Tofu Ramen Bowls Food

TOFU RAMEN (WITH CRISPY TOFU!)

Steps:

• Remove the tofu from the package and drain liquid. Cut tofu into half lengthwise and place it in a large bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, which helps to extract liquid. Drain off excess liquid released in the microwave. Place the two pieces on a towel; place another folded towel on top and add a cutting board and a heavy object. Allow to press for 15 minutes until the water is drained.
• Slice the onion. Slice the mushrooms. Thinly slice the cabbage. Thinly slice the green onions. Thinly slice the garlic. Slice carrots into matchsticks.
• Cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes. Heat 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil and 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium high heat. Add the tofu and cook for about 10 minutes until lightly browned and crisp on all sides, turning occasionally. Meanwhile, stir together 2 tablespoons miso, 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 tablespoon water. When the tofu is browned, turn off heat and carefully pour sauce over tofu (be careful, it splatters!). Stir sauce onto tofu and cook additional minute over medium heat until fragrant.
• Cook the noodles (while you make the broth): Heat large pot of water to a boil and cook noodles to al dente. Drain and set aside. If necessary, refresh the noodles under some hot tap water before serving.
• In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil and 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and cook 4 minutes until lightly browned on the edges. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until just browned, stirring constantly. Add the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer.
• Add the mushrooms, carrots, mirin, and 3 tablespoons miso paste and cook about 10 minutes until the mushrooms are tender. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce and the coconut milk, green onions, cabbage, spinach and cook until the spinach is just wilted, about 1 minute. Taste and add about 1 tablespoon more miso paste to taste.
• To serve, place the noodles into four bowls. Top with the broth, tofu, and vegetables. Store leftovers with the broth and noodles in separate containers (to avoid the noodles soaking up all of the broth).

TOFU RAMEN BOWLS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot to medium-high heat with a TBSP of oil. Add mushrooms and the white portions of the chopped green onion. If adding bok choy, add the chopped white portions here as well, saving the shredded greens for topping.
• Sauté until tender and fragrant, adding minced garlic and ginger towards the end to prevent burning.
• Add vegetable broth, tomato paste, soy sauce, and Sriracha.
• Simmer, covered, on medium-low heat for 10 minutes.
• While the soup simmers, prep your choice of toppings and cook your noodles.
• For a thicker ramen broth where the noodles soak up some of the broth, cook your noodles directly in the simmering broth for approx. 3-4 minutes or until tender. For a thinner broth, feel free to cook ramen seperately and add before serving.
• For tender carrot and zucchini noodles, add to the ramen during the last minute of boiling/cooking. For crisp texture of raw veggies, simply add them at the end as a topping.
• Give the broth a little taste and further season if/as desired. A little extra Sriracha will add heat while extra soy sauce will add saltiness and umami. For a brother, soup-like ramen bowl feel free to add an extra cup of broth and adjust spices and seasoning to taste.
• Ready to eat? Top ramen and broth with all your favorite toppings and feel free to check out the blog post for even more topping ideas! Enjoy!
• For a speedier tofu ramen, you can 100% use firm or extra firm tofu and simply cut it into smaller, spoon-sized cubes to add to each ramen bowl. Add to hot broth for a few minutes until cooked through, then add toppings.
• Drain water from tofu package. Slice the block of tofu into 2 rectangular planks and place on a stack of 4-5 folded paper towels, placing an additional stack of paper towels on top. Set something heavyish on top (I use a cast iron skillet) to make a make-shift tofu press for water removal. Allow to sit. I usually start my tofu about 30 minutes before I want to start cooking.
• Once the water has been pressed out, preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Cut each tofu plank into 8 bite-sized cubes, for 16 pieces total.
• Drizzle with 1 TBSP oil and sprinkle cornstarch or arrowroot starch over the tofu. Gently toss until evenly coated.
• Arrange the coated tofu spaced on the parchment lined sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, tossing or flipping at the 15-minute mark until nice and crispy. Add with toppings to ramen bowls just before serving.

GINGERY TOFU RAMEN BOWLS

Steps:

• Halve tofu horizontally, then again crosswise. Wrap in paper towels and weigh down between two plates to release liquid, 10 minutes. Meanwhile, stir together tamari, lime juice, maple syrup, scallions, and ginger. Cook ramen in boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and run under cold water.
• In a large bowl, whisk nut butter with half of tamari mixture; toss with ramen and set aside. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add tofu; cook, flipping once, until very crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Discard oil in skillet and pour rest of tamari mixture to skillet. Cook until thickened slightly, 2 minutes. Return tofu to skillet; turn to coat. Slice tofu; serve over ramen with cucumbers, more scallion, chili oil, and nuts.

VEGAN RAMEN

Steps:

• Crush the garlic with the back of a big knife, then put it in a saucepan with the ginger, miso, neri goma, mushrooms, stock and soy. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover and bubble for 5 mins until the ginger is soft. Strain into a clean pan and discard everything left in the strainer.
• Meanwhile, cook the tofu. Toss it in the cornflour and heat the oil in a frying pan. Fry for a few mins on each side, being careful as you turn it that it doesn't fall apart. Cook the noodles for 1 min less than pack instructions, so they retain a little bite. Drain and leave in the pan with a little cooking water so they don't stick together.
• Add the pak choi and whites of the spring onions to the broth and gently reheat for 1-2 mins until the greens have just wilted.
• Divide the noodles between two deep bowls, ladle over the broth and veg. Top with the tofu, beansprouts, carrot and ginger matchsticks, green parts of the spring onions and a drizzle of sesame oil, plus the other toppings, if you like.