Best Naked Tofu With Cold Sesame Soba Noodles Recipes

NAKED TOFU WITH COLD SESAME SOBA NOODLES

Steps:

• Cook noodles according to package directions until they are tender but firm. Drain and rinse under cold water and refrigerate in a bowl of cold water until almost ready to serve.
• Toast the sesame seeds in a toaster oven (watch carefully, because they burn quickly).
• Combine the soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, peanut butter and chili paste.
• To serve, drain the noodles well and combine with the tofu, most of the sesame seeds and most of the scallions, reserving a little for topping. Stir in the sauce; spoon into serving bowl and garnish with remaining sesame seeds and scallions.

SOBA-NOODLE BOWL WITH TOFU

Steps:

• Cook noodles in a pot of boiling water until al dente, about 4 minutes. Drain; run under cold water. Stir together soy sauce, lime juice, chili sauce, sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon oil. Season with salt.
• Heat a large straight-sided skillet over medium-high. Add remaining 1 teaspoon oil, ginger, and asparagus; season with salt. Cook 1 minute. Add 1 cup water and bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to low, and cook, shaking pan occasionally, until crisp-tender, 3 minutes. Transfer asparagus to a cutting board; let cool, then slice on the bias. Toss with noodles and 1/4 cup dressing. Return skillet to medium-high heat; add tofu. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook 6 to 8 minutes. Divide noodles among bowls. Top with tofu, cilantro, sesame seeds, and more dressing; serve.

COLD SOBA NOODLES WITH MISO AND SMOKED TOFU

Steps:

• Whisk ginger, miso paste, 3 Tbsp. mirin, 3 Tbsp. vinegar, 1 Tbsp. soy sauce, and 1/4 tsp. salt in a large bowl.
• Cook soba noodles according to package directions. Drain noodles, rinse with cold water, then add to ginger mixture. Season with more mirin, vinegar, soy sauce, and salt, if needed.
• Transfer noodles to a serving bowl or platter and top with radishes, scallions, and tofu. Serve immediately.

SWEET AND SPICY TOFU WITH SOBA NOODLES

Steps:

• Drain the tofu in a colander, or dry on paper-towel lined plate while you prep the remaining ingredients, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, bring a small pot of water to a boil for the soba noodles.
• Cut tofu into 1-inch cubes. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of the sesame oil. When the oil shimmers, add the tofu in a single layer, in batches if needed and cook until golden on all sides, turning as needed when the tofu releases easily from the pan, about 8 to 10 minutes total. Lift the tofu out of the pan with a spatula and transfer to a new paper-towel-lined plate.
• Meanwhile, cook the soba in boiling water for 5 to 8 minutes (or according to package directions), until just al dente, stirring frequently. Drain and rinse in cold water until the noodles no longer feel sticky.
• Add garlic, ginger and whites of the onions to the skillet, along with the remaining tablespoon sesame oil, reduce the heat to medium, and cook until the oil is fragrant, stirring constantly, about 1 minute.
• Add cooked and drained soba noodles to the pan, along with soy sauce, sugar, black pepper, red pepper and reserved green onions; toss together until the noodles are coated. Gently toss in the tofu until all the pieces are covered in the sauce.
• Remove from the heat, and sprinkle cucumber, radish and cilantro on top. Serve warm or at room temperature, with lime.