Vegan Sweet and Sour “Chicken”

Have you ever tasted a memory? A flavour that instantly transports you to a sun-drenched marketplace, the air thick with the scent of spices and the joyful chaos of life? This Indonesian-Inspired Sweet-and-Sour "Chicken" is our culinary passport to such a moment, a vibrant, plant-based prayer that dances on the tongue.

In the Sufi tradition, we seek to find the Divine in every experience, especially in the nourishment we offer our bodies. This vegan and gluten-free dinner is a celebration of that principle, crafted not just for flavour, but with mindful consideration of the wisdom found in Prophetic Medicine (Tibb an-Nabawi). By choosing ingredients that balance our temperaments, we turn a meal into a true act of healing.

Temperament & Seasonal Support:

This dish is exceptionally supportive for Phlegmatic (Balgham) and Melancholic (Sauda) temperaments, thanks to the warming and drying qualities of ginger and garlic. It is ideally enjoyed during the cooler, damp seasons of late autumn, winter, and early spring, as the spices provide a defence against the cold and help counteract environmental dampness.

Delve deeper into the healing wisdom of our tradition! Discover how to identify your unique temperament and tailor your diet for optimal health with our free Prophetic Medicine Wellness Guide.

We rehydrate soy curls in a rich vegetable broth, allowing them to drink deeply of savory notes before they are crisped to perfection. The sweet and sour sauce is a beautiful balance, the sweet whisper of pineapple, the sharp tang of vinegar, and the warm embrace of ginger and garlic, all coming together in a glossy, fragrant embrace.

Let's create this taste of the islands, a dish to share with loved ones and enjoy in a moment of grateful presence.

Vegan • Gluten-Free • Serves 2–3

Ingredients

For the "Chicken":

· 2 cups soy curls, soaked in hot vegetable broth for 10 min, then squeezed dry

· 2 tbsp tamari

· 1 tsp garlic powder

· 1 tsp onion powder (optional)

· 1/4 cup arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)

· Neutral oil for pan-frying or air frying

For the Sweet-and-Sour Sauce:

· 2½ tbsp tamari (or ¼ cup for a saucier version)

· 2 tbsp Brown Sugar Twin (or brown sugar/maple syrup)

· 1/4 cup pineapple juice

· 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger

· 1 clove garlic, minced

· 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

· 1/4 tsp white or black pepper

· 1/2 cup water

· 1 tbsp arrowroot powder

· 2 tbsp cold water (to make slurry)

Optional Add-Ins for a Hearty Meal:

· 1/2 cup pineapple chunks

· 1/2 red bell pepper, sliced

· 1 small carrot, thinly sliced

· 1/2 onion, cut into wedges

· 1 tsp tomato paste (for color & umami)

· 1/2 tsp sesame oil (optional finish)

Nourishment Through Prophetic Medicine

This vegan sweet and sour chicken beautifully incorporates principles of balance from Tibb an-Nabawi. The ingredients work in harmony to support digestion and overall well-being:

· Ginger (Zanjabil): Celebrated in the Quran (76:17) and by the Prophet (ﷺ) for its ability to warm the body and aid digestion. Its presence in our sauce helps balance the cooling nature of other ingredients and ensures the meal is as kind to your stomach as it is to your taste buds.

· Garlic: Known for its cleansing and strengthening properties, it adds a layer of wellness to the "chicken" marinade and the sauce.

· Vinegar (Khall): The apple cider vinegar in our sauce echoes the wisdom of the Prophet (ﷺ), who praised vinegar as a blessed condiment. Its sharpness aids digestion and cuts through richness, creating a more balanced flavor profile.

For those with a Hot & Dry temperament, the cooling pineapple and the hydrating properties of the vegetable broth and fresh veggies can help provide a beautiful counterbalance.

Delve deeper into the healing wisdom of our tradition! Discover how to balance your unique temperament with our free guide: An Introduction to Prophetic Medicine: Balance Your Temperament.

Instructions

1. Hydrate & Marinate the Soy Curls

In a bowl, cover the soy curls with hot vegetable broth and let them soak for 10 minutes, allowing them to expand and absorb the flavor. Drain thoroughly and squeeze out the excess liquid—this is the secret to a wonderfully chewy texture! Toss the squeezed curls with the 2 tbsp of tamari, garlic powder, and onion powder. Let them marinate and deepen in flavor for 10–15 minutes.

2. Coat and Crisp

Sprinkle the arrowroot powder over the marinated soy curls and toss until they are evenly and lightly coated. You can either pan-fry them in a bit of hot neutral oil until golden and crisp (about 6-8 minutes), or for a lighter option, air fry at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

3. Make the Glossy Sauce

While the "chicken" crisps, create your sauce slurry by mixing 1 tbsp of arrowroot powder with 2 tbsp of cold water. In a separate pan or wok, sauté the fresh ginger and minced garlic for just 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the remaining sauce ingredients: tamari, your chosen sweetener, pineapple juice, vinegar, pepper, and the 1/2 cup of water. If using, add the tomato paste now. Bring to a gentle simmer.

Stir the arrowroot slurry once more and then whisk it into the simmering sauce. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce becomes beautifully glossy and thickens to your desired consistency.

4. Combine in Harmony

Add your crisped soy curls to the pan with the sauce. If you're using any optional vegetables (like bell pepper, carrot, or onion), we recommend stir-frying them briefly before this step. Gently toss everything together until the "chicken" and veggies are luxuriously coated in the sauce. Heat through for another 1-2 minutes. For a final touch of fragrance, stir in the 1/2 tsp of sesame oil.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this vibrant gluten-free vegan dinner over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice, creamy coconut rice, or nourishing brown rice. It's a complete meal that nourishes the body and spirit.

· For a Fresh Finish: Top with thinly sliced scallions, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, or a pinch of chili flakes for those who seek a little fire.

· For the Soul: Remember, the best ingredient in any meal is the love and intention with which it is made and the dhikr recited while preparing it. As you enjoy this dish, reflect on the prophetic wisdom in every bite.

This recipe is part of our series on Prophetic Medicine recipes. For more healing meals that balance your temperament, explore our Summer Healing Salad with Prophetic Medicine Wisdom and download our free guide to Tibb an-Nabawi principles.