Description
Delightful cellophane noodle bowls bring Asian-inspired comfort to kitchen tables with remarkable simplicity. Silky noodles, crisp vegetables, and savory proteins combine into a quick, satisfying meal you can easily master at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 226 g (8 oz) extra firm tofu, drained well and cut into ½-inch cubes
- 80 g (2.8 oz) mung bean noodles
- 1 tsp fish sauce (or more to taste)
- 3 tbsps lime juice
- 2 tbsps granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 79 ml (⅓ cup) dried butterfly pea flowers
- 60 ml (¼ cup) water
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- 1 Thai chili, thinly sliced
- Vegetable oil for sautéeing
- 2 radishes, thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, shaved
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Fried shallots
- Chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Flower Infusion: Gently simmer butterfly pea flowers in water, creating a vibrant cobalt blue liquid by steeping for 10 minutes.
- Noodle Preparation: Submerge cellophane noodles in the blue-tinted water, allowing them to absorb color for 7 minutes, then cook until translucent following package instructions.
- Flavor Development: Craft a zesty sauce by combining lime juice, sugar, garlic, chili pepper, and fish sauce; simultaneously prepare a tofu marinade with soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
- Tofu Transformation: Sear diced tofu in vegetable oil over medium-high heat until golden-brown, then incorporate the prepared marinade to enhance flavor and create a glossy coating.
- Plating Artistry: Layer blue-tinted noodles in serving vessels, drizzle with sauce to trigger a color-changing effect, and meticulously arrange seared tofu on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Embellish the dish with radish slices, carrot julienne, cilantro leaves, shallot rings, and crushed roasted peanuts, presenting at room temperature for an extraordinary culinary experience.
Notes
- Color-Changing Magic: Butterfly pea flowers naturally transform the noodles from blue to pink when acidic sauce is added, creating a stunning visual effect.
- Tofu Searing Technique: Achieve a crispy golden-brown exterior by using medium-high heat and avoiding overcrowding the skillet during cooking.
- Flavor Layering: Balance the dish by carefully combining sweet, sour, and umami elements through the marinade and sauce components.
- Texture Contrast: Combine soft noodles with crunchy peanuts and crisp vegetables to create a multi-dimensional eating experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg