RECIPE: Sesame Noodle Bowls with Pan-Fried Tofu (from Good Clean Food by Lily Kunin)
Noodle bowls are ideal because they don’t use too many pots and pans, and leftovers make the perfect lunch the next day. This one ups the veggie factor and removes all the refined, white sugars usually hidden in noodles and dressing. We’re going for the good stuff here—you can use either soba (buckwheat) noodles or brown rice and sweet potato noodles. If you’re using the soba noodles, make sure they are 100 percent buckwheat if you're gluten free, as many are cut with wheat flour. The sesame dressing is the perfect balance of sweet and sour, and the pan-fried tofu caramelizes with pieces of crispy ginger. You will seriously want to top everything with this tofu, and dare I say it, it may just be the best you’ve ever had.
1 (8.8-ounce/250-g) package soba noodles or brown rice and sweet potato noodles, such as King Soba
3 tablespoons low-sodium gluten-free tamari
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
½ teaspoon coconut sugar or honey
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon CFDC hot sauce
2 tablespoons low-sodium gluten-free tamari
½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon grated, peeled fresh ginger
1 (16-ounce/455-g) package extra-firm organic tofu, drained and cut into 1-inch (2.5-cm) cubes
3 zucchini, peeled, shredded or spiralized, and blotted dry
4 scallions, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
2 small red bell peppers, seeded and cut into matchsticks
4 large handfuls of spinach, roughly chopped
¼ cup (35 g) tamari almonds
For the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the sesame dressing and set it aside.
Bring a pot of water to boil and cook the noodles according to the package directions.
For the tofu: Combine the tamari, apple cider vinegar, honey, ginger, and garlic and set aside. Heat the coconut and sesame oils over medium in a medium skillet (see Note). Once the oil is shimmering, add the tofu. Do not stir! Let the tofu cubes cook for 2 to 3 minutes and flip them to the other side. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, until both sides are browned. Add the tamari mixture, turn the heat to low, and stir the tofu until it is well coated in the sauce. Set aside.
Combine the noodles with the zucchini, bell peppers, and scallions. Add the sesame dressing and toss to combine. Serve on a large platter or in individual bowls topped with the tofu, spinach, tamari almonds, and additional scallions.
For best results when cooking tofu, use a nonstick skillet. Look for heavy-bottomed ceramic-coated pans when purchasing a nonstick pan, and be sure to use wooden cooking utensils, as metal can scrape the finish off the pan.
In her debut cookbook, Good Clean Food, health coach Lily Kunin shares plant-based recipes for irresistibly clean, wholesome food. With Lily's less-is-more approach, you'll learn how to create nourishing dishes, bowls, salads, smoothies, and more using gluten- and dairy-free ingredients. Her delicious recipes are complemented by the same vibrant, textured, and stunning photography that has become a trademark of her popular site Clean Food Dirty City.
Organized by the way that food makes you feel—awakened, nourished, cleansed, restored, sustained, and comforted—Good Clean Food highlights key ingredients that support healthy eating and clean living.
The book also features a “Bowl Builder” section that walks readers through the process of building the perfect grain bowl, and provides helpful advice on how to stock a healthy kitchen and prep for the week ahead. Helpful tips and recipes instruct on using the same ingredients from your pantry for beauty enhancement, like a raw honey-turmeric facemask and rosemary-coconut oil hair treatment.
Good Clean Food reinforces the notion that clean, simple food can be beautiful, taste delicious, and provide our bodies with all the nutrients and healing properties we need to thrive.
For more information, click here.