Thai Noodles with Tofu and Veggies
The Setting
The Inspiration Recipe
The Ingredients
I pretty much followed the recipe but changed/added veggies.
Plus, fresh grated ginger, a second lime, red pepper flakes, canola oil (for sauteeing veggies), 1 pint mushrooms, about 2 cups bean sprouts, and a cup of broccoli. And 4 oz whole wheat spaghetti.
We used MoriNu Silken Firm Tofu, which kind of fell apart on me. This is NOT the best tofu for stir-frying, but it’s my favorite tofu texture. It’s kind of like a smooth scallop vs. the more grainy regular tofu. I just don’t know how to get it to stay together. I did press it under some paper towels to remove some of the moisture, but then I ended up baking it because I didn’t think it would stay together in a skillet.
Tofu going into oven:
The Method
- Make marinade (in recipe).
- Press tofu between papertowels or dishcloth and weight down (this step might be skipped?)
- Marinate tofu for about 15 minutes (or longer) in sauce.
- Bake tofu at 450* for 15 minutes (didn’t really do much and just fell apart more)
- Cook spaghetti (or noodles of choice).
- Cook veggies in hot oil.
- Toss all together, including the marinade sauce.
Next time I might add a little cornstarch to the sauce, as it was rather runny and could have clung to the noodles better.
The Result
The Pros and Cons of Chopsticks
PRO: Slows down eater.
CON: VERY difficult to manage small pieces!
Small pieces:
Failed attempt with chopsticks:
What to do?
Ewwww! (The sauce was too much at once)
(Yes, this scenario actually happened)
Afternoon Snack
Despite being just a salad (well, plus hummus, almonds, goat cheese and EVOO), lunch held me over well! I always think alcohol tides hunger. I did start to get hungry around 5:30 but didn’t want to have an official snack because I was about to prep dinner, so I had a few Kashis and nibbled on some of the wheatberries I was cooking to test their texture.
We’re headed out on an evening walk. G’night!
melissa sue says
any suggestions for how to try wheat berries for the first time? they look SO DELISH (on your plate and in the bulk bin), but i hesitate to serve them to my boyf unless they’re going to be fab the first time. (he’ll try anything once, but he is quick to veto if i screw up the first time.) any recommendations?
Renee says
Dinner looks great and those pictures of you with the chopsticks/ “drinking” the sauce are so cute! 🙂 Congrats on being done for the semester!
R. Leigh says
Re: Black bean hummus
This is a fantastic recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Black-Bean-Hummus/Detail.aspx
I’ve made black bean hummus a bunch of times, and, just like traditional hummus, it’s super easy to make and adjust to however you like it 🙂 Cayenne and paprika add a really nice kick!!
Kiala says
What? No! Alcohol heightens hunger.
This is how you explain the fourthmeal.
Seriously though, it wakes up your palate and stimulates your appetite.
Um, also…cheesecloth for the tofu…on the serious.
Sidi says
Thai, my favourite!
Elle says
Congrats on being done with your semester Kath! One giant step toward being a nutritionist. The best thing about those sauce pictures is the little “I voted” sticker. So cute!
Betsy in Pittsburgh says
I love that you’re wearing pearls at dinner in your backyard. The first thing I do when I get home is change into boxer shorts and a huge t-shirt. Classy!
And I think my hair does the same thing as yours in front, where it “spouts out” on one side.
yaz says
where can i find tamari sauce, i’ve looked everywhere?
Sarah says
Hi, I usually “lurk” and get recipe ideas but I have a question that needs answered…
How did you make the decision to go back to school? I graduated last year (journalism and political science major) and have been working in an unrelated field since September. I’ve always loved cooking, nutrition, fitness… So I’m considering following in your footsteps. How did you finally decide to take the plunge?
Romina says
The first time I ever used tofu to stirfry I made the mistake of using silken tofu. It’s definitely not a good choice. It’s generally best for things that are blended.
VeggieGirl says
Gorgeous scenery + delectable meal = perfect dinner.
The expressions on your face after attempting to slurp the remaining contents of your bowl = priceless :0)
Enjoy your evening walk!
Nick says
Looks great, although I would steer away from turning the sauce into a cocktail. It certainly looks good, but I bet the sauce was a bit much in the flavor department by itself. Sounds great though!
– The Peanut Butter Boy
LT says
looks sooo goooood…I think Asian food (every kind) is my all-time favorite.
I second the notion that alcohol tides my hunger!! i’m like the ONLY person i know who thinks that. That is, unless i drink too much and then I am the drunken cookie monster eating whatever i get my hands on.
flipflops says
Yay. I had the BEST Pad Thai I have ever had in my life at a restaurant near Northeastern. If it’s not too nosy, may I ask if your sis decided to attend there?
Katers says
Ooh black bean hummus recipe -gonna half to try that one.
Alex says
Love the “I voted” sticker!!! 🙂
Cassie says
OMG your too funny with those pictures! That meal looks awesome – I never attempted to make my own Thai- but it is def a favorite eating out dining choice!
Cassie says
oh i forgot to ask- did you use regular spaghetti or thai rice noodles?
