Ingredients

  • 1 2/3 cups fresh cilantro (from about 1/2 bunch), long, thick stems removed
  • 3/4 cup roasted, unsalted peanuts
  • 1/3 cup Sriracha hot sauce
  • 2 tablespoons finely grated lime zest (from about 3 medium limes)
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 3 medium limes)
  • 1/4 cup toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 medium garlic cloves
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 cups quinoa, any color or variety
  • 1 (14-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk
  • 1 1/3 cups vegetable stock or low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
  • 1 (14- to 16-ounce) package firm tofu
  • 2 medium carrots (about 8 ounces)
  • 1 medium broccoli head (about 1 pound)
  • 4 medium scallions
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
  • Coarsely chopped roasted, unsalted peanuts
  • Thinly sliced scallions

Method

  • Place all of the ingredients in a food processor fitted with a blade attachment.
  • Process until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, about 1 minute; set aside.
  • Rinse the quinoa in a strainer under cold water until the water runs clear.
  • Place in a large saucepan; add the coconut milk, vegetable broth, and measured salt; and stir to combine.
  • Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  • Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the white outer casings on the quinoa have popped, revealing translucent little beads, about 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, line a large plate with several layers of paper towels.
  • Drain the tofu, cut it into large dice, and place it in a single layer on the paper-towel-lined plate; set aside.
  • Trim the carrots and cut them into 1/8-inch-thick rounds; set aside.
  • Trim the stem of the broccoli to 1/2 inch and cut the head into 1-inch florets; set aside.
  • Thinly slice the white and light green parts of the scallions; set aside.
  • When the quinoa is ready, remove it to a large serving bowl and set aside.
  • Wash the saucepan, fill it with water, and season generously with salt.
  • Cover with a tightfitting lid and bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  • Add the tofu and cook without stirring until the bottoms are golden brown, about 4 minutes.
  • (While the tofu is cooking, line the plate you drained it on with fresh paper towels.)
  • Flip and cook until the other sides are golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes more.
  • Using a slotted spoon, remove to the paper-towel-lined plate and season with salt; set aside.
  • Add the carrots to the boiling water and cook until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes.
  • Using a slotted spoon, remove them to the bowl with the quinoa.
  • Return the water to a boil, add the broccoli, and cook until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes.
  • Drain in a colander and place in the bowl with the quinoa and carrots.
  • Add the cooked tofu, dressing, and scallions to the bowl and stir to combine.
  • Garnish with additional cilantro, peanuts, and scallions before serving.