Rice Noodle Salad With Crispy Tofu And Lime Peanut Dressing Recipes

RICE NOODLE SALAD WITH CRISPY TOFU AND LIME-PEANUT DRESSING

Steps:

• Place the rice threads in a large bowl and cover with hot water. Let sit for 20 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
• Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes and add 1 tablespoon peanut oil, canola oil or rice bran oil. When the oil is hot, add the tofu and saute on both sides until golden brown. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Cut in matchsticks.
• Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add salt to taste if desired. Drain the noodles and add to the boiling water. Boil 1 minute, then drain, rinse briefly with cold water, and using a scissors, cut into manageable lengths. Transfer to a salad bowl and add the tofu, red pepper, chives, cilantro, lettuce and half the peanuts.
• Whisk together all of the dressing ingredients in a small bowl or measuring cup. Pour over the noodles and toss together. Sprinkle the remaining peanuts over the top and serve.

THAI RICE NOODLE SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a bowl with boiling water; add rice noodles. Cover bowl and let sit until noodles are softened, about 10 minutes. Drain. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and toss to coat.
• Mix romaine lettuce, red bell pepper, red onion, green onions, cucumber, basil, cilantro, ginger root, jalapeno pepper, and garlic with rice noodles.
• Whisk 1/3 cup olive oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, white sugar, lemon juice, lime juice, salt, turmeric, and paprika together in a bowl; pour over rice noodle mixture and toss to coat.

RICE NOODLES AND TOFU IN PEANUT SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high until hot. Cook tofu in a single layer, undisturbed, until golden brown on one side, about 8 minutes. Turn and continue to cook until golden on the other side, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Cook peppers in same skillet, stirring frequently, until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook noodles according to package directions.
• Whisk peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice in a medium bowl to combine.
• Toss tofu, noodles, peppers, peanut butter sauce, and spinach in a large bowl. Transfer to a platter. Top with cilantro and peanuts. Serve with lime wedges alongside.

SPICY RICE NOODLES WITH CRISPY TOFU AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. As the oven heats, press the tofu (you can do this by sandwiching the block in paper towels and placing a cutting board, plus a heavy pot, can or book on top).
• Cut the tofu into 1/2-inch cubes and place in a medium bowl. Add the salt and oils, and toss to combine.
• Sprinkle the cornstarch, panko and sesame seeds, if using, and toss gently so the tofu cubes are coated.
• Spread on the prepared sheet and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, flipping once, until golden-brown and crisp.
• While the tofu bakes, start the noodles: Put the dry rice noodles in a big, wide bowl. Fill a kettle, bring the water to a boil, and pour the boiling water over the noodles to cover. Set aside for 6 to 10 minutes, until the noodles are fully rehydrated and soft. (Time may vary by brand.) Then drain, rinse with cold water, and drain again. Transfer noodles to a large bowl.
• As the noodles soak, prepare the spicy sesame oil: In a small pot, combine sesame oil, peanut oil, garlic, ginger, red-pepper flakes and sesame seeds. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook on the lowest heat for 10 to 12 minutes, until the garlic slices turn golden.
• Meanwhile, on your cutting board, make a small mound with the teaspoon of salt. Place the basil and the scallions on top, and use your knife to furiously chop and smash until you have a rough paste.
• Mix the basil paste into the bowl of rice noodles. Pile the baby spinach on top. Pour at least half of the hot oil immediately over the spinach, tossing so that the heat wilts the leaves slightly. Then add the juice of the 1/2 lime and toss to combine. Taste for salt and lime juice, and add more oil as you see fit.
• Arrange the tofu on top of the noodles, or mix them in so that the cubes hide like little treasures. For extra flair, garnish with additional sesame seeds and a drizzle of toasted sesame oil.

VIETNAMESE RICE NOODLE SALAD WITH GRILLED TOFU

Steps:

• Put water onto boil for the noodles.
• Prepare the dressing by mixing all the ingredients together and stir vigorously, set aside.
• Slice the tofu into 8 equal pieces widthwise then slice those rectangles corner to corner to form long triangles. Place in a single layer on a large plate and pour 6 tbsp of the dressing over top along with the soy sauce. Let marinate while you prepare everything else.
• Your water should be boiling so add the noodles and cook accordingly to the package directions.
• While the noodles are cooking prep all the veggies if that still needs to be done.
• The noodles should be ready so drain them and run under cold water for about a minute to cool them down. Add all the veggies, greens, and mint to the noodles, combining well (use your hands if need be) and set aside.
• Combine the gremolata ingredients in a small bowl, set aside.
• Heat a cast iron grill or skillet over medium high heat, spray with nonstick cooking spray and grill the tofu on each side for about 4 minutes or until it starts to brown. Add the excess marinade to the noodles.
• Assembly: Scoop the noodles into 6 bowls, add 2-3 pieces of tofu on the side of each bowl and sprinkle with the gremolata. Serve with extra lime wedges and extra chili garlic sauce.