Pan-fried rice noodles team up with winter vegetables and perfectly crispy tofu for a brightly-hued, vegan and gluten-free take on Singapore noodles.
Hello!
I can't believe it's been nearly 3 weeks since I saw you last. I've missed you! But there was a good reason: I've been working hard behind the scenes to put some finishing touches on my cookbook.
It was nice to take a break from staring at sweet, decadent recipes and do some savory cooking with one of my favorite gals. Emma drove down from Napa, showed me how to make the crispiest, tastiest tofu in the world, helped me whip up these noodles, modeled said noodles. We discussed our shared love of Meg Ryan rom coms, cats of the masochistic variety, and nerded out on vegetables.
I've been on a bit of a health kick these last few weeks, getting up early to get to a yoga or dance fitness class, and still eating everything I love, just in smaller portions. It's been feeling great, like a mini, loosey-goosey personal detox in just the way I like it. We've had this minestrone, these smoothies, lots of salads, and many meals out at our favorite local spots. (Don't worry - I still ate my fair share of these for breakfast.)
I'm a firm believer that "healthy" means different things to different bodies. To some, it's eating raw food, to others it's eating slow-cooked soups and stews. To some it's eating meat, to others not so much. To some it's avoiding gluten or grains altogether, and to others it's loading up on whole grains and legumes. Then there's the mental and emotional health of feeling calm and relaxed about your choices, and that's just as important. Maybe that looks like having some flexibility around what you eat and indulging every so often without beating yourself up inside.
But if there's one thing that we're always committed to in the Bojon kitchen, it's buying organic whenever possible. This struck home when Spice Society sent me a box full of lovely spices and the reminder that it's extra important to go organic with herbs and spices, since they are condensed versions of themselves and the conventional versions tend to be extra-dense with nasty stuff. I always buy organic spices anyway, but I was especially blown away by their offerings. Their toasted cinnamon enhanced the warm flavor of these flans. Their dried oregano made a cheesy tomato baked pasta really pop, and Emma and I couldn't stop talking about how amazing their extra-vibrant curry powder tasted in these noodles.
This dish has roots in Singapore noodles, a Chinese take-out specialty with questionable origins. I've never tasted the classic version – probably because they're often filled with all sorts of sketchy meat. But I turned to the authority on all things delicious and plant-based: my girl Dana at Minimalist Baker for a Singapore starting point, and Emma and I put our own wintery take on things, along with Emma's flawless crispy tofu.
First, tofu is marinated in a mixture of tamari, rice vinegar, garlic, oil and chili sauce, then dredged in curried cornstarch and pan fried until crusty. The marinade doubles as a braising sauce for vegetables, and the whole thing is tossed with pan-fried rice noodles redolent with curry powder.
This dish has several steps, but all are quite straight forward, and you're rewarded with a spectacularly colorful dish that feels nourishing and bright, especially during the winter months. Leftovers reheat brilliantly.
Happy cooking!
*Thanks for reading! For more Bojon Gourmet in your life, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest, purchase my gluten-free cookbook Alternative Baker, or subscribe to receive new posts via email. And if you make these curried noodles, I’d love to see! Tag your Instagram snaps @The_Bojon_Gourmet and #bojongourmet.*
Curried Noodles with Crispy Tofu & Winter Vegetables {gluten-free & vegan} and a Spice Society Giveaway
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Noodles:
- 12 ounces brown rice spaghetti such as these (or other noodles of your choice) (340 g)
Tofu and Marinade:
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar (80 ml)
- ¼ cup tamari (60 ml)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as sunflower (30 ml)
- 1-2 teaspoons Vietnamese chili garlic sauce, or sriracha, plus more for serving (more or less, to taste)
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic (such as Spice Society)
- 1 pound firm or extra firm tofu
To finish the tofu:
- ½ cup cornstarch (60 g)
- 2 teaspoons curry powder (such as Spice Society)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated garlic (such as Spice Society)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt
- 2-4 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as sunflower (30-60 ml)
To finish the noodles:
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as sunflower (45 ml)
- 2 tablespoons tamari (30 ml)
- 2 teaspoons curry powder (such as Spice Society)
Vegetables:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as sunflower (30 ml)
- 1 bunch scallions, cut into 1-inch lengths
- ½ pound broccoli or broccolini florets (4 cups)
- ½ pound cauliflower florets (2 cups)
- 2 large carrots, cut into matchsticks
- 1 cup finely shredded red cabbage (1/4 of a small head)
- marinade from tofu, above (scant 1/2 cup)
Instructions
Prepare the tofu:
- In a large, shallow bowl or baking dish, stir together the rice vinegar, tamari, chili sauce and granulated garlic. Press the tofu firmly between a double layer of paper towels to extract the water and cut into bite-sized pieces (I like rectangles roughly the size of my thumb). Toss the tofu in the marinade and place in a single layer if possible. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and preferably 3 - 4 or up to overnight, tossing occasionally if needed.