Alex says
Love the “I voted” sticker!!!! 🙂
Kristie says
Hahaha, love the sauce drinking face…
that meal looks so good!
Clara says
Kath, you are so pretty! I can totally see you in like, JCrew or something 😀
mmm noodles… ooo and man I really gotta try those kashi crackers. they always look so good when you post about them; and I love kashi cereal + granola bars. Gosh it seems that kashi has SO many products! I’ve been meaning to try their waffles too haha.
Chopsticks are fun!!
Sidi says
I forgot to mention how great this meal looks. Congrats Kath!
sarah says
congrats on being done! i noticed the ‘i voted’ sticker too — in fact i’m still wearing mine right now 🙂
mmm, sriracha . . . YUM. i love that stuff.
Betsy says
yay voting!
if it is possible, i always eat my food with chopsticks. it’s more fun and makes my meals last sooooo much longer.
Ally says
I voted today as well!
And I love those those reaction shots- classic!
smilesara says
hi kath —
a question about your exercise routine. i noticed today that you took a walk after both lunch and dinner (and you work out at the gym for 45-1hr a day most days)…in general, you often take an extra walk….is there a reason why you don’t just work out longer at the gym instead of all the walking? (this assumes, of course, that you are doing the walking for extra exercise because you don’t think you got enough of a work out, not just for pleasure of strolling or saving gas…) perhaps it will give us some insights for our own exercise/maintainance/weight loss routines!
LT says
My view on walking:
-Calming, relaxing
-Stretches legs out…helps with soreness
-BEST way to burn cals w/o adding bulk & w/o even noticing
-I’m a boredom eater so it’s a great way to get out of the house – when I don’t have food right in front of me I often realize I’m not really hungry at all!
Brittany says
I don’t love soft tofu, I buy the firm kind and the make sure to drain the water using paper towels. Last time I made tofu I bought the shelf stable kind (firm) and it basically fell apart and turned into tofu scramble when I tired to make stir-fry. I guess I’ll stick with the kind in the refrigerated section. Does anyone know why the shelf kind is so soft?
magpie says
This looks amazing! I love Asian food. It’s practically all I ever eat.
Andrea says
i’m really looking forward to the day you write your own cookbook! haha. but seriously, every thing you ‘whip up’ seems mouth-watering and oh so creative. yum!
Teddy says
YAY you voted!! that makes me happy… So many people are apathetic. Don’t care who you voted for just care that ppl vote!!
Teddy
Becca says
Mmm, I’ve been craving thai and there are no places around here that I’m aware of. I might just have to try this recipe out to fulfill that craving! I love the post-sip face!
Kat says
If Cupps gives you the recipe to the hummus, will you please please share it with us! It looks amazing! That’s so sad they are closing!
Is christie a nutrition major too going back to school- both of you look older than the typical undergrads (you don’t look old at all, it’s just some of the freshman at my school honestly look 10!)
Heather says
Sorry the dish was runny- but it looks excellent! Anything with tofu & noodles is a-ok in my book.
Your backyard is lovely, by the way! And good for you for voting 🙂
Kath says
melissa sue,
Check this morning’s post!
Betsy in Pittsburgh,
I get those killer fly away sprouts from my lovely blow dryer. A little of the husband’s gel does wonders, but it usually wears off by dinnertime!
yaz ,
They have it at my Harris Teeter regular grocery store in the ethnic section. Try asking the manager.
Sarah ,
The decision was easy when I pictured myself doing PR for the rest of my life. I thought there was no better time than the present – with no kids and being young – to go back to school. I figured out a way to make it work and the next thing I knew I was sitting in Chem 101. I haven’t regretted the decision one second.
Cassie ,
Whole wheat spaghetti – it says it in the ingredients list in the post.
flipflops ,
Yes! She’s going to Northeastern!! I’ll be visiting 🙂
Clara ,
You’re too sweet. But you MUST try Kashi crackers. They are seedy and delicious. The Honey Sesame are my favorite, with the 7 Grain close behind. I don’t care for the other flavored ones because I don’t like seasonings on crackers.
smilesara ,
LT’s post sums it up perfectly – I walk for so many reasons other than exercise. It’s so pleasant and easy to do in any kind of clothes and anywhere.
Kat ,
We look older than typical undergrads because we’re not undergrads! (Although I get mistaken for a freshman all the time). Christy is a masters student as well and a semester ahead of me. But she’s moving to California this summer 😥
Kath
Phoebe says
flipflops–What restaurant has the best pad thai ever?! I’m from Boston (though living now in Chicago) so this is important information!
one food guy says
I love sriracha! Did you know it comes from California?!
Chelsea says
I didn’t read the comments so I don’t know if anyone said this but freezing the tofu will make it not fall apart. Drain it and and cut it and then freeze it and it will stay together 🙂 I do this with all my tofu as soon as I get it home from the grocery store and just put it in the fridge the morning I know I’m going to use it to thaw. Works like a charm.
Kath says
Thanks Chels! People have mentioned freezing it but thanks for the specific details – now I know the order of operations 😉
K