Tempeh is a fermented soy bean cake from Indonesia. Tempeh has a nutty flavor, firm texture, and is very high in protein, making it a great meat substitute in vegetarian and vegan recipes. In this tempeh stir fry recipe, I use some fresh asparagus.

I like Light life tempehs, they have great texture and taste. For this stir fry recipe, I used Light life wild rice tempeh.

I like to serve the stir fry with a quick and simple ginger pearl couscous (also called Israeli couscous or mograbiah). Regular couscous, quinoa, orzo or brown rice with ginger will also be great.

More tempeh stir fry recipes on the web..
Broccoli tempeh stir fry recipe on Iron Stef
Another broccoli and tempeh stir fry recipe on Cate’s world kitchen
Stir fried summer vegetables and tempeh in coconut curry sauce recipe on savvy vegetarian

Asparagus and Tempeh Stir Fry Recipe

serves 2-3

1 bunch asparagus (about 35 asparagus spears)
8 oz tempeh
1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil

For the sauce
1 teaspoon corn starch
 1/2 cup cold water
1 teaspoon fermented black beans, mashed with a fork
2 cloves garlic, chopped, optional
2 tablespoon soy sauce

Trim away the thick bottom ends of the asparagus. Then cut the asparagus spears in half. Cut the tempeh into 1 inch cubes.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the corn starch and water until there are no lump. Then add all other sauce ingredients.

Add the cubed tempeh to the bowl with the sauce. Toss well. Let it marinate for about half an hour. If you are in a hurry, you can skip the marinating.

Heat a large wok with the oil. Pull out the tempeh from the marinating liquid, and save the liquid. Add the tempeh to the wok, and sauté for 3 minutes or until the tempeh is lightly browned.

Add the asparagus spears, and stir 1 minute. Pour the reserved marinating liquid into the work, and let it boil for about a minute or till the asparagus is tender, but still a little crisp.

Serve with ginger pearl couscous.

Ginger Pearl Couscous or Israeli Couscous or Mograbiah recipe

1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon finely minced fresh ginger
½ cup pearl couscous, also called Israeli couscous or mograbia
Salt

Heat sesame oil in a medium skillet. Add the ginger and let it sizzle for 30 seconds on medium heat. Add the pearl couscous and stir for 3 minutes or until it is lightly brown. Add 1 ¼ cup water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover the pan and cook for about 10 minutes or till the couscous is done. Sprinkle with salt.

You can substitute the Israeli couscous with regular couscous, quinoa, orzo or brown rice. Just sauté the ginger and then follow the package directions on the couscous, quinoa, orzo or brown rice.

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I am blessed to I have friends whom Ive known since childhood. These are the people I can be myself with and I know will support me through anything.

One such friend is Vidya. As children, Vidya and I hung out in each others’ houses all the time. We’ve shared much, and had a lot of fun together. And through the years, no matter where in this world we were, we’ve kept the close friendship going.

A few winters ago, Vidya drove up from North Carolina to visit me. She came bearing a tub of marinated olives and a delicious merlot. We sat in my kitchen late that night, talking, eating, drinking and watching the snow fall. We were warmed by friendship and wine.

Vidya then made us a midnight snack – Israeli couscous with cumin and roasted peanuts. We chatted and sipped wine as Vidya cooked the nutty, chewy, cumin scented dish. There we were, old friends, in the middle of a winter’s night; cooking, laughing and enjoying the sisterhood of a 20 year old friendship.

Thankyou Vidya, for so much more than just this recipe.

Vidya’s recipe for israeli or pearl couscous is a shortcut version of Indian sabudana or sago kichdi. The traditional recipe uses sabudana (tapioca pearls). But I like Vidya’s version with israeli couscous, its easy to make and you really cant mess it up. This is a great, 10 minute vegan snack or side dish.

Israeli couscous, also called pearl couscous or mograbiah or ptitim is a type of pasta from the Levant region. If you dont have pearl couscous on hand, sustitute with cooked orzo or tapioca pearls.

Check out this curried Israeli couscous (mograbieh) recipe on gourmet sleuth. Vegan Yum Yum has a simple, vegan recipe for lemon pearl couscous.

But its this  couscous and mograbhia (israeli couscous) recipe on Dana Treat that really reminded me that I havent made this israeli couscous recipe in a while. Dana said she has a big load of israeli couscous and is always looking for recipes. Dana, this is for you  

I use 1/2 cup peanuts in this recipe, which is on the peanutty side. Thats how I like it. If you feel this is too much, reduce the amout of peanuts to upto 1/4 cup.

Israeli Couscous (Pearl Couscous or Mograbiah) with Roasted Peanuts Recipe

serves about 4 as a side

for the couscous

1 tablespoon oil
1 cup israeli couscous or pearl couscous, uncooked

for sauteing

1 tablespoon oil
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
a few curry leaves, optional
2 green or dried red chillies (or according to taste), chopped. Use jalapenos instead if you dont want it too spicy.
1/2 cup roasted peanuts, crushed lightly (this will be on the peanutty side, reduce the amount of peanuts if you wish)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
salt

Heat oil in a large non stick skillet. Add couscous. Stir the couscous on low heat till it turns color and becomes light brown. Add 2 cups water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover the skillet and simmer till all the water is absorbed, 5-7 minutes. Couscous should not be mushy. 

While, couscous is cooking, take a wok, heat the oil and add cumin seeds. When they start to sizzle, add the curry leaves, and green or red chillies and cook for about 15 seconds. Add the cooked israeli couscous, peanuts, lemon juice and salt. Stir well. Turn off heat. Adjust lemon juice according to taste. Add cilantro. Serve warm.