Vegetarian Bicol Express45m$11.64

Vegetarian Bicol Express

A creamy, spicy Filipino Bicol-style vegetarian stew with extra-firm tofu simmered in coconut milk, serrano peppers, onion, garlic, and ginger. It is a plant-based dinner centered on rich coconut sauce and chile heat.

20 min prep25 min cook4 servingsmedium
Cuisine
Filipino
Energy
349 calories per serving
Protein
15 g per serving
Carbs
13 g per serving
Fat
26.8 g per serving
Sodium
638 mg per serving

Shopping options

kosher salt

Common item
Not selected

3 Gram

Diamond Crystal Salt Co. Kosher Salt Flakes

Diamond Crystal16 oz
$5.99
Buy 1
Ingredient Cost$0.04

1%

Estimated

granulated sugar

4 Gram

Kroger® Pure Cane Granulated Sugar

Kroger4 lb
$4.49
Buy 1
Ingredient Cost$0.01

0%

Estimated

fresh ginger, grated

6 Gram

Organic Ginger Root

1 lb
$3.99
Buy 1
Ingredient Cost$0.05

3%

Estimated

serrano peppers, thinly sliced

4 Each

Fresh Green Serrano Peppers

1 lb
$3.99
Buy 2
Ingredient Cost$0.27

67%

Estimated

full-fat unsweetened coconut milk

360 Milliliter

Thai Kitchen Unsweetened Coconut Milk

Thai Kitchen13.66 fl oz
$3.99$3.49
Sale
Buy 1
Ingredient Cost$3.11

89%

Estimated

neutral vegetable oil

30 Milliliter

Kroger® 100% Pure Vegetable Oil

Kroger32 fl oz
$3.29
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Ingredient Cost$0.10

3%

Estimated

reduced-sodium soy sauce

30 Milliliter

Kikkoman® Less Sodium Soy Sauce

Kikkoman10 fl oz
$2.99
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Ingredient Cost$0.30

10%

Estimated

yellow onion, diced

150 Gram

Diced Yellow Onions Fresh Cut In Store Daily

8 oz
$2.99
Buy 1
Ingredient Cost$1.98

66%

Estimated

extra-firm tofu

450 Gram

Simple Truth Organic® Extra Firm Tofu

Simple Truth Organic14 oz
$1.99
Buy 2
Ingredient Cost$2.26

57%

Estimated

garlic cloves, minced

4 Count

Garlic

1 ct
$0.89
Buy 4
Ingredient Cost$3.56

100%

Estimated

Cost Summary

Availability unavailable
$11.64

· only what you use

$2.91

per serving · 4 servings

You pay at checkout$26.79
43% used in this recipe$15.15 left over for future meals

All ingredients selected

Checkout$32.78
Recipe portion$11.68

1 common item not selected — staples start unchecked; select them above to include them.

Cook this recipe

  • extra-firm tofu-450 g
  • full-fat unsweetened coconut milk-360 ml
  • serrano peppers-4 each
  • yellow onion-150 g
  • garlic cloves-4 cloves
  • fresh ginger-6 g
  • neutral vegetable oil-30 ml
  • reduced-sodium soy sauce-30 ml
  • granulated sugar-4 g
  • kosher salt-3 g
1
Prepare tofu and aromatics
Cutting Board
Chef’s knife
Plate

Drain and press the tofu for 15 minutes, then cut it into 1-inch cubes; dice the onion, slice the serrano peppers, mince the garlic, and grate the ginger.

Wash hands, knife, and cutting board well after handling serrano peppers.

450 Gram tofu
150 Gram yellow onion
4 Each serrano pepper
4 Count garlic
6 Gram ginger
2
Brown the tofu
Spatula
Large skillet with lid
Plate

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the tofu and brown for 6 to 8 minutes, turning gently until the edges are lightly golden; transfer the tofu to a plate.

Use a spatula carefully when turning tofu to avoid splashes from hot oil.

30 Milliliter vegetable oil
450 Gram tofu
3
Cook the aromatics
Spatula
Large skillet with lid

Reduce the heat to medium, add the onion, and cook for 3 minutes until softened; stir in the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

150 Gram yellow onion
4 Count garlic
6 Gram ginger
4
Season the aromatics
Spatula
Large skillet with lid
Measuring cups and spoons

Add the serrano peppers, soy sauce, sugar, and salt, then stir for 30 seconds to coat the aromatics and wake up the chile heat.

4 Each serrano pepper
30 Milliliter soy sauce
4 Gram sugar
3 Gram Kosher Salt
5
Start the coconut sauce
Spatula
Large skillet with lid
Measuring cups and spoons

Pour in the coconut milk, scrape the bottom of the skillet, and bring to a gentle simmer; cook for 3 minutes until the sauce looks smooth and lightly thickened.

Keep the coconut milk at a gentle simmer to reduce splattering and prevent scorching.

360 Milliliter coconut milk
6
Simmer the tofu in sauce
Spatula
Large skillet with lid

Return the tofu to the skillet, cover, and simmer gently for 8 to 10 minutes until the tofu absorbs flavor and the sauce is creamy and slightly reduced.

Lift the lid away from your face and hands to avoid hot steam.

450 Gram tofu
7
Finish and serve
Spatula
Large skillet with lid

Uncover, stir carefully, and taste for seasoning; serve hot when the sauce is rich, spicy, and spoonable.

Let the stew cool briefly before eating because coconut-based sauces hold heat well.

8

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