Best Tofu Vegetable Noodle Toss Recipes

TOFU NOODLE STIR-FRY WITH SPRING VEGETABLES

Steps:

• TOFU: In a small mixing bowl, gently mix together the cubed tofu, tamari, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. We like to cover with a lid and gently shake/toss to coat tofu with sauce. Set aside to briefly marinate.
• SAUCE: If using homemade tahini stir-fry sauce or peanut sauce, prepare at this time. Otherwise, skip to the next step.
• NOODLES: Place the noodles in a large bowl or pot and cover with just boiling water. Stir and let soak according to the package instructions (or for slightly less time). They should be tender but not mushy as they will continue cooking in the stir-fry. We found 2 minutes to be perfect. Drain, drizzle with a little bit of sesame oil to prevent sticking, and set aside.
• STIR-FRY: Heat a large wok or non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the tofu along with the excess marinade. Sauté for about 8-12 minutes, flipping until each side is browned and the liquid is absorbed. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• With the pan/wok still over medium heat, add the sesame oil, green onions, and minced garlic. Sauté for ~1-2 minutes or until tender and fragrant. Add in the broccoli (or other sturdy vegetables such as onion, cauliflower, or green beans) and sauté until bright green and slightly tender but still crunchy (~3-5 minutes). Mix in the rest of the vegetables (carrot ribbons, baby bok choy, cabbage, and snap peas), and cook for 3-5 more minutes or until tender.
• Add the cooked noodles, tahini stir-fry sauce or peanut sauce, and cooked tofu into the pan. Sauté for a couple minutes, tossing constantly (tongs can be helpful) until the noodles and tofu are heated through and the sauce and vegetables are evenly dispersed.
• FOR SERVING: Optionally, garnish with fresh cilantro, green onion, sesame seeds, lime wedges, and sriracha (or other hot sauce).
• Best when fresh. Leftovers will keep covered in a sealed container up to 3-4 days. Reheat in a skillet until warmed. Not freezer friendly.

TOFU DRUNKEN NOODLES

Steps:

• Make the sauce: In a small bowl whisk all the sauce ingredients together.
• Cook the tofu: To a large skillet or wok add the olive oil and sesame oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and cook until browned on all sides, should take about 3 to 5 minutes. You might need to do this in batches.
• Cook veggies: Add the onion to the skillet and cook until the onion begins to soften a bit, another 2 to 3 minutes. Next, bell pepper and mushroom and continue sautéing the pepper starts to soften and mushrooms begin to brown a bit, stirring occasionally. Finally, add the broccoli, baby corn and snap peas. Toss everything together and cook for another 5 minutes.
• Finish and Serve: Add the cooked udon noodles to the skillet and pour in the sauce. Toss and cook for 2 to 3 minutes then remove from heat. Sprinkle with green onions and serve.

TOFU-VEGETABLE NOODLE TOSS

Steps:

• Put a large pot of water on to boil. Add the vegetables to the boiling water and cook for about 2 minutes. Remove the vegetables from the water with a strainer and place them in a large bowl. Add the tofu and mix well.
• Bring the water back to a boil. Add the soba noodles and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until tender.
• For the sauce place all the sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Slowly bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until thickened and clear. Remove from the heat and pour over the tofu and vegetables, mixing well.
• Remove soba noodles from water and place in a large bowl. Toss with the 1 tablespoon soy sauce to separate the noodles. Pour the vegetable mixture over the noodles and toss well to mix. Serve warm or at room temperature, with Sriracha hot sauce as a condiment, if desired, for more heat.

