When it comes to easy, nutritious, and mouthwatering meals, noodles and spinach with tofu stands out as a delightful culinary creation. This versatile dish combines the delicate flavors of tender noodles, vibrant spinach, and protein-rich tofu, resulting in a symphony of textures and tastes that will tantalize your palate. Whether you're a seasoned cook looking for a quick and healthy weeknight dinner or a novice seeking a flavorful introduction to plant-based cooking, this comprehensive guide will take you on a culinary journey, exploring the best recipes and techniques to craft the perfect noodles and spinach with tofu dish that will leave you craving for more.
Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!
SPICY RICE NOODLES WITH CRISPY TOFU AND SPINACH
Herby noodles, chile oil and crisp tofu come together in this spicy, filling bowl that will disappear before you know it. But the component parts are just as valuable on their own: Make crisp baked tofu once, and you may never pan-fry cubes again. Make a scallion-basil paste on your cutting board, and forget about pesto from the food processor. And make a little extra spicy sesame oil, so that you can swirl it into scrambled eggs and smashed cucumber salads.
Provided by Sarah Jampel
Categories dinner, lunch, weekday, noodles, main course
Time 50m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Heat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. As the oven heats, press the tofu (you can do this by sandwiching the block in paper towels and placing a cutting board, plus a heavy pot, can or book on top).
- Cut the tofu into 1/2-inch cubes and place in a medium bowl. Add the salt and oils, and toss to combine.
- Sprinkle the cornstarch, panko and sesame seeds, if using, and toss gently so the tofu cubes are coated.
- Spread on the prepared sheet and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, flipping once, until golden-brown and crisp.
- While the tofu bakes, start the noodles: Put the dry rice noodles in a big, wide bowl. Fill a kettle, bring the water to a boil, and pour the boiling water over the noodles to cover. Set aside for 6 to 10 minutes, until the noodles are fully rehydrated and soft. (Time may vary by brand.) Then drain, rinse with cold water, and drain again. Transfer noodles to a large bowl.
- As the noodles soak, prepare the spicy sesame oil: In a small pot, combine sesame oil, peanut oil, garlic, ginger, red-pepper flakes and sesame seeds. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook on the lowest heat for 10 to 12 minutes, until the garlic slices turn golden.
- Meanwhile, on your cutting board, make a small mound with the teaspoon of salt. Place the basil and the scallions on top, and use your knife to furiously chop and smash until you have a rough paste.
- Mix the basil paste into the bowl of rice noodles. Pile the baby spinach on top. Pour at least half of the hot oil immediately over the spinach, tossing so that the heat wilts the leaves slightly. Then add the juice of the 1/2 lime and toss to combine. Taste for salt and lime juice, and add more oil as you see fit.
- Arrange the tofu on top of the noodles, or mix them in so that the cubes hide like little treasures. For extra flair, garnish with additional sesame seeds and a drizzle of toasted sesame oil.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 604, UnsaturatedFat 28 grams, Carbohydrate 57 grams, Fat 35 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 19 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 512 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams
NOODLES AND SPINACH WITH TOFU
A little different than some of the other recipes I've read, so I posted. This came from the Buffalo News and is my favorite way to eat tofu. It's important to put the noodles in before the spinach or the spinach with soak up all the sauce. I always add some finely chopped onions to this recipe because I like them, but iIll post the original. It's high in mono and poly-unsaturated fats (good fats), has a bunch of fiber, is a vegan meal, and most importantly, super good! Even my parents, who hate tofu, love this.
Provided by Lindsay
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 20m
Yield 4 , 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- For the sauce: Pour 1-2 tbs sesame oil in large frying pan/wok over medium heat. Ad 1-2 tbs of soy sauce, 1-2 tsp minced garlic, 1 tbs peanut butter and 1 tbs tahini. Stir until mixed into a thick consistency, about 30 seconds.
- Immediately add tofu and stir to coat. Stir intermittently, allowing tofu to brown before stirring. When tofu is browned remove from pan and set aside, cover to keep warm.
- Repeat sauce process above, being perhaps a bit more liberal with oil and soy sauce. Add cooked spaghetti and mix through.
- Add spinach and mix again. Heat and taste test for flavor.
- Add tofu when spaghetti is hot, and sprinkle with with sesame seeds.
