Easy light, healthy noodles topped with irresistible caramelised tofu, fresh vegetables and herbs, then drizzled lightly with a zingy sauce. The tofu is so good, I could just eat a plate of that! Don't be daunted by the list of ingredients - the ingredients for the marinade and sauce are largely the same.
Prep Time20 minutesmins
Cook Time5 minutesmins
Total Time25 minutesmins
Course: Noodles, Salad
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Servings: 4
Author: Nagi
Ingredients
Tofu and Marinade
500 g / 1 lbs firm tofu, sliced into 1/4"/0.5cm slices
2clovesminced garlic
2tbsplime juice(about 1 fresh lime)
1tbsplight soy sauce
1tbspsoy sauce
2tbspbrown sugar
1tbspvegetable oil
1stalk lemongrass, white part only, finely chopped
Nuoc Cham
3tbsplight soy sauce
1⁄4 cup rice vinegar
2tbspwhite sugar
1⁄2 cupwater
2garlic cloves, finely chopped
1red birdseye chilli, finely chopped (or adjust quantity to your taste)
3tbsplime juice
Noodle Bowl
200gmedium rice stick noodles
2carrots, julienned
1large cucumber julienned(with seeds removed)
3cupsshredded lettuce
2cupsbean sprouts
Handful of mint leaves
Handful of cilantro/coriander
Sliced chili(for garnish - optional)
Instructions
Combine tofu and marinade ingredients and set aside for 20 minutes or so to let the flavours develop.
Combine the Nuoc Cham ingredients and mix well to dissolve the sugar. Adjust to your taste (spiciness, lime, sweetness) and set aside.
Soak the rice stick noodles in hot water for 6 to 8 minutes (see note 2). The noodles are ready when they are "al dente" - still firm to touch. Rinse the noodles under cold water.
Cook the marinaded tofu over high heat on the stovetop, or it is also great done on a BBQ, until caramelised and slightly crispy on each side.
To serve - toss together the noodles with the vegetables, place into bowls and top with tofu, then drizzle with sauce.
Notes
1. I like to use rice stock noodles because they are thick which I think works well with this dish, but you can also make this with vermicelli noodles (which just need to be soaked in hot water).2. You can use this soaking method for thin and medium thickness rice stick noodles, as well as vermicelli. But it won't work for the thick rice stick noodles which will need to be boiled. If in doubt, cook according to the packet instructions.