Vegan Spicy Thai Drunken Noodles with Seared Tofu

Step 1

The Perfect Pressed Tofu for Grilling, Baking, or Cooking in a Skillet

Step 2

Press tofu ( using a tofu press) thoroughly BEFORE cutting into cubes

Step 3

Cut tofu into small cubes.

Step 4

Marinate by covering with the specified tofu marinate indicated above.

Step 5

Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour

Step 6

I used Taste of Thai Wide Rice Noodles.

Step 7

Rice noodles are much more delicate and fragile than typical spaghetti noodle.

Step 8

Place all your rice noodles in a wide mixing bowl.

Step 9

Bring 4 cups of water to boil.

Step 10

Pour the boiling water over the rice noodles until they are completely submerged.

Step 11

Stir to loosen the noodles every few minutes, so they don't stick together.

Step 12

When they are completely limp, give them a taste to see if they're cooked through.

Step 13

The flat rice noodles might take upwards of ten minutes, depending on thickness.

Step 14

Pay attention and test the noodles frequently because they'll become mushy if they overcook.

Step 15

The noodles are being stir-fried for the drunken noodles, so you want to under-cook them.

Step 16

They will absorb more moisture and cook the rest once in the stir fry. If your noodles are perfectly cooked to start, they will turn to mush in the stir fry.

Step 17

Once the noodles are tender, drain them and run them under COLD water to stop the cooking.

Step 18

Whisk Drunken Noodle sauce ingredients together.

Step 19

When noodles are drained and rinsed in COLD water, pour the sauce over the noodles before cooking.

Step 20

Stir sauce into the noodles and let sit while you cook the tofu.

Step 21

Heat wok to medium-high.

Step 22

Add onion and garlic, and cook until translucent.

Step 23

Add red Thai chili pepper.

Step 24

Add tofu and sauce, and sear tofu.

Step 25

Let it cook before tossing it around in the wok.

Step 26

Add rice noodles and sauce to tofu.

Step 27

Add 3/4 cup basil, reserving 1/4 cup for garnish.

Step 28

Add noodles mixture to a bowl.

Step 29

Sprinkle with extra basil.

Step 30

Serve with a wedge of lime.

Step 31

Serve with a side of red pepper flakes for those who want to add more heat.

Step 32

I also serve Sriracha on the side because I like it hot.