SPICY RICE NOODLES WITH CRISPY TOFU AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. As the oven heats, press the tofu (you can do this by sandwiching the block in paper towels and placing a cutting board, plus a heavy pot, can or book on top).
• Cut the tofu into 1/2-inch cubes and place in a medium bowl. Add the salt and oils, and toss to combine.
• Sprinkle the cornstarch, panko and sesame seeds, if using, and toss gently so the tofu cubes are coated.
• Spread on the prepared sheet and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, flipping once, until golden-brown and crisp.
• While the tofu bakes, start the noodles: Put the dry rice noodles in a big, wide bowl. Fill a kettle, bring the water to a boil, and pour the boiling water over the noodles to cover. Set aside for 6 to 10 minutes, until the noodles are fully rehydrated and soft. (Time may vary by brand.) Then drain, rinse with cold water, and drain again. Transfer noodles to a large bowl.
• As the noodles soak, prepare the spicy sesame oil: In a small pot, combine sesame oil, peanut oil, garlic, ginger, red-pepper flakes and sesame seeds. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook on the lowest heat for 10 to 12 minutes, until the garlic slices turn golden.
• Meanwhile, on your cutting board, make a small mound with the teaspoon of salt. Place the basil and the scallions on top, and use your knife to furiously chop and smash until you have a rough paste.
• Mix the basil paste into the bowl of rice noodles. Pile the baby spinach on top. Pour at least half of the hot oil immediately over the spinach, tossing so that the heat wilts the leaves slightly. Then add the juice of the 1/2 lime and toss to combine. Taste for salt and lime juice, and add more oil as you see fit.
• Arrange the tofu on top of the noodles, or mix them in so that the cubes hide like little treasures. For extra flair, garnish with additional sesame seeds and a drizzle of toasted sesame oil.

CRISPY TOFU WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Put a large baking sheet on the middle or lower oven rack and preheat to 500 ̊ F. Cut the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise, then halve each piece lengthwise to make 4 long wedges.
• Slice the wedges crosswise and combine in a large bowl with the green beans, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a generous grinding of pepper; toss well. Spread on the hot baking sheet and roast, tossing once, until tender and browned in spots, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cut the tofu into twelve 1 1/2- to 1 3/4-inch cubes. Press with paper towels to absorb some of the moisture; season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and crisp on all sides, about 15 minutes.
• Combine the parsley, chives, lemon zest and a pinch each of salt and pepper in a mini food processor; pulse until chopped (or finely chop by hand). Add the remaining 3 tablespoons
• olive oil and pulse to combine. Scrape into a bowl and stir in the lemon juice and 1 to 2 teaspoons water to make the sauce loose enough to drizzle. Season with salt and pepper.
• Divide the vegetables and tofu among plates. Drizzle with the herb sauce and top with the almonds and more chives.

CREAMY VEGAN TOFU NOODLES

Steps:

• Prepare the noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook according to package instructions until the noodles are just tender, about 6 minutes. Drain, rinse with cold water and drain well again.
• As noodles cook, prepare the topping: Add vinegar, soy sauce, chile oil, scallion, ginger and 1 tablespoon water to a small bowl and stir to combine.
• Place the tofu, garlic, sugar, five-spice and 3/4 teaspoon salt into a blender or food processor and blend, adding about 6 tablespoons of water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy. (You may need up to 12 tablespoons of water, depending on your tofu.)
• Place the noodles in a large bowl and pour the tofu sauce on top. Add the cilantro and sesame oil, and toss until coated.
• To serve, divide the noodles among bowls. Top with the spicy soy-vinegar sauce, sesame seeds and cilantro sprigs.

TAMARIND TOFU WITH VEGETABLES AND SOBA

Steps:

• Break open tamarind pods and scoop out flesh into a large bowl. Cover with hot water and let soften, about 1 hour. Push softened tamarind through a sieve with the back of a spoon to extract pulp, discarding seeds and tough fibers. Measure out a 1/2 cup of tamarind pulp; set aside.
• Slice tofu crosswise into 6 rectangles. Cut rectangles in half into 12 squares. Cut squares in half diagonally to make 24 triangles. Layer tofu on paper towels, pressing to extract excess liquid, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Toss tofu triangles with 2 tablespoons peanut oil; arrange on baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 45 to 60 minutes.
• Combine peanuts and sesame seeds in a large skillet or wok over medium heat; toast until fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl.
• Heat 1 1/2 teaspoon peanut oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add cucumber, carrots, green onions, and red bell pepper; saute just until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
• Heat remaining 1 1/2 teaspoon peanut oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Add garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tamarind pulp, orange juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, sugar, and red pepper flakes; simmer until sauce is combined, about 3 minutes.
• Stir baked tofu triangles, peanuts, and sesame seeds into the sauce. Fold in cucumber mixture.
• Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add light and dark soba noodles; cook, stirring occasionally, under tender, about 3 minutes. Drain. Transfer to a large bowl. Top with tofu and cucumber mixture.