alongside.
      Easy Cilantro Lime Rice
    • Spoon scooping up pico de gallo from a bowl.
      Classic Pico de Gallo AKA Salsa Fresca

    Comments

    No Comments

    Leave a comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Hi, I'm Ashley and I’ve been writing about food & recipes here at Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen since 2006. I want to help you (yes, you!) gain confidence in the kitchen so you are excited to cook at home for yourself and your loved ones.

    More about me →

    Favorite Winter Recipes

    • Grandpa Henderson's Beef Stew
    • Curried Pumpkin Soup
    • Spatchcocked Turkey
    • Chicken a la King
    • Instant Pot Herbed Pot Roast
    • Roasted Honeynut Squash with Burrata, Pomegranate, + Pepitas
    • Spicy Turkey Three-Bean Chili
    • Gingerbread Pancakes with Peppermint Whipped Cream
    • Spiced Mulled Wine
    • Italian Sausage and Peppers
    • Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
    • Homemade Cereal Mix

    Holiday Baking

    • Grandma's Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
    • Maple Cookies
    • Italian Cream Cheese and Ricotta Cheesecake
    • Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies
    • 125+ Holiday Cookies from Around the World
    • Italian Ricotta Cookies
    • Chai Spiced Snickerdoodle Cookies
    • Melt-in-Your-Mouth Buttermilk Chocolate Cookies

    Popular Now

    • Cast iron skillet full of chicken fajitas.
      Favorite Restaurant-Style Chicken Fajitas
    • Cooling rack of decorated cut out sugar cookies.
      Grandma's Classic Cut Out Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe
    • Close up of a few cucumber slices topped with a spiced chickpea purée.
      Falafel-Spiced Cucumber Bites
    • Overhead view of spinach and cheddar quiche with forks.
      Baby Spinach and Cheddar Quiche Made with Fresh Spinach
    • No Mayo Deviled Eggs: Skip the mayo in this appetizer favorite - guaranteed to be a hit at any party!
      No Mayo Deviled Eggs
    • Small cutting board with sliced smoked salmon roll-ups on top.
      Smoked Salmon Roll-ups with Cream Cheese

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Ashley
    • Press + Recognition
    • Events
    • Virtual Cooking Classes
    • Podcast
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign up to receive delicious recipes and exclusive content right to your inbox!

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no added cost to you.

    ©2006–2026  BIG FLAVORS FROM A TINY KITCHEN LLC | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

    *Third-party advertisers may collect or use non-personally identifiable information to serve you more relevant ads.