Author Notes
There are nights where you need something cheap and amazing. When I require the (near) impossible, it’s time to make a little Curry Ramen with Crispy Baked Tofu. In about 30 minutes, you can create a restaurant worthy ramen with a humble block of tofu and the remnants of your veggie drawer.
The method for the crispy baked tofu came from an article on Food52 for Crispy Sesame Baked Tofu & Shiitake Mushrooms. I loved the tofu method so much, I use it for just about everything. It’s effortless, easy to clean up and the results are superb. Light, crispy tofu without all of the hassle of frying. If you’re short on time or supplies, skip the marinade. It definitely adds a worthy dimension, but there are nights you just can’t be expected to patiently marinade anything.
My favorite curry paste is Thai and True. It’s made right here in Portland, but like most things, you can Amazon it right up to your door. Curries can vary quite a lot, so try a few and find one that you’re really into. —Katie Koteen
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Ingredients
- Crispy Tofu
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14 ounces
extra firm tofu
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1/4 cup
soy sauce
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1/4 cup
coconut sugar
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1
small lime, juiced
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1/2 tablespoon
fresh ginger, grated
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2 tablespoons
vegetable or peanut oil
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1 tablespoon
panko
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1 tablespoon
cornstarch
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1 tablespoon
sesame seeds
- Ramen
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2 packets
dried ramen or equivalent fresh ramen noodles
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1
baby bok choy, quartered lengthwise
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1
generous handful broccoli, cut in small flourettes
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1/2 cup
frozen corn
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2 teaspoons
curry paste (more or less to your liking)
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4 tablespoons
coconut cream (more or less to your liking of creaminess to heat ratio)
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soy sauce, to taste
Directions
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Press the tofu with several layers of paper towel to remove as much water as possible. Cut the tofu into ½-inch slabs and press with paper towels again. Alternatively, you can dice the tofu into 1-inch cubes.
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To prepare the marinade, first combine the soy sauce and coconut sugar in a small mixing bowl. Microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring in between, until the coconut sugar dissolves. This should take less than a minute. Add the lime juice and fresh ginger. Whisk to combine.
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Transfer the tofu to a shallow baking dish and pour in the marinade. Move the pieces around so each is completely coated. Cover and place in the fridge for at least an hours, flipping the pieces over and recovering with the marinade half way through.
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Preheat oven to 400 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Remove the tofu from the marinade and press with paper towels to remove excess marinade.
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In a medium bowl add 2 tbsp. vegetable or peanut oil. Add tofu to the bowl and toss gently to coat.
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Add panko, cornstarch and sesame seeds to tofu. Toss gently until coated and pour out onto your prepared baking sheet.
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Bake tofu for 30-40 minutes, turning half way through.
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Bring water to a boil over medium heat. Cook your noodles according to package directions. Two minutes before ramen is done, add bok choy , broccoli and corn to the water. Cook until vegetables are just done and broccoli and bok choy are bright green.
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Remove noodles and vegetables from heat. Add curry paste, coconut cream and soy sauce to taste. Add baked tofu just before serving.
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