- Toss and serve.
NOODLES WITH TOFU
Versatile Chinese egg noodles work in soups, stir-fries or noodle bowls like this one, made with tofu, veggies and a jalapeño and soy dressing.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Whisk the vinegar, 1 tablespoon water, 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Add the jalapeno; set aside.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side; transfer to a cutting board. Add the mushrooms to the skillet and cook, stirring, until slightly wilted, about 1 minute. Add the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon water and a few grinds of pepper to the skillet. Cook until the mushrooms soften, about 2 minutes. Quarter each piece of tofu and transfer to a bowl; add the mushrooms and 2 tablespoons of the vinegar mixture and toss. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook as the label directs, adding the broccolini during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and rinse under cold water; transfer to a large bowl. Add the sesame oil; toss to coat.
- Divide the noodles and broccolini among bowls. Top with the tofu, mushrooms and sprouts and drizzle with the remaining jalapeno-vinegar mixture. Sprinkle with the scallions.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 500 calorie, Fat 16 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Cholesterol 65 milligrams, Sodium 450 milligrams, Carbohydrate 68 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 25 grams, Sugar 7 grams
SPINACH DUMPLINGS WITH TOFU AND RICE NOODLES
Want showstopping presentation? Make homemade dumpling wrappers to stuff with a filling of spinach, hearty tofu, vermicelli, and fruity Sichuan peppercorns.
Provided by Jason Wang
Categories Lunar New Year Boil Spinach Peanut Free Dairy Free Sesame Sesame Oil Tofu Vegetarian Appetizer Lunch Dinner
Yield Makes about 60 dumplings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Spinach dumpling skin dough:
- Wash the spinach well. Drain and pat dry. Add the spinach, salt, and 1 cup (240 ml) water to a blender or food processor and blend until it forms a smooth puree. Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth, reserving the liquid in a measuring cup, which should yield at least 1½ cups (360 ml). Put aside the drained spinach for the filling.
- In a large bowl, add the flour and gradually stream in 1 cup (240 ml) of the reserved spinach liquid, using one hand to mix.
- Then gradually add the remaining spinach liquid a little at a time, using both hands to knead for about 5 minutes, until it all comes together and forms a smooth dough. You may not use all the liquid. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
- After resting, remove the plastic wrap and knead the dough in the bowl a few more times. Cover again with plastic wrap and let rest for another 10 minutes. You may repeat this process one more time for a chewier dough, but the chewier the dough is, the stickier and trickier it will be to work with.
- Cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap while you prep your fillings.
- Do Ahead: The dumpling skins are best used day of, but if you can't make the dumplings right away, it's best to store the dough in unrolled pieces, generously dusted on all sides with flour to prevent sticking. Cover with plastic or place in a covered container and store for up to 2 days in the refrigerator.
- Spinach dumpling filling:
- Prep a bowl of ice water. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over medium heat and add the carrot. Cook for about 5 minutes, then immediately remove the carrot to the bowl of ice water to shock them and stop the cooking process. Meanwhile, marinate the green onion in the sesame oil for 5 minutes.
- Add the bok choy to the boiling water and cook for about 1 minute, then remove and add to the ice water. Once cooled, squeeze the bok choy between your hands or in a dishcloth to drain it of all water.
- Finely chop the carrot and bok choy, then add them to a bowl and combine with the reserved spinach.
- Add the vermicelli noodles, fried tofu, ginger, green onion in sesame oil, salt, and white pepper powder to the bowl of vegetables and mix to combine by stirring in one direction to promote better cohesion of the filling.
- Set a small pan over low heat and add the vegetable oil. Add the Sichuan peppercorns and fry until fragrant, about 8 minutes. Carefully strain and discard the peppercorns and pour the infused oil into the bowl of dumpling filling. Stir to combine.
- Allow the filling to cool slightly, then crack in the egg and mix in one direction to combine.
- Do Ahead: Store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use, up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Roll out your dumpling skins:
- Using your hands, roll the dough into a long and even snake-like cylindrical shape until it is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter.
- On a large wooden board or a clean work counter, use a knife to cut even, 1-inch (2.5-cm) segments of the dough. (Note: You can also rip pieces off by hand, but it requires a certain experience, accuracy, and speed. Cutting with a knife is definitely easier.)
