Tofu & Pineapple Stir Fry with fresh ginger & turmeric

Before I list the ingredients, I must first say that I absolutely adore this stir fry and here's why:

1) It's super healthy and a great vegetarian/vegan option, bursting with nutrition and antioxidants not readily found in other meals
2) It's as beautiful as it is delicious
3)While it takes a little bit of effort, even the most novice cook could throw this together because there is not all that much cooking or fancy technique involved; the ingredients do the work.
4) It's a really fun recipe to prepare with family & friends, as everyone can share and partake in the vegetable prepping.
5) The tofu adds such nice heartiness to this! It is very filling, without feeling heavy! But if you absolutely detest tofu, you can easily substitute meat or shrimp for an equally succulent meal!

RECIPE
* = optional ingredient
Prep time: 20-30 minutes
Cook time: 12-20 minutes
Total time: 32-50 minutes
level: Intermediate (moderate effort required)



Ingredients:

olive oil (1/4 cup)
1/2 yellow sweet onion, diced
soy sauce (3-4 tablespoons)
1/2 pineapple (cut into triangular cubes)
turmeric root (peeled and grated)
ginger root (peeled and grated)
broccoli (1 large head)
sugar snap peas (about 1 cup)
1 red, green, or yellow bell pepper, sliced lengthwise
mushrooms (any, but I prefer baby portobello, sliced into quarters)
carrots (peel & julienne, or simply cut into medium-thin strips lengthwise)
Tofu (I prefer medium firm, it crumbles into the sauce adding texture & heartiness)
garlic (3 medium-large cloves, diced)
*dried red pepper flakes (sprinkle on for some heat, add as desired)
*sesame seeds (1 tablespoon)
*crushed cashews or peanuts (1 tablespoon)


PREPARATION:

1) Prep all vegetables, washing if needed (onion, pineapple, broccoli, snap peas, bell pepper, mushrooms, carrots)
2) Dice garlic; peel turmeric & ginger
3) Heat pan on low setting; add olive oil, onion, soy sauce & pineapple
4) Grate turmeric & ginger over pan; I usually grate about a quarter inch worth, or 1/2 teaspoon depending on desired flavor strength (taste for flavor)
5) Let simmer for 5 minutes or so, until onions soften, stirring occasionally. At this time the pineapple will begin to soften and release juice, making for a sweet and flavorful sauce that will balance the savory flavor of the vegetables and soy sauce
6) Add all other vegetables & tofu


7) Turn heat to medium or high (Medium- will need to cook longer; veggies will be softer. High- will cook faster, veggies come out more crisp)
8) If cooking on medium heat, let cook for 6-8 minutes stirring frequently. If cooking on high, let cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly (taste for flavor and try one vegetable to determine texture)
9) Add garlic & *red pepper flakes, continue to stir for 1-3 minutes more depending on desired texture (cook longer for softer)
10) Serve over rice or noodles if desired; garnish with sesame seeds and/or crushed cashew/peanuts
11) Enjoy !