Tofu and Rice Noodles with Black Bean Sauce
Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Randy Mon
Pan-searing sliced tofu gives it a meatiness that's deliciously offset by crunchy vegetables and a drizzle of black bean sauce (pour on a little less if you're salt-sensitive). The Asian ingredients can be found in any large grocery store.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Boil noodles according to package directions, about 6 minutes. Drain.
Step 2
2
Meanwhile, set tofu with a long side facing you. Cut tofu into eight 1/2-in.-thick slices, then lay between sheets of paper towels; gently press out excess moisture.
Step 3
3
Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add tofu and fry until browned, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Add carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, until carrots begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to plate of tofu. Halve tofu diagonally.
Step 4
4
Meanwhile, stir black bean garlic sauce, rice wine, soy sauce, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce, sugar, sesame seeds, ginger, green onions, and 1/4 cup water together in a medium bowl.
Step 5
5
Add black bean mixture to frying pan and boil over medium heat until sauce is reduced to 1 cup, about 3 minutes.
Step 6
6
Divide noodles among 4 wide bowls. (If noodles are stuck together, rinse with hot water and drain.) Spoon 3 tbsp. sauce over each bowl. Arrange 4 pieces tofu, 5 carrots, and 1/4 cup snap peas over each, and spoon on remaining sauce if you like.
Step 7
7
Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving with 3 tbsp. sauce.
Ingredients
16 ounces pad Thai rice-stick noodles
14 to 21 oz. firm tofu, drained
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
20 small, thin carrots, peeled
1/3 cup black bean garlic sauce
1/4 cup Shaoxing rice wine
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
2 green onions, chopped
4 ounces sugar snap peas, thinly sliced crosswise
Directions
Step 1
1
Boil noodles according to package directions, about 6 minutes. Drain.
Step 2
2
Meanwhile, set tofu with a long side facing you. Cut tofu into eight 1/2-in.-thick slices, then lay between sheets of paper towels; gently press out excess moisture.
Step 3
3
Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add tofu and fry until browned, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Add carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, until carrots begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to plate of tofu. Halve tofu diagonally.
Step 4
4
Meanwhile, stir black bean garlic sauce, rice wine, soy sauce, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce, sugar, sesame seeds, ginger, green onions, and 1/4 cup water together in a medium bowl.
Step 5
5
Add black bean mixture to frying pan and boil over medium heat until sauce is reduced to 1 cup, about 3 minutes.
Step 6
6
Divide noodles among 4 wide bowls. (If noodles are stuck together, rinse with hot water and drain.) Spoon 3 tbsp. sauce over each bowl. Arrange 4 pieces tofu, 5 carrots, and 1/4 cup snap peas over each, and spoon on remaining sauce if you like.
Step 7
7
Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving with 3 tbsp. sauce.
