Making the Green Curry Paste:
In a food processor, combine the green Thai chilies, shallots, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, fresh cilantro (including stems), ground coriander, ground cumin, ground white pepper, soy sauce or tamari, and lime zest and juice.
Blend until you achieve a smooth and fragrant green curry paste. You may need to scrape down the sides of the processor and blend again to ensure everything is well combined. Adjust the number of chilies for your preferred level of spiciness.
Preparing the Tofu:
Press the tofu to remove excess moisture. Place the tofu between two clean kitchen towels or paper towels and set something heavy on top, like a cast-iron skillet. Let it press for at least 15-20 minutes.
Once pressed, cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes.
Cooking the Thai Green Curry:
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat.
Add 2-3 tablespoons of the green curry paste (adjust to your desired level of spiciness) to the hot oil and stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes until it becomes fragrant.
Add the cubed tofu to the pan and cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing it to absorb some of the flavors from the curry paste.
Pour in the coconut milk and vegetable broth. Stir well to combine.
Add the brown sugar and kaffir lime leaves (if using). These will add a touch of sweetness and authentic Thai flavor to the curry.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the tofu to absorb the sauce.
Stir in the chopped mixed vegetables and continue to simmer for an additional 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
Taste the curry and season with salt if needed. If you prefer it spicier, you can add more green curry paste at this stage.
Serving Your Thai Green Curry:
Remove the kaffir lime leaves from the curry if you used them.
Serve your Thai Green Curry with Tofu over a bed of cooked jasmine rice.
Garnish with fresh basil or cilantro leaves for an extra burst of flavor and color.