I usually base my meals on what I know I have for food in the house and what I know needs to be eaten. I was a little surprised when muling around in the freezer to find a block of extra firm tofu. (I don't remember buying). Maybe a tofu fairy left it in there for me, or maybe it has been in there for years and I just am now stumbling upon it. Either way, I found it and it had to be eaten. So I cooked it up, and I cooked it up nice and good.
Tofu is a pretty vertical food, being that its basically a flavorless block of protein. It can go sweet or savory, mashed, chopped or blended. Add fresh garlic, any type of sauce or even peanut butter. (the possibilities are quite endless) I was going for a dinner dish so I decided on a simple cubed tofu with lots of ginger and garlic (so good to ward of those winter sicko bugs out there) and baked it up nice and crispy with fresh bright green broccoli and soba noodle. Quick, easy, tasty and healthy.. I did it again. Thanks tofu fairy!
This noodle dish is super easy to make and take only about a half hour. We start with extra firm tofu, a package of buckwheat soba noodle, a nice big broccoli crown, honey, fresh ginger, garlic and soy sauce. oil for pan and lime for a finish. Nothing fancy.
Dice the tofu into small cubes and place onto a clean dish towel and pat dry…It really helps the tofu suck in more flavor and become nice a and crispy.
Tofu get moved into a lightly oiled skillet, ready to go into a hot oven. Why baked instead of sautéed on the stove? I find that the tofu keeps it shape and crisps up better when baked. But do whatever you want….. But just bake it.
While the tofu is baking, make up the sauce. Grate about 2 tablespoons of fresh ginger and4 large cloves of garlic into a bowl. Whisk together with 2 tablespoons honey, 1/3 cup soy ( tamari or brags aminos works too) and 1/3 cup of warm water. Taste it, and if you think it needs more anything, add it. I actually used 6 cloves of garlic, but I really wanted a garlic packed sauce.
Oh and start a pot of water to boil noodles in.
After 15 ish minutes, give tofu a flip, then after about 25 minutes, the tofu should be nearly done. Remove from the oven and toss in the chopped broccoli and 1/3 cup of the sauce. Its a little watery but thats what you want, it will cook down in the oven. Now stick the skillet goes back into the oven and boil the soba noodle.
Another 10 minutes in the oven and the sauce starts to caramelize and the broccoli is cooked but still nice and crisp. Remove skillets from oven and toss in the cooked noodles and the rest of the dressing. Toss and toss and place on a plate, or a bowl, or if your into it, just eat out of the pan. (it happens)
I added a small handful of fresh shopped cabbage to add a bit more crunchy bite. I also added a squeeze of lime juice on top for a nice acidic finish. Lemon works and even a slash of vinegar would be nice, but plain is good too. What ever you do, just EAT!
A quicky yummy, noodley dinner! And leave a little extra for left overs because these noodles are fantastic cold… think lunch, or a later that night fridge snack.
keep it in the reals!
-C
Ginger Soy Tofu and Broccoli Soba Noodles
Ingredients
- 1 package of extra firm tofu
- 1 package Soba noodle
- 1 large crown of fresh Broccoli
- 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
- 3-4 cloves garlic
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 tablespoons honey (or brown sugar for vegan)
- Lime wedges(Optional)
- Chopped cabbage(optional)
- coconut or oil for skillet
Preheat oven to 425
Remove tofu from package, cut into cubes and lay on a clean dish towel and pat dry.
Tofu goes into a oiled skillet and placed in oven for 25 minutes. Give tofu a flip after about 15 minutes. While tofu is baking, make the dressing, chop the broccoli and boil water for soba noodles.
For dressing, grate fresh ginger and garlic into a bowl. Whisk together with soy, water and honey (or brown sugar).
When water is at a boil, add soba noodle and cook until done ( about 6-8 minutes..Follow instructions of package)
When tofu has baked for 20 minutes, remove skillet, toss in chopped broccoli and 1/2 cup of soy ginger dressing Return skillet to oven for another 10 minutes or until dressing just starts to caramelize. Remove for oven and toss in cooked soba noodles and the rest of dressing. If you want a little more veggie bit, add in some fresh chopped cabbage. Plate and serve with a wedge of lime or lemon or even a sprinkle of red wine vinegar.
Now EAT!