British asparagus noodle bowl

Serves: 2

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 10 minutes

 

You’ll need:

 

For the tofu marinade:

1 large shallot, finely diced

2tbsp light brown sugar

3tbsp soy sauce

5tbsp water

Black pepper

1 pack firm tofu, sliced

 

For the dressing:

2tbsp soy sauce

2tbsp rice vinegar

1 tsp soft brown sugar

100ml vegetable stock

1 red chilli, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 lime, juiced

 

For the noodles:

1 bunch asparagus washed, trimmed and blanched

100g vermicelli noodles, cooked

4 sprigs mint

1 carrot, cut into fine strips

1 cucumber, cut into fine strips

1 little gem lettuce broken into leaves

Handful of coriander and/or Thai Basil

 

What to do:

 

In a bowl large enough to accommodate the tofu, mix the shallots, 2 tbsp sugar and 3 tbsp soy sauce with a little water to help mix.  Add a grind of black pepper and add the sliced tofu and marinade for 5-10 minutes.

 

In another bowl mix 2 tbsp soy sauce with the rice vinegar, 1tsp of soft brown sugar and vegetable stock.  Add the chilli, garlic and lime juice. This is your dressing.

 

Heat a frying pan.  Take the tofu out of the marinade and fry it in the pan, turning it to caramelise on each side. Once it’s done, pour the excess marinade over the tofu and let it bubble briefly.

 

Put the noodles into the bowls you are going to serve the salad in, then add a little dressing.  Top with the asparagus and vegetables, add the tofu and herbs such as coriander and mint. Finish with the dressing.