Vietnamese Vermicelli Noodle Salad With Tofu Food

VERMICELLI NOODLE SALAD

Steps:

• Combine dressing ingredients in a jar and shake well to combine. Set aside for 5 minutes for the flavours to infuse.
• Prepare vermicelli noodles per packet directions (usually soak in warm or boiling water 2 minutes). Drain well then set aside for 10 minutes to drain off exces water. Turn out onto tea towel if necessary to dry more (watery noodles = watery flavour).
• Combine vermicelli noodles with remaining salad ingredients.
• Just prior to serving, toss through dressing. Garnish with Fried Asian Shallots if you wish.

VEGAN VIETNAMESE VEGETARIAN NOODLE SALAD

Steps:

• For the dressing: In a bowl, combine sugar, soy sauce, lime juice and three tablespoons water. Whisk until sugar is dissolved. Add garlic and chilies and let stand for one hour before serving.
• For the salad: Bring a medium-size pot of water to boil. Turn off the heat. Add the noodles to the water and soak until soft, five to eight minutes. Drain, rinsing under cold water, and drain again. Using scissors, cut the noodles into six-inch lengths. Set aside.
• In a wok over high heat, add oil and heat to 350 degrees. Pat the tofu dry with paper towels. Add to wok and fry until golden on both sides, about 3 minutes. Using a wire strainer or spatula, transfer tofu to paper towels, reserving the oil. Turn off the heat. When the tofu is cool enough to handle, cut it into half-inch dice. Set aside.
• Discard all but two tablespoons of the oil in the wok, and return to high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add diced tofu, garlic, bok choy or napa cabbage, mushrooms and chilies. Stir-fry until mushrooms are tender, about three minutes. Add mung bean sprouts, scallions, and soy sauce; stir-fry just until crisp-tender, two to three minutes. Add half a cup of the cucumbers, and cook 30 seconds.
• In a large bowl, combine lettuce, sesame oil, mint, cilantro, basil and cooked vegetables. Toss lightly to combine. Divide the noodles among four (or two) bowls, and top with equal parts of salad. Garnish with remaining cucumbers, roasted peanuts and cilantro sprigs. Pass the dressing separately, to be spooned over the salad.

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.