Spicy Noodle Stir-Fry With Salt and Pepper Tofu

Noodles, Dinner, Main Course, Stir-Fry

50 min

4 servings

This stir-fry, from my book “Big Vegan Flavor” (Avery Books, 2024), hits all the comfort food take-out notes with its combination of salt and pepper tofu, blistered green beans and a tangle of silky noodles, all coated in a deeply savory, garlicky, salty and spicy sauce. (Watch Nisha make this recipe on YouTube.)

Ingredients

soy sauce or tamari
3 ½ tbsp
shaoxing wine
see tip
2 ½ tbsp
organic brown sugar
2 tbsp
chili-garlic sauce or sambal oelek
2 tablespoons for spicy!
1 tbsp
vegetable broth
or water
3 tbsp
block extra-firm tofu
ideally previously frozen and thawed, see tip
1
ground white pepper
½ tsp
onion powder
¼ tsp
garlic powder
¼ tsp
chinese five-spice powder
optional
½ tsp
arrowroot powder or cornstarch
3 tbsp
kosher salt
such as diamond crystal
¾ tsp
neutral-flavored high-heat oil
such as avocado oil
3 tbsp
dried noodles
such as ramen, udon or egg-free wheat noodles
6 oz
toasted sesame oil
1 tbsp
neutral-flavored high-heat oil
such as avocado oil
1 tbsp
green beans
trimmed and halved
12 oz
kosher salt
such as diamond crystal
inch piece fresh ginger
peeled and thinly sliced, then sliced into matchsticks
2
garlic cloves
finely chopped
4
scallions
thinly sliced, reserve dark green tops for garnish
6
fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
roughly chopped
½ c
roasted black or white sesame seeds
1 tbsp

Directions

Make the tofu:

1
Drain the tofu, wrap it in a clean thin dish towel and gently squeeze it using the palms of your hands to remove excess water. If you’re not using thawed tofu, press it for 15 minutes instead.
2
Slice the tofu in half vertically, then slice each block crosswise into squares about ⅓-inch thick. Gently press down with a towel to get the water out and repeat a few times.
3
In a small bowl, combine the white pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, five-spice powder (if using) and arrowroot powder. Transfer the mixture to a small fine-mesh sieve.
4
Arrange the tofu tightly spaced on a cutting board. Sprinkle the top with half of the salt, then dust with half of the spice mixture. Flip the tofu, sprinkle with the rest of the salt, and dust with the rest of the spice mixture.
5
Line a cutting board or large plate with paper towels.
6
Heat a flat-bottomed wok over medium-high until it just starts to smoke. Then add the oil and tilt the pan to coat the lower sides. Reduce the heat to medium and add the tofu, standing back to avoid splatter. (Or, heat a 12-inch nonstick skillet with the oil over medium-high for a few minutes, then add the tofu.) Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, shaking the pan every minute for even cooking, until golden brown on the bottom. Flip the tofu and repeat this process for 3 to 4 minutes, until golden brown but not charred on the bottom (if using a wok, the center pieces will cook faster). Transfer to the paper towel-lined surface. Wipe out the pan.

Make the green beans:

1
Heat the wok (or skillet) over high until it just starts to smoke, then add the oil. Add the green beans with a tiny pinch of salt and spread in a single layer as much as possible. Cook undisturbed until beans start to blister, 1 minute. Toss and cook undisturbed for 90 seconds (if not using a wok, the beans might need a minute longer). Add the ginger, garlic and white and light green parts of the scallions and toss frequently until aromatic, 1 minute.
2
Pour in the sauce, standing back to avoid splatter. Stir-fry until the beans are crisp-tender and the sauce has reduced a bit, another 2 minutes. (If you’re not using a wok, you might need an extra minute or two for the sauce to reduce.)
3
Turn off the heat and add the noodles, reserved scallion greens, cilantro and sesame seeds. Use tongs to toss the noodles in the sauce. Add the fried tofu and use a spatula to gently incorporate.