Follow these detailed steps to ensure your Tofu Veggie Lettuce Wraps are a stunning success, with perfectly textured tofu and a rich, balanced sauce.

Step 1: Press and Prepare the Tofu

This is the most critical step for achieving the right texture. Do not skip it. Pressing removes excess water, allowing the tofu to absorb the marinade and become firm and crispy rather than spongy.

1. Drain the Tofu: Open the package of tofu and pour out all the water. Gently rinse the block under cold water.
2. Press the Tofu: Place the tofu block on a plate lined with several paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Place another layer of towels on top of the tofu. Put something heavy on top, like a cast-iron skillet, a few cookbooks, or a tofu press if you have one.
3. Wait: Let the tofu press for at least 30 minutes. An hour is even better if you have the time. You will be amazed at how much water is released.
4. Crumble the Tofu: Once pressed, unwrap the tofu and place it in a medium-sized bowl. Using your hands or a fork, crumble the tofu into small, irregular pieces that resemble the texture of ground meat. Don’t overthink it; a varied texture is great.
5. Toss with Soy Sauce and Cornstarch: Drizzle the 1 tablespoon of soy sauce (or tamari) over the crumbled tofu and gently toss to coat. Then, sprinkle the 1 tablespoon of cornstarch over the tofu and toss again until every piece is lightly and evenly coated. This will feel a bit dry, which is exactly what you want.

Step 2: Prepare the Stir-Fry Sauce

While the tofu is pressing, you can multitask by preparing your sauce and chopping your vegetables.

1. Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl or a liquid measuring cup, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, sriracha (if using), grated ginger, and minced garlic.
2. Whisk Well: Continue whisking until the sauce is smooth and all the ingredients are fully incorporated. The hoisin sauce can be thick, so ensure there are no lumps. Set the sauce aside for later.

Step 3: Cook the Tofu

1. Heat the Pan: Place a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the 1 tablespoon of avocado oil and let it heat up until it shimmers.
2. Brown the Tofu: Carefully add the cornstarch-coated tofu crumbles to the hot pan in a single layer. Let the tofu cook, undisturbed, for 4-5 minutes. This allows a golden-brown, crispy crust to form on the bottom.
3. Continue Cooking: After a crust has formed, begin to stir and flip the tofu, cooking for another 5-7 minutes, until it’s golden brown and crispy on all sides.
4. Remove from Pan: Once the tofu is beautifully browned, use a slotted spoon to transfer it from the skillet to a clean bowl, leaving any excess oil behind.

Step 4: Cook the Vegetables and Assemble

1. Sauté the Onion: In the same skillet, add the finely chopped yellow onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes over medium heat until it becomes soft and translucent. If the pan is too dry, you can add another teaspoon of oil.
2. Add Remaining Vegetables: Add the finely chopped mushrooms and shredded carrots to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5-6 minutes. The mushrooms will release their water and then begin to brown, adding immense flavor.
3. Incorporate Water Chestnuts: Stir in the chopped water chestnuts and cook for just one more minute. You want them to heat through but remain very crunchy.
4. Combine and Sauce: Return the crispy tofu crumbles to the skillet with the cooked vegetables. Pour the prepared stir-fry sauce all over the tofu and veggie mixture.
5. Simmer and Thicken: Stir everything together gently to coat. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and cling to every piece of tofu and vegetable. The heat will also cook the raw garlic and ginger in the sauce, mellowing their flavors.
6. Final Check: Turn off the heat. Give it a taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, though it should be perfectly balanced.

Step 5: Prepare Lettuce and Serve

1. Prepare Lettuce Cups: Carefully wash and dry the lettuce leaves. Separate the leaves, keeping the best cup-shaped ones for wrapping. Arrange them on a large platter.
2. Serve: Transfer the hot tofu and vegetable filling to a large serving bowl. Set it on the table alongside the platter of lettuce cups and small bowls filled with your chosen garnishes (cilantro, chopped peanuts, green onions, etc.). Allow everyone to build their own wraps for a fun, interactive meal.
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