Prepare the noodles:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook until very al dente, a minute or so less than you normally would – they will cook more as they are fried. Drain the noodles and rinse with cool water until the noodles are cold. Toss with a drizzle of oil to keep the noodles from sticking. Cover and chill until cold, 30 minutes or up to overnight.
Finish the tofu:
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, 2 teaspoons curry powder, 1 ½ teaspoons granulated garlic and the salt. Reserving the marinade, drain the tofu well through a strainer and into a bowl. Place a third of the tofu in the bowl with the cornstarch mixture, and toss to coat. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a wide skillet (eco nonstick and seasoned cast iron both work well) set over a medium flame until it shimmers. Add the tofu in a single layer, shaking off excess coating. Cook until golden on the first side, 1-2 minutes, then turn each piece and cook on each side until golden, about a minute. Scoop the tofu onto a plate lined with two layers of paper towels to drain. Repeat with the remaining tofu, adding more oil to the pan as needed.
Cook the vegetables:
- Wipe out the skillet and add 2 tablespoons oil, heating over a medium-high flame until it shimmers. Add the carrots, tossing to cook, 1 minute. Add the cauliflower, tossing to cook, 1 minute. Add the broccolini and the reserved marinade. Increase the heat to high and cook, tossing occasionally, until the broccolini is bright green, 2 minutes. Toss in the cabbage and scallions, tossing to wilt, 1 minute; the vegetables will continue to cook from residual heat, so keep them a little firmer than you want. Remove the vegetables to a large bowl (the one you had the marinade in is great) and spread it out a bit to allow the steam to release.
Finish the noodles:
- Wipe out the skillet, add 3 tablespoons sunflower oil, and heat over medium-high until the oil shimmers. Use your fingers to unstick the noodles a bit and add them to the hot pan, letting them sit for a minute or two to sear as you sprinkle the tamari and curry powder over those bad boys. Gently toss the noodles to coat them in the goodness and heat through, trying your darndest to break them up as little as possible.
- Scrape the noodles onto a platter and top with the vegetables and tofu. Serve right away, passing extra chili garlic sauce or sriracha at the table if you like. Leftovers keep well, refrigerated airtight, for up to a few days. A microwave is your best bet for reheating, but a hot skillet or oven will work, too.
Tori says
I'm so excited about the book! This is a gorgeous plateful of noodles. I love all the different colors!
Alanna says
Aw, thank you so much Tori! <3
Angela - Patisserie Makes Perfect says
Oh see I'm not really a noodles fan - but this may have just changed that. The spaghetti like quality of these noodles really appeals to me and I love tofu.
Caterina says
Just added it to next week's menu (post this weekend's juice cleanse, yikes). Is granulated garlic more like garlic salt or powder? Or would either work? YUM and totally inviting photos as always. Can I come live in your kitchen?
Alanna says
Eek, good luck with that! Yes, garlic powder; salt might be too salty. Please come live in my kitchen!!!
Katrina says
This looks so delicious! Perfect for winter and with so much colour!
Alanna says
Thanks!
Izzy @ she likes food says
I've been wondering what the secret to crispy tofu was! I need to start coating mine with corn starch! I've been craving a delicious and healthy noodle bowl just like this! I hope you are having a great 2016 so far Alanna, I can't wait for your cookbook!!!
Alanna says
Thanks Izzy! Yeah, the cornstarch works wonders here. Kudos to Emma for figuring that one out!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens says
Hahaha! Your questionable origins comment made me laugh, and as someone who is Chinese and still raises her eyebrows/looks at the food questionably when takeout boxes are opened, I really appreciated it. These noodles (and the crispy tofu!) sound super yummy, there's no question about that! ;)
Alanna says
Hahaha, thanks Genevieve!
Arthur in the Garden! says
Yummy!