- Sprinkle a little flour on the board or work surface to prevent sticking (but don't go overboard). Place each segment on the board with the cut part facing up (like a little stubby piece of firewood), and use the heel of your palm to flatten it slightly on the board.
- Hold a small cylindrical roller with your dominant hand. With your other hand, hold the piece of dough by the edge. From the opposite edge, gently roll the piece of dough with your roller toward the center and then back, then turn the dough slightly and roll again toward the center and back. Repeat this several times until the dough becomes an almost-perfect circle, 2½ to 3 inches (6 to 7.5 cm) in diameter. The idea is to roll the dough out evenly from the sides so it is smooth and round, with the center slightly thicker than the edges (around 1⁄8 inch/3 mm thick overall).
- Repeat this process for all pieces of dough and use immediately in folding dumplings.
- Wrap the dumplings:
- Prep a tray or a plate by sprinkling flour on the bottom to prevent sticking.
- Put a dumpling skin on the palm of your hand.
- Use a spoon (or chopsticks) to scoop 1 to 2 tablespoons of your filling mixture into the middle of the skin. Fold the skin in half so the two sides meet and can be pressed into each other to bind. Squeeze the rest of the sides together as well. Make sure the sides are pressed fully into each other to avoid the dumplings breaking, and avoid any filling touching the edges, as the oil in the filling could prevent the sides from sticking properly. (Note: If you're using store-bought skins, wet the rim of the wrapper with a little bit of water to help the edges seal. The goal is to maximize the amount of filling in your dumpling, but not put so much that the dumpling breaks or cannot be pressed together.)
- Place the finished dumplings in your prepared tray or plate, being careful to space them apart so they don't stick.
- Do Ahead: These are best cooked and eaten fresh, but you can also place the entire tray of folded dumplings in the freezer, covered carefully with plastic wrap. Once the dumplings are frozen solid, transfer them to an airtight zip-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Boil dumplings:
- Bring a large pot of water to a simmer, with the water on the verge of boiling. Right before the water boils, gently add the dumplings-this timing is crucial to prevent cracking. Keep the dumplings moving so they don't stick. When the water comes up to a boil again, add ½ cup (120 ml) cold water and stir. Repeat two more times. Once it comes up to a boil the fourth time, the dumplings should be floating and ready to eat, but if you're nervous, go ahead and cut one open to check. The entire process should take 10 minutes. Fish out the dumplings with a slotted spoon and serve with dumpling sauce, chili oil, sesame oil, and roasted sesame seeds.
SPINACH, TOFU AND SESAME STIR-FRY
You can serve this simple stir-fry with grains or noodles, or (my preference) use it as a filling for a whole wheat pita pocket.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, easy, quick, weekday, main course
Time 15m
Yield 3 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat the canola oil over medium-high heat in a large nonstick skillet or wok, and add the tofu. Stir-fry until the tofu is lightly colored, three to five minutes, and add the garlic, ginger and chili flakes. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about one minute, and add soy sauce to taste. Add the spinach and stir-fry until the spinach wilts, about one minute. Stir in the sesame seeds, and add more soy sauce to taste. Remove from the heat.
- Using tongs, transfer the spinach and tofu mixture to a serving bowl, leaving the liquid behind in the pan or wok. Drizzle with the sesame oil, and add more soy sauce as desired. Serve with rice or other grains, or noodles. You may also use it as a filling for whole wheat pita bread.
LIGHT SPINACH PASTA WITH TOFU
A simple and light spinach with pasta recipe which I make for lunch at least once a week. My oven doesn't work so this is baking free!
Provided by directions
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 45m
Yield 3 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Boil pasta according to package directions but only till its almost done.
- Wash and clean the spinach and steam with a little water for 4 minutes in the microwave.
- Once it is steamed, blenderize it with the same water to get a spinach paste which is kind of watery
- In a large non stick skillet, heat oil.
- When oil gets hot, add the chopped garlic.
- When the garlic is slightly browned add the onions and stir fry till the onions turn brown.
- Add the tofu and stir fry till the tofu changes color a bit and looks slightly as if it has been fried.
- At this point add the red pepper flakes/powder and stir. Immediately add the the spinach paste
- Let it simmer.
- Add salt.
