Vegan Sweet & Sour Casserole

Vegan Sweet & Sour Casserole

I love this dish.  It is super easy to throw together and is amazingly delicious!

I created this recipe out of my love for all things sweet, wonderful, healthy & easy.  The sweet & sour sauce in this recipe is so versatile you can use it in just about any dish you'd like.  The complete recipe has a few steps in it (cooking the rice, cutting the veggies, and making the sauce), but you will NOT be disappointed!  The sauce is super delicious and this dish can be made with tempeh, tofu, or seitan.  Our carnivore friends can even add chicken, pork or beef if they so desire.  I have not yet met one person who doesn't enjoy this dish.  

Happy eating!

Veggie Ingredients:

Brick of Firm Tofu (14oz or 16oz)
1/2 Yellow Bell Pepper
1/2 Orange Bell Pepper
1 1/2 C. Chopped Broccoli
15 oz. Can Mandarin Oranges
7 or 8  Sliced Baby Bella Mushrooms
Garbanzo Beans (as many as you'd like)
1 C. Rice

Sweet & Sour Sauce:

15 oz. Can of Pineapple Chunks (reserve 1 cup of pineapple juice)
1 Tbsp. White Vinegar
1 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
1 Tbsp. Soy Sauce
1 Tbsp Corn Starch
2 Tbsp Ketchup

Method:

350F Oven ~45mins

1. Start cooking rice according to package instructions
2. Drain tofu and pat dry with paper towels. Crumble the tofu in heated skillet with ~1 tsp olive oil and cook until done to your liking. I like mine to be a bit firm with a yellow outside.
3. Chop all your veggies (minus the pineapple, oranges, and garbanzo beans) and add to the tofu skillet and cook just until slightly soft. Remove from heat & set aside.

3. Drain the pineapple to get 1 cup of juice (if it isn't quite 1 cup, add some water).  Reserve the pineapple chunks.  Mix the pineapple juice and all other ingredients in a medium saucepan.  Cook and stir over medium heat until thick like gravy.  Set aside.
4.Place cooked rice in the bottom of a greased 9x13" pan or in a large pie plate (I prefer mine in a pie plate).
5.Throw all your veggies, pineapple, mandarin oranges, and garbanzo beans on top of the rice in whatever order your heart desires.
6.  Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the entire casserole.
7. Bake uncovered in preheated oven for ~45 minutes until the veggies are cooked to your liking and the casserole is hot & bubbly.
8. Remove & enjoy!