Soya Chunks/ Meal Maker Manchuria in Air fryer

Soya chunks or Meal Maker(as most people call it) is an alternative to meat for vegetarians.😊

They are rich in Protein and help in enhancing digestion and bone health.

They are also known to reduce osteoporosis(a condition in which the bones become weak and brittle) in menopausal women.

Most importantly, they are very tasty😋

They gel well with myriads of veggies in various dishes!! I will be posting some of those recipes soon😋

Let's now dive into my favorite recipe that uses Soya Chunks and that too in the air fryer (very little or no oil at all)😄😄

Prep Time: 30 mins

Cooking Time: 30 mins

INGREDIENTS:

For Marination:

1. Soya chunks- 1 cup

2. Rice Flour- 2 tbsp

3. Corn Starch- 2 tbsp

4. Ginger Garlic Paste- 1 tbsp

5. Soya Sauce- 2 tsp

6. Salt to taste

7. Pepper- 1 tbsp

8. Red Chilli Powder- 2 tsp

For the Sauce:

1. Butter- 2 tsp

2. Minced Garlic- 2 tbsp

3. Green Chillies- 2 slit and cut

4. Sliced onions- 1 medium

5. Bell Peppers(Green, Orange, Red,Yellow)- 1 cup diced

6. Green Chilli sauce- 2 tbsp

7. Red chilli flakes- 1 tbsp

8. Ketchup-1 tbsp(optional)

9. Salt to taste

10. Sugar-½ tsp

11. Corn starch in water- 1 tbsp made into a smooth paste

METHOD:

1. Boil about 1.5 cups of water. Add the soya chunks once the water starts boiling and turn off the stove. Leave it for about 15 mins. Later, squeeze out all the water from the chunks.

2. Add the chunks to a mixing bowl along with the ingredients mentioned under Marination. Make sure the chunks are coated well with the marinade. Keep it covered for a minimum of 10 mins.

   
   
   

3. Preheat the air fryer at 350°F  for 5 mins. Now place the marinated soya chunks without crowding the Air fryer and spray some olive oil over them. Fry them for 10-12 mins and shake the chunks every 5 mins.

   

4. As the chunks are air frying, we can simultaneously start preparing the sauce. Heat the butter, saute the garlic and the green chillies. Add onions and saute till they turn translucent.

5. Then add the bell peppers and fry them, till partially done. Then, add the sauces, salt and sugar. Cook on medium flame for 5-7 mins. The colour of the sauce depends on the soya sauce(whether it is light or dark). I have used the light version here.

   

6. Add the air fried soya chunks and toss till they are coated with the sauce. Adjust the consistency of the gravy using the cornstarch paste (thickens sauce) or water (lightens sauce). I like my dish with more sauce😋

                        Enjoy it Hot with Noodles or Fried Rice😊😊😊