Crispy Tofu, Ginger and Spring Onion Delight

This recipe is a delicious, easy take on ramen noodles. The sauce is the champion of this dish. If you love it as much as I do, you'll find it goes hard in all sorts of culinary contexts. Tip it on your poached eggs, spread it on a sandwich, or use it as the sauce for any noodle recipe.  Enjoy :)

Ingredients: 

The Sauce:

1/2 cup of canola oil (peanut or grapeseed would be even better, but don’t use olive oil as it’ll get a little smokey)

2 teaspoons of salt

1 teaspoon of ground pepper

1 tablespoon of soy sauce

Teaspoon of rice vinegar (white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar or lemon juice also works)

10cm of ginger, finely chopped (should be about 1/3 of a cup when chopped)

4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 bunch of spring onions, chopped!

The Rest

300g slab of firm tofu

1-2 tablespoons cornstarch

500g of ramen noodles

To serve (optional)

Toasted sesame seeds

Chilli oil 

Method:

The Tofu

1. Cut the tofu into chunks and press it in a clean tea towel or paper towel to get rid of as much moisture as you can. I usually put a bitta weight on it and leave it for 15 mins while I get on with the other steps. 

2. Transfer the tofu to a medium bowl. Now drizzle it with that oil and soy sauce, sprinkle it with that cornstarch and combine. Best way to do it is to get your hands involved. 

3. Heat up a large pan on medium high with a dollop of oil. Once it’s sizzling, place the tofu pieces in one-by-one giving each piece plenty of room. Leave to fry for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally. 

The Sauce

1. Time to get saucey. Get a large heatproof bowl and chuck in your ginger, garlic, 2/3 of your spring onions and a generous pinch of salt. Stir that shit. 

2. In a pan (you can use the same one as the tofu if ya take the tofu out first) heat up the oil for about 2 minutes. 

3. Once the oil is hot, pour it over your oniony, gingery, garlicy mixture. Watch in awe as it sizzles up a storm and the onions wilt. Let that baby sit for 5 mins and then add in the rest of the sauce ingredients. Stir until well combined, and leave to sit for 15 mins while the flavours work their magic. 

4. Cook up ya noodles. Read the packet, it’ll show you how. 

5. Drain, and toss with your saucey mixture. 

6. Divide the noodles and the tofu into four bowls.

7. Add the optional toppings if you fancy it. 

8. Serve!