- When the water from the spinach reduces add the semi cooked pasta and let it cook completely. If you think more water is needed add that.
- I don't add cheese, but can also do the last step in the oven with mozzarella on top.
- I like this hot and cold--tastes good every way.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 194.7, Fat 6.3, SaturatedFat 0.9, Sodium 23.4, Carbohydrate 28.1, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 3.2, Protein 7.3
MISO UDON NOODLES WITH SPINACH AND TOFU
Vegetarian, umami, broth-free miso noodle dish. Eat as side or on its own.
Provided by bolshevik
Categories Everyday Cooking Vegetarian Main Dishes Asian
Time 25m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook udon in boiling water, stirring occasionally, until noodles are partially cooked, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine butter, miso paste, sesame oil, and honey in a wok over medium heat and cook until sizzling. Add garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tofu and cook for about 1 minute.
- Drain udon noodles and add to wok with water. Cook and stir for 3 minutes. Add spinach and green onions; mix until spinach has wilted. Stir in soy sauce.
- Ladle into two bowls. Drizzle with Sriracha and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 495.9 calories, Carbohydrate 68.1 g, Cholesterol 15.3 mg, Fat 16.3 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 20.1 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Sodium 1481.3 mg, Sugar 5 g
TOFU & SPINACH CANNELLONI
Tasty tofu is a vegetarian's best friend and this cannelloni dish, packed with protein and iron, is sure to be a freezable favourite
Provided by Good Food team
Categories Dinner, Main course, Supper
Time 1h25m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat half the oil in a pan, add onion and 1/3 of the garlic and fry for 4 mins until softened. Pour in tomatoes, season and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and cook for 10 mins until sauce thickens.
- Heat half remaining oil in a frying pan and cook another 1/3 of garlic for 1 min, then add half the pine nuts and the spinach. Wilt spinach, then tip out excess liquid. Whizz tofu in a food processor or with a hand blender until smooth, then stir through the spinach with the nutmeg and some pepper. Remove from the heat; allow to cool slightly.
- Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Pour half tomato sauce into a 20 x 30cm dish. Divide spinach mix between lasagne sheets, roll up and lay on top of sauce. Pour over remaining sauce. Bake for 30 mins.
- Mix crumbs with remaining garlic and pine nuts. Sprinkle over top of dish, drizzle with remaining oil and bake for 10 mins until crumbs are golden.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 284 calories, Fat 13 grams fat, SaturatedFat 2 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 30 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 6 grams sugar, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 13 grams protein, Sodium 0.65 milligram of sodium
RICE NOODLES AND TOFU IN PEANUT SAUCE
Smooth peanut butter lends creaminess to this interpretation of classic pad thai. Any vegetable combination works well.
Provided by Mindy Hermann, RDN
Categories Noodle Tofu Bell Pepper Peanut Butter Soy Sauce Vinegar Lime Spinach Cilantro Peanut Vegetarian Crohn's & Colitis Crohn's
Yield 6-8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high until hot. Cook tofu in a single layer, undisturbed, until golden brown on one side, about 8 minutes. Turn and continue to cook until golden on the other side, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Cook peppers in same skillet, stirring frequently, until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook noodles according to package directions.
- Whisk peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice in a medium bowl to combine.
- Toss tofu, noodles, peppers, peanut butter sauce, and spinach in a large bowl. Transfer to a platter. Top with cilantro and peanuts. Serve with lime wedges alongside.
Tips:
- Use fresh spinach: Fresh spinach has a more vibrant flavor and color than wilted spinach. If you're using frozen spinach, thaw it completely and squeeze out any excess water before using.
- Don't overcook the noodles: Noodles should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked noodles will be mushy and bland.
- Use a variety of vegetables: In addition to spinach, you can add other vegetables to this dish, such as broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers.
- Don't crowd the pan: When cooking the tofu, don't overcrowd the pan. This will prevent the tofu from getting crispy and will make it more likely to stick to the pan.
- Use a flavorful sauce: The sauce is what really brings this dish together. Be sure to use a sauce that you enjoy, such as a teriyaki sauce, a peanut sauce, or a soy sauce-based sauce.
Conclusion:
This noodles and spinach with tofu is a quick, easy, and delicious meal that's perfect for a weeknight dinner. It's also a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a flavorful and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.
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