Meatless Monday: Thai Tofu Pumpkin Curry

Did you know that improving your health can be as easy as cutting out meat and processed cold cuts one day a week? Doing so can reduce your risk of chronic preventable conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.

Enter Meatless Monday. This week's recipe is Thai Tofu Pumpkin Curry. "Kaffir lime leaves and thai basil’s herbal notes add depth of flavor to this curry, finished off with a bright squeeze of lime," writes the Meatless Monday website. They add, "Curry powder and chili powder give this supper a kick, while fresh thyme lends its herbal undertone."

Serves 4

•    2 tablespoons canola oil
•    3 tablespoons red or yellow curry paste*
•    1-2 Thai chilis*, minced
•    1 can coconut water*
•    1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
•    3 kaffir lime leaves*
•    1/2 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
•    1/4 cup bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
•    1/4 cup Fresno peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
•    1/2 8 ounce block extra firm tofu, cubed
•    3/4 cup pumpkin, peeled and cubed
•    1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
•    1/2 cup Thai basil leaves*
•    1 lime, cut into wedges

*Found in Asian markets or the Asian section of some grocery stores.

Place the oil into a large wok over medium-high heat. Season with the curry paste and thai chilis. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the spices become fragrant.

Whisk the coconut water, sugar and lime leaves into the wok. Cook for 2-3 minutes more.

Add the green beans, bell peppers, Fresno peppers, tofu, pumpkin and vegetable stock to the wok. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 25 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked through.

Add the Thai basil to the wok. Stir and remove from heat. Divide into 4 portions, top with a squeeze of lime and enjoy!

Nutrition info: 139 calories, 8 g total fat, 9 g saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 174 mg sodium, 14 g total carbs, 3 g dietary fiber, 5 g protein and 10 g sugar.

This recipe comes to us from Ashley of Ashleyz Sprout.

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(Photo: Creative Commons via Flickr.com/setrowbridge)