Easy Balsamic Vinegar Tofu & Vegetable Skewers with Simple Fried Rice

These vegetable and tofu skewers will brighten up any barbecue or parties. An easy marinade and an even easier way to get all the ingredients grilled, Who wants to bite into uncooked mushrooms or onion? Simple Fried Rice as a side dish helps to complete the meal. Vegan and Vegetarian. Gluten and Dairy Free.

These skewers can be prepared and cooked in 30 minutes (or an hour if you are marinating longer) and the simple fried rice prob another 30 mins?  This whole meal can be prepared in an hour flat. In fact, I constantly challenge myself to cook a meal, be it lunch or dinner, in 1 hr. Do you think I succeed?

Ingredients for Vegetable and Tofu Skewers( 4 sticks)

1 small zucchini, sliced medium thick

8 white mushrooms, stems trimmed and washed

1/2 yellow onion, cut into big pieces

1/2 block of firm tofu, cubed medium

2 red baby bell peppers, sliced medium thick

Oil for grilling the tofu and Vegetables.

Marinade

2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar

3 tbsps EVOO

Sea Salt

Freshly Ground Pepper

Chilli flakes

Method for Vegetable and Tofu Skewers
Whisk all the marinade ingredients together in a bowl.
Immerse all the vegetables and tofu in the marinade and keep aside for 30mins to an hour. The longer the better as the flavors would have then infused in the vegetables and tofu.
After an hour, take a grilling pan and heat 2 - 3  tbsp. canola oil. Grill the vegetables and tofu, turning over,  until they are cooked and tofu is golden brown on all sides.
Pierce the vegetables and tofu with a skewer in an alternating fashion.
Serve warm with a Simple Fried Rice.

Ingredients for Simple Fried Rice (Serves 4)
1.5 cups of Jasmine Rice, cooked and cooled
2 tbsps. canola oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped finely
3 Garlic cloves,  pounded
1 cup of mixed vegetables (carrot, peas, beans and lima beans)
1 tbsp. sambal oelek or any other chilli paste.
1 tbsp. mushroom seasoning
Light Soy sauce per your preference.

Method for Simple Fried Rice
 Heat a deep pot and fry the onion and then the garlic till light golden brown,
Add in all the seasonings and the mixed vegetables and cook for 5-10 mins.
Put the cooked rice in and combine well.
Serve warm with any vegetable and tofu dish.