Ingredients
Stir-Fry:
- 12 ounces rice noodles
- 1 block (14 ounces) extra-firm tofu
- 3 tablespoons corn starch
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 green onions, sliced (white parts only)
- 1 carrot, peeled and sliced
- 1 bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
- 1 cup snow peas, thinly sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
Sauce:
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili paste, plus more as desired
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, or maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
- 1-inch ginger root, finely minced or grated
To Serve:
- Sesame seeds
- Green onion, sliced (green parts only)
Instructions
- Press and Cube Tofu: Remove tofu from packaging and place it between two pieces of paper towel or a tea towel on a cutting board. Place a heavy object like a cast-iron skillet on top and let press for at least 10 minutes to remove excess moisture. Unwrap and cut into even bite-sized cubes.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, chili paste, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Whisk well and adjust spice level to your taste. Set aside.
- Cook Rice Noodles: Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add rice noodles and cook according to package instructions until tender. Drain and set aside. If noodles are quick-cooking, wait to add them during stir-fry.
- Coat Tofu with Corn Starch: Place cubed tofu in a large bowl, sprinkle with corn starch, and toss gently until well coated.
- Cook Tofu: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add tofu cubes in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook each side for 1-2 minutes until lightly browned and crispy. Transfer cooked tofu to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same pan, add sliced green onion whites, carrots, bell pepper, snow peas, and broccoli florets. Cook for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Combine and Finish Stir Fry: Return tofu to the pan with vegetables. Add cooked noodles and pour sauce over everything. Gently toss to combine and cook for another 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats all ingredients evenly.
- Serve: Plate the stir fry and garnish with sesame seeds and green onion greens. Serve immediately. Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 5 days or frozen up to 3 months.
Notes
- Pressing the tofu is essential for crispiness and to prevent sogginess.
- Adjust chili paste quantity to your preferred spice level.
- Use extra-firm tofu for best texture.
- You can substitute brown sugar with maple syrup for a vegan option.
- If rice noodles are quick-cooking, add them at the final stir-fry step to prevent overcooking.
- Store leftovers tightly covered to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian