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A Perfect Weeknight Dinner: Tempeh & Veggie Skillet! – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

A Perfect Weeknight Dinner: Tempeh & Veggie Skillet!

A quick, plant-based skillet dinner featuring tempeh and a medley of fresh vegetables in an aromatic tomato and herb sauce. This hearty and healthy meal is perfect for a weeknight and is incredibly easy to work with, especially for those new to tempeh.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 cup
Calories: 295

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 small zucchini, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
  • 1 large green bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch / 1.25 cm dice
  • 8 oz (225 g) tempeh, cut into 1/2-inch / 1.25 cm cubes
  • 1 1/2 cups (355 ml) finely chopped peeled tomatoes with their juice, from a 16-oz / 450 g (15.9 oz) can
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) dry vermouth, or dry red or white wine
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped fresh basil, or 1/4 tsp dried basil
  • 1/4 tsp (20 ml) dried marjoram
  • 1/4 tsp (20 ml) dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp (20 ml) salt, or to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • for the Best Tempeh Skillet
  • For an even better flavor and texture, steam the tempeh cubes for 10 minutes before adding them to the skillet. This step helps remove any slight bitterness and allows the tempeh to absorb the sauce more effectively.
  • Feel free to customize the vegetables based on what's in season or in your fridge. Sliced mushrooms, eggplant, or yellow squash would all be delicious additions.
  • For a spicy kick, add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon (10 ml / 0.3 fl oz) of red pepper flakes along with the dried herbs.

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, and sauté for 2 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant.
  3. Add the zucchini and continue to toss for another 2 minutes.
  4. Finally, add the green pepper and tempeh cubes, and cook for 5 more minutes, tossing occasionally until the tempeh is lightly browned.
  5. Pour in the chopped tomatoes, vermouth, and add all the remaining herbs and seasonings.
  6. Stir everything together well to combine.
  7. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. The goal is for the sauce to become fragrant and slightly thickened, while the vegetables still retain a bit of a crisp-tender bite.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
  9. Serve immediately while hot. This dish can also be made ahead; simply cover and chill for up to 24 hours, then reheat slowly on the stovetop until piping hot.
  10. While delicious with brown rice, this dish is also fantastic served over quinoa, creamy polenta, or with a side of crusty bread for dipping.

Nutrition

Calories: 295kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 12gFat: 20g

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