Alanna says
Thanks!
valentina | sweet kabocha says
Amazing recipe, I totally love how it looks!
Alanna says
Grazie cara!
Christine // my natural kitchen says
Alanna I know I can always count on your recipes to be vibrant and somehow be exactly what I want to eat! I just bought some sprouted tofu, but had no plans for what to do with it. I cannot wait to try these noodles and crispy tofu! Love all of this, lady! Happy 2016 to you!! xo
Alanna says
Aw, perfect! Lemme know how you like em if you give em a go. xo!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
Thank you for always inspiring me when I come to your space, Alanna. It wont be long before this recipe is cooked up my kitchen and devoured! I'm thrilled about your book arrival a few months away and look forward to all the delicious recipes at each turn. No doubt, supporting organic is such an important thing to do.. Love the work Spice Society does! Thank you for this opportunity! And good for you getting up earlier each day and committing to YOU time! xo
Alanna says
You are SO sweet, Traci - thanks a million for the kind and thoughtful words. Xo!
Amanda says
I've always wondered how to get that wonderful lightly crispy tofu texture while allowing it to keep its shape! I'm definitely going to try this. The flavor combinations look so good. I can just imagine how much I'm going to love this. I hear you re: a break from sweets after weeks of working on the book. So exciting though.
Alanna says
Thanks lovely! Let me know if you give these a go. :)
DessertForTwo says
This looks like dinner tonight! So lovely :)
I definitely missed you, and I'm glad you're back! Happy New Year <3
Alanna says
Thanks Christina! Happy New Year to you too. <3
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I'm craving a big bowl of healthy comfort food and I think I just found it! This is exactly what I want for dinner tonight :).
Alanna says
Aw, thanks Laura! Know what I want for dinner? Raspberry amaretto cookie bars. ;)
Gaby Dalkin says
Crispy tofu and Meg Ryan rom com chat sounds like a perfect afternoon. I'm dying to make this, it looks delicious!!
Alanna says
You must join us next time!
indugetscooking says
The noodles look so yum, and want to give it a try.
I live in India but still haven't come across curry powder :).
Do you know if curry powder is the same as masala powder?
Alanna says
Haha! Maybe. According to the internet, "Most curry powder recipes include coriander, turmeric, cumin, fenugreek, and chili peppers in their blends." Let me know if they're the same!
indugetscooking says
Hmm, I guess. We get different masala powders for different dishes here - chicken, meat, fish etc. I will try one for chicken curry, it does contain the spices.
Alanna says
Oh cool. Let me know if you think the flavors work!
Ellie | fit for the soul says
Ohhhh I really really want this right now!!! THIS kind of dish has been my jam lately and I can't get enough of it. And on the thought of living healthfully--I've found out for myself that doing what I can, a little running here, some grueling yoga there, and some hiit when I'm feeling like I need a challenge, plus healthy eating most of the time with far more sweets allowed than should be permissible, works perfectly for me. It's a nice balance without making myself feel too bad and quite freeing! ;)
Traca says
Made this today. It's pretty, but the dressing/marinade is out of balance. A bit of sugar does the trick.
Dana says
These noodles look glorious! It's so hard to find good noodle recipes that don't leave you feeling totally guilty afterwards. Thank you for sharing, so excited to give these a go!
Love your blog, it's just amazing :)
-Dana and Ali
theflexroutine.com
Claire Legas says
This was really delicious Alanna! I saw it on Facebook and thought it would be just the thing for dinner last night. The tofu was the most delicious ever! My 11 year old ate it without a look of abject disgust on her face so that's high praise.
It was probably me but my noodles did not fry well. I don't know if I overloaded the pan (maybe I should have done it in two batches?) or if my pan (10") was too small. In the future I may just add the tamari and curry to the noodles and warm them with the veggies and marinade (which was awesome!) just to make it a little easier.
Everyone loved it so it's going in the recipe binder. Thanks for a wonderful dinner.
Alanna says
Aw, thank you for trying our recipe, Claire - I'm so glad you guys liked it!! And thanks for the feedback on the noodles. Frying them IS a bit of a pain and your plan sounds like a good one.
Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
This is lovely Alanna! I think "healthy" is different for everyone too :)
Gena says
What a wonderfully flavorful bowl of noodles, Alanna -- simple, satisfying food. I can't wait to try the dish, and I love the addition of hearty curry here!