| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 20 mins | Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 450 | 18g | 5g | 45g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 8g | 7g | 22g | 1.6g |
Why I Love New Zealand Spicy Peanut Noodles with Tofu
There’s something deeply satisfying about the rich, vibrant flavors of the Spicy Peanut Noodles with Tofu. This traditional New Zealand recipe has an unsuspecting magic that I’ve come to love through my cooking explorations. Hailing from Texas, where food has always been more or less synonymous with a blend of robust flavors, this dish distinctly waves the flag of a different, yet equally ecstatic palette.
A Festival of Flavours
The Spicy Peanut Noodles with Tofu beautifully encapsulates a symphony of flavors in every bite. Earthy tofu marries perfectly with the complexity of the spicy peanut sauce, the crunch of the carrots and bell peppers adds a delightful textual contrast, while the sprinkle of roasted peanuts, cilantro, and green onions on top brings an exquisite freshness to the plate. Even the eye appeal of this dish is irresistible, as it paints a vibrant canvas of reds, greens, and golds.
Inspired by some of the fantastic chefs from New Zealand, like Josh Emett, I’ve tried to emulate their knack for transforming simple ingredients into a dish that is greater than the sum of its parts. The addition of lime juice and chilli garlic paste, for example, adds such a tangy kick to the dish, making it an instant hit for anyone who appreciates a good spice blend!
Tex-Mex Meets Kiwi
Yet, what I especially love about this recipe for Spicy Peanut Noodles with Tofu is how it subtly echoes some of the flavor profiles found in the Tex-Mex cuisine I grew up with. The incorporation of chili and garlic, and the lovely base of vegetables sautéed in oil, reminds me of the familiar taste back home. This dish elegantly merges my nostalgia for home-bound flavors with the exciting revelation of Far-Eastern cuisine.
In conclusion, whether you’re a vegan or not, and regardless of your culinary inclinations, this delightful dish is sure to appease your taste-buds, delivering an experience that will keep you coming back for more. The Spicy Peanut Noodles with Tofu is a unique and fulfilling meal that offers an interesting deviation from the regular noodle recipes you’ll find at a local diner. So, what are you waiting for? Pencil it in for your next dinner and give it a go!
What You’ll Need
- 1 pound of flat rice noodles
- 2 blocks of firm tofu
- 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced thinly
- 1 cup of shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup of unsalted peanut butter
- 5 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon of chili garlic paste
- 1 cup of water
- 1/4 cup of lime juice
- 1/2 cup of chopped roasted peanuts
- 1/2 cup of thinly sliced green onions
- 1/2 cup of chopped fresh cilantro
Method
Step One
Start by preparing the main ingredients. Cook the rice noodles as per the instructions given on the package. Drain and set the noodles aside. Next, press the tofu to remove as much water as possible and then cut it into small cubes.
Step Two
Heat two tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Then, add the cubed tofu to the pan and fry until golden brown on each side. This should take approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Once done, remove the tofu from the pan and set it aside.
Step Three
In the same pan, add two more tablespoons of vegetable oil and heat it. Add the garlic, sliced red bell pepper, and shredded carrots, and sauté until they become tender.
Step Four
While the vegetables are cooking, prepare the peanut sauce. In a bowl, combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, chili garlic paste, water, and lime juice. Stir until the ingredients are well combined and the sauce is smooth.
Step Five
Add the cooked noodles, fried tofu, and peanut sauce to the pan with the vegetables. Toss well to ensure everything is evenly coated in the sauce. Cook this for another 2-3 minutes.
Step Six
Once everything is nicely mixed and heated, remove the pan from heat. Top the noodle mixture with chopped roasted peanuts, thinly sliced green onions and fresh cilantro before serving. Enjoy your Spicy Peanut Noodles with Tofu while hot!
