Oyster Mushrooms, Tofu and Vegetables with Tamarind Sauce

Tamarind sauce sets this vegetarian recipe a tangy, zesty, rich fruit flavor.  Tamarind sauce goes well with oyster mushrooms, tofu and vegetables.  Tamarind sauce is not always the prettiest looking sauce for a quick stir fry recipe, but the flavor is what counts!
   
     Tamarind Sauce Recipe:
     Pull the seeds and any hull pieces out of 3 ounces of tamarind paste.
     Heat a small sauce pot over medium heat.
     Add 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil.
     Add 1 teaspoon of minced ginger.
     Add 1 minced garlic clove.
     Saute till the ginger and garlic become fragrant.
     Add the tamarind paste.
     Add 1 1/3 cups of water.
     Bring the sauce to a gentle boil.
     Reduce the temperature to low heat.
     Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes.
     Strain the sauce through a medium mesh strainer into a clean sauce pot.
     Place the sauce pot over medium heat. 
     Add 1 teaspoon of Korean Red Serrano Chile Pepper Sauce.
     Add 1 teaspoon of thin soy sauce.
     Add 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice.
     Add 1 teaspoon of rice vinegar.
     Add 1 pinch of five spice powder.
     Add sea salt and white pepper.
     Mix a little bit of cornstarch and cold water together to form a slurry.
     Add just enough of the corn starch and water slurry, while stirring, to thicken the sauce to a medium thin sauce consistency.
     Keep the sauce warm over very low heat.
   
     Oyster Mushrooms, Tofu and Vegetables with Tamarind Sauce Recipe:
     Heat a saute pan or wok over medium/medium high heat.
     Add 1 splash of vegetable oil.
     Add 1 small handful each of these vegetables:
     - chopped onion
     - sliced bok choy
     - sliced carrot
     - sliced celery
     Saute the hard vegetables for about 1 minute.
     Add 1 small handful of sliced green bell pepper.
     Add 1 small handful of sliced zucchini
     Add 1 handful of trimmed small oyster mushrooms.
     Add 6 to 8 snow peas.
     Add 1 green onion that is cut into bite size pieces.
     Stir fry the vegetables, till they become almost al dente.
     Add the tamarind sauce and toss the sauce with the vegetables.
     Add some firm tofu cubes and gently toss the tofu with the vegetables and tamarind sauce.
     Place the oyster mushrooms, tofu and vegetables with tamarind sauce on a serving plate.
     Serve with steamed white rice on the side.
   
     The tamarind flavor is so different tasting than most stir fry sauces.  It is tangy and yummy!  The mild tasting oyster mushrooms have a very light hint of oyster flavor.  This is a healthy vegetarian entree!  ...